O God ! he died too young
My God ! he left too early
He flew away so tragically
When life race is done, nothing else can be done.

Jesus Christ did not leave too early at thirty three
M.L.K Jr. was not killed too young at thirty nine
Murtala Muhammed didn’t leave in a hurry at thirty seven
When life race is done nothing else can be done.

Alexander was still Great when death struck at thirty three
Bob Marley’s reggae refused to die with him at thirty six
Dele Giwa was blown up by the military at thirty nine
When life race is done, the appointed time is always wrong.

At thirty seven, Sankara fell to a hail of traitorous shots
Christopher Okigbo in the midst of war left at thirty-five
Patrice Lumumba was killed by colonial treachery at thirty five
When life race is done the grieving just have to be strong.

Che Quevara was by revolution consumed at thirty nine
Steve Biko was killed by Apartheid monsters at thirty
The Angels wanted Pius Adesanmi’s presence at forty seven
When life race is done let us steel our hearts while we mourn.

To grieving family in pain we say Pius’ race is done
To distraught friends still dazed we say Pius’ love burns on
To weeping colleagues in shock we say Pius’ work lives on
To a devastated world we say Pius’ example is now a song.

Okun Pius, your job here was well done
Okun Pius, your strive for a just world is second to none
Okun Pius, among men on this side you are a rare champion
Pius okun, rest well with our heroes in that select pantheon.

Jiti Ogunye
March 15, 2019