By Victor Uzodinma Chukwuma
68. Ardent Desire
Rains and snows
may dim low the flame now
but stoic
is the Soul.
The bush fire
may eat deep the flesh
dwelling beyond the
peck of vultures.
Their restraining limit: pain
surely will come to fade;
so will them, hands of darkness.
And I, I will raise up a palm.
69. Fear I Will Not
I the agony,
that is my world,
I have a solace,
Death.
It is whose call
I rejoice,
whose call
I hear beyond ears.
But death without form
that is with rest.
This is the death
I look on after my mission.
When it comes,
I will go up
for I will not fear in the Lord.
Fear, you that sleep
over your mission.
Fear, you that rest;
you shall never rest.
Victor Chukwuma, Professor of Physics, renowned for his immense contribution to the development of Astronomy and Space Science in Nigeria, is a Fellow of the Astronomical Society of Nigeria and the Nigerian Institute of Physics.
