Precious

I had it but I lost it
When I saw it, I ignored it
When it called, I rejected

I became as big as the Iroko
Flaunting my strength with pride
Little did I know of my weakness?
Yet I stood tall in the forest
Longing to be challenged
Seeing myself as the best amongst my equal

Not wanting to think of my Ancestors
How did they exert their strength?
Why did they have to perish despite their strength?
What do I have, that they never had?
That never bordered me
But inside, I knew all was not right
For “Nothing last forever”

I have defeated my fear, I thought
Yet there was no insurance
Where that came from, I hardly knew
Slowly it crept in,
Initially as a guest,
Soon became a threat
Suddenly became my darkness
And my strength became my fear
Till death came staring at my door-step

What could I have missed?
What could be stronger than the fortress I had built?
With my roots firmly fixed in the earth
Yet, I am about to fall
Then it finally dawned
If only I cherished it
If only I answered its call
If only I submitted to it
But that I never did
I had it, but I lost it.