mapema nikaamka
nikadaka
mazungumzo kabla ya habari
Tumaini yuko aisiyu (ICU) hoi
madawa ya kununua
bandeji ya kutafuta
mjomba kafariki juzi
shangazi karudi kijijini
maisha magumu wasema hoipolloi hohehahe
nikauliza ‘kulikoni?’
nafsi akaninyoshea kidole:
si ulilala usingizi fofofo!

~~~

Self-critical

Early I awoke
And captured
That chit-chat before the news.
Hope is in the ICU critical
Medicines have to be bought
Bandages have to be sought
Uncle passed away the day before
Aunty is back in the village
Life is miserable, lament the penniless
I asked, ‘what’s wrong?’
My soul pointed a finger at me:
Weren’t you in deep slumber!

January 28, 2018