From ancient tales of mythical heroes to modern-day stories of bravery and sacrifice, the idea of heroism continues to captivate the human imagination. It is through acts of heroism that we witness the best of human potential and aspirations, as individuals rise above their limitations and selflessly embrace a higher purpose.

That is what President Kagame and his fellow liberators demonstrated when they took up arms against a brutal state machinery to challenge a dictatorship and later put their lives on the line to stop the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi.

Through his readiness to sacrifice his own life to liberate yours, he reminds us of the importance of courage, selflessness, and determination in facing the challenges of life. Indeed, his example teaches us that heroism embodies the very best of our essence as people and lights the path to greatness for every one of us, if only we give it a shot, like he did.

The following poem is one in a cluster of poems penned to celebrate and capture the echoes, and lessons drawn, from the brilliance of a man who has faced extra-ordinary adversity and triumphed over a milliard of constraints to squeeze possibilities out of improbabilities.

The Warrior's Creed

Across the flat

Savannah plains,

On the tails

Of easterly winds

Softy floats

Soothing voices

Quietly retelling tales

Of a warrior

With a heart of gold;

And the bravery

Of a pride of lions,

Who vowed

To be true to himself;

Dedicated to serve

A people deserving care

Without care for self;

Ready to pay

The ultimate price

To deliver them

Hope and dignity

His life, the wing

To shelter them

From raging

Storms of hate.

His men,

To share his fate;

For theirs in an echo

Of his loyalty

To a liberating vision:

Answering the call

Through blood

And sweltering sweat,

A bond profound

And deep:

Courage

Resilience

Grit and Duty:

Virtues to keep

The author is a former Ambassador of Rwanda to Turkey and former High Commissioner to India and United Kingdom.