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.