Hollow Lunar Poem by Chibueze Oscar Osuji

When the caverns absorb the black chromate
Of the sphere that float roundabout the wind,
Hushing its wavy path, in the night's fate;
Hither, thither the galagos' wail b'hind,
Each cry that breaks the mighty valour's heart
Of men who thought the claws of fear afar
As th' icicles; far from this village-part,
Further as mud is to the solar-star.

There, overhung above the lunar-moon
Dancing her halfling light below the wood,
The field; where the philia of dusk had come to boon,
And fend forward for one-another's good;
Evil b'gan to creep from her dying fen
Dragging the lair of death in raging mood,
While the village slept, spirits became men
Tormenting all as far as the night stood.

Everlasting, the night seem'd to have been
For old time had left longer memories
For us to meet death, whom we have now seen
To recount at intervals his stories
To sing chords of fear with longer refrain
And propound crimson epitaphs for some
Drowning below lethe in anguish and pain,
Th' ones alive'll keep praying for dawn to come.