Twiga katua
hewani.
Uzalendo ukachorwa
mkiani.

Twiga karuka
Dubai
Washingtoni
Pretoria

Geita
Mererani
Rufiji

Kanasononeka
Kanahuzunika
Michozi
Inamtiririka.

‘Sina kwangu;
Kwangu hewani,’
Haina jina,
Haina alama
Bila taifa
Bila utambulisho

Miti imekatwa
Misitu imefyekwa.
Mererani ya mashimo.
Rufiji ya mashamba.

Mashamba bila miti
Mashamba ya miwa.
Miwa sio ya sukari.
Miwa ya mafuta.

~~~

The Giraffe has landed, on air

The Giraffe has landed
On air.
Patriotism painted
On the tailplane.

The Giraffe flew to
Dubai
Washington
Pretoria

Geita
Mererani
Rufiji

The little one is melancholic
Desolate
Tears
Streaming.

‘I have no home;
Mine is in the air
It has no name
Has no emblem
No nation
No identity

Trees are cut off
Forests mowed.
Pits at Mererani
Farms at Rufiji

Treeless farms
Sugar-cane farms
The canes are not for sugar
The canes are for oil

October 30, 2007