TO A FRIEND DYING YOUNG

TO A FRIEND DYING YOUNG

KD’s very first poem as written by Rapu’m. I was going to publish one of mine but he beat me to it. Have a read below and enjoy. As the name implies, it is kinda melancholic.

*
Today, I stand here

Watching you lying there

Still and silent like Debby’s doll

Eyes closed like you’re playing dead

But you’re not playing

Cos I know how it looks when you played dead

How your eyes would crinkle at the edges

Like rumpled paper

Your lips trembling with suppressed laughter

*

No, you’re not playing

This is for real

Is this for real?

*

Yesterday we were at UC’s Bar

Drinking Star from little cans

Cos that’s what you do at teenage parties—

Drink Star from little cans—

And you got a little drunk and a little bold

Threw the shyness into the cold night

And catcalled with the other guys

Intentionally got a little drunk

Cos you’d ask Debby out tonight

*

Today, they say you’re gone

Is this for real?

*

Remember how in Drama class

We used to stage these little plays

On makeshift stages

Where the hero dies and the audience cries

But in the end we all gathered to take a bow

Dead hero and all

And the audience clapped and cheered

Cos after all this is only a play?

*

Remember how one rainy night

We walked down to Kenny’s shop

And I told you you were loved beyond measure

And you laughed and said,

Go tell it to a girl? Come away, you said

We’ll hide under these shacks, it’s raining

And you crossed your arms around my shoulder

And it hurt because you didn’t know

Didn’t know how hard it’d been for me

*

But

Today you lie there and I stand here thinking, this is for real – is this for real?

Written by Rapu’m Kambili

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25 Comments

  1. enigmous
    September 29, 05:36 Reply

    Awwwwww…so touching. I felt pain in my heart reading this, memories everywhere…this is for real, is this for real? *dries tears*

  2. GB_SHOW
    September 29, 05:53 Reply

    Wow…I love dis…can we get more of this pls???

  3. Dennis Macauley
    September 29, 06:04 Reply

    This made me cry

    My best friend died 6years ago

    Today would have been his birthday

    I remember seeing his lifeless body just before he was buried

    That image I will never forget

    Rest In Peace Michael Emeka Owhor

    I can bet you are singing in the choir of heaven

    Certainly on the front row, you won’t let anybody outshine you.

    • Rapu'm
      September 29, 06:41 Reply

      Sorry, about your loss, Dennis. I think I understand how it feels, because I’ve lost some people I love.

  4. simba
    September 29, 06:06 Reply

    Righteous… Rapu’m u too much dear.. the poem make sense, unlike some poems tht is filled with plenty confusing grammar. hugs dear.. NB who knows if Dubem is fine.. haven’t seen his comment..

  5. Absalom
    September 29, 06:06 Reply

    This is so beautiful, Rapu’m! The looooooong wait for poetry on KD is finally over and THIS is for real! #TrueStory.

  6. Micky
    September 29, 06:11 Reply

    This is very sad. Nice.

  7. chestnut
    September 29, 07:01 Reply

    I’ve never lost a close friend or “close” relative,but I’m sure it must be devastating.
    Rapum,u’re such a literary icon in the making…and to think u’re just barely out of ur teens! My mind snaps (…*ahem*…sorry pinky; I had to,lol) when I think of d amazing literary force u will become by d time u’re in ur late twenties.

    • pinkpanthertb
      September 29, 07:03 Reply

      Smh. You’ll pay for that, one way or the other, chestie

    • Rapu'm
      September 29, 07:22 Reply

      Lol, Chestnut, Pinky go kill you for that slip oh. Then I’ll write you an elegy. Thanks anyway. And thanks, all. Absalom, yeah, this is for REAL. Lol.

  8. king
    September 29, 07:23 Reply

    Wow wow wow and is it true you are just out of your teens???? Rapum you write masterfully!!!!

    • Dennis Macauley
      September 29, 07:37 Reply

      I will be accepting Rapum’s dowry!

      All thirsty men, pass through me first.

      I don’t trust y’all

  9. Lothario
    September 29, 07:41 Reply

    Wow Rapu’m…..if this is for real, I hope you all find the strength to get through it.

  10. #TeamKizito
    September 29, 07:41 Reply

    I like. This is for real – is this for real? Twas beautifully written.

  11. Jace
    September 29, 09:03 Reply

    Really nice piece and totally relatable. It brings back memories

  12. Khaleesi
    September 29, 12:03 Reply

    beautiful poignant piece Rapum, written from a deep and beautiful place in your heart. keep it up & looking forward to your taking the literary world by storm …

  13. Ola
    September 29, 13:00 Reply

    It is touching, very touching, it makes me remember my lost loved 1ce. Hw we played laughed, fought, giggled etc. It scares. Nt d death bt d fact of being alone with out dem. Waking to find dat lovely face bt 2 realize he’s dere. I have a similar poem wish I can share it.

  14. Ola
    September 29, 13:05 Reply

    Mean waking 2 realize he is nt dere. La morte est mal.

  15. Kuzaku
    September 29, 19:25 Reply

    God knows I’ll cry.

    Beautiful peice of writing, Rapu’um. Be my friend, will you?

  16. love
    September 29, 19:57 Reply

    Nice. sm1 ff me on instagram @mindocrit

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