Sauti ya unyonge
Haizuiliki
Inaimba, inatunga, inatanda
Majamvini na vijiweni
Haizuiliki.
Niite upendavyo
Mchizi, muflis, fukara
Magazetini, radioni, jukwani
Sauti ya unyonge
Haizuiliki.
Mafuriko, moto, dhoruba
Hayazuiliki
Yanatikisa ardhi
Yanatetemesha mbingu
Hayazuiliki.
Utenzi wa unyonge
Unadunda
Unaishi moyoni
Unasumbua kuchwani
Unalipuka jukwani
Hauzuiliki.

~~~

The cry of the oppressed can’t be suppressed

The voice of the oppressed
Is unstoppable
It sings, it composes, it spreads
On verandas and in public corners
Unstoppable
Call me what you may
Crazy, broke, pauper
In your papers, on your radios, in your rallies
The cry of the oppressed
Is unstoppable
Floods, fire, hurricane
Is unstoppable
Tremours of the earth
And roars of the heavens
Are unstoppable
Prose of the oppressed
Their Pulses
Live in the heart
Linger in the mind
Explode on the stage
They’re unstoppable

February 18, 2018