Farewell Ashaka
By Bashir Yahuza Malumfashi
—–
This poem is a tribute to a jonrnalist of repute, late Saleh Shehu Ashaka
—–
The pen falls silent,
Yet its echo remains,
A voice of truth
Now freed
From earthly chains.
Oh Saleh Shehu Ashaka,
Noble and wise,
Your ink
Still lingers
Beneath memory’s skies.
Well-trained
You stood
In the craft
You embraced.
A journalist refined
With excellence graced.
Through words
You built bridges
Through facts
You gave light,
A guardian of truth
In the darkest of night.
Kind was your heart,
Soft as morning dew.
Considerate in all
That you would do.
You carried compassion
In every stride.
A gentle soul
With honor
As your guide.
Professional,
Steadfast,
Devoted and true.
No compromise ever
Shadowed your view.
In the field of duty
You stood firm
And tall.
Answering integrity’s
Patriotic call.
You loved humanity,
Both near
And far.
Saw in each person
A shining star.
No walls of tribe
Nor status
You knew.
For all of mankind,
Your care
Was true.
Generous hands
That never withdrew,
To friends,
To kin,
To strangers too.
Your giving spirit,
A flowing stream,
Turned many hardships
Into a dream.
You lifted the weak,
The weary,
The worn.
Gave hope
To hearts so battered
And torn.
For the downtrodden,
You stood as a shield.
A harvest
Of mercy
Your life did yield.
Blunt for the truth,
Fearless your voice.
In justice
And fairness,
You made your choice.
No matter the power,
No matter the name,
You spoke
What was right
Without seeking fame.
A patriot’s fire
Within you
Burned bright
For your beloved country,
You chose the fight.
Easygoing,
Cheerful
With laughter so free.
You spread warmth
Like shade
From a generous tree.
A servant of Allah,
In faith you stood.
With love for the Prophet
Deep in your blood.
May your grave
Be filled with Light
And peace.
And your soul
In Al-Jannah
Find eternal release.
May Allah forgive you,
Your ranks increase,
And grant you a home
Where all sorrows cease.
__________
© Bashir Yahuza Malumfashi,
Wednesday 18-11-1447 (AH)
06-05-2026 (CE)
