Abebe Bekela, Miruts Yefter
…Derartu, Haile, Tirunesh
Kenenisa, Meseret, … Solomon
Eletesenbet Gudaf … and all
With a similar footfall!
Displaying a superb
Long-distance athletic feat
When many superstars
Awe inspiringly you beat
And as a result of it
When your sought-for
Fought-for
And nation- prayed-for
Dream proves a hit
And also with kudos
A stadium full of people opt
You to greet
And when spectators
Accord you a high five
It is for your country’s flag
You immediately dive!
Also on the podium
while Ethiopia’s row-wise
Green, Yellow and Red
Emblazoned flag,
Shoulder high,
Soars above
You express
Your umbilical cord-tight
National love
With tears that
Trickle down each of
Your cheek, quick.
Is it because
Reminiscent of
Each living hero
With a life sacrifice
That brought colonial
Aggression to zero?
Is it because
The bounty of the land
You grew up
Seeing first hand?
Is it because
The cherished corner
You cut in the heart of
The poor but prideful
Ethiopian neighbor?
Is it because
The unity-in-diversity
That showcases
Ethiopia’s identity
Or citizens hospitality?
Is it because
At heart strings a tug
Or , among others
Gratefulness to
Your iron-strong lung
When you hear
Ethiopian anthem sung?
Is it because a secret another
Deep down you harbor?
Is it because the Fertility
Hope and Sovereignty ideals
The flag advance,
Also Ethiopia’s being
A beacon of independence
What is more
The nation’s renaissance
Which in a curtain of mist
Before your eyes dance?
BY ALEM HAILU G/KRISTOS
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD SUNDAY 10 SEPTEMBER 2023
