You kept awake the embers of our clan
You were the breath that measured
the heart of our ethnic fire
Wherever you are, we miss you
Wherever you are, we love you
There are no more fires here
Our hearths were handed to predators
By those who became lords after you
Wherever you are, we miss you
Wherever you are, we remember you
(c) Nwafor Oji Awala
Ogale Eleme
Nigeria
Nov 2024
The central idea of "Tears for the Keeper" revolves around loss, remembrance, and the longing for a sense of belonging that has been disrupted. It reflects on the absence of a significant figure who upheld the values and traditions of a community, leading to a sense of grief and nostalgia.