Living in the 21st Century (10): Amidst The Fiery Mist

Louis Egbe Mbua

The day fell on September’s rains mild,

With the college open to those fresh students new

To mists of rare understanding and the array

Of wisdom brought from lofty heights,

Elders enlightened to instruct

Impacting and displaying firm discipline

So bitter like herbs to a child’s innocence

But a cure for ignorance of minds

Innocently whitened like a clear papyrus

The ancient scroll wrested from the Sea of Reeds

Harvested for knowledge, healing and baptism

With the Pillar of Fire! Brightens

The melancholic, frightful and darkened night

A scene not seen before where burns not the fire

But shows the way to the fearless,

And the children of courage who know the truth;

No guilt but thus tested, heated and moulded:

So malleably fine as to come

Out unscathed through the raging fire



September crawled into October and the rains

Ceased, so inviting the clear blue sky that curled

Around the backdrop of the sloping mountain,

The huge stone monument that as a shield acts

Against the mindless invaders persistent

In their marauding intent on destruction:

Unseen army on both sides of the tall wall

Flaming swords in hand, swords hewed from the raging

Mountain that spits out fires of wisdom that glows

Above to the heavens for the new recruits,

To see, to admire, wonder and understand

That power of light that from the top emanates.