FROM THE VILLAGE

September 18, 2018

I hail from the village,
Where roads spit dust.
We only see tarmac on Tv's
When watching news.
Asking about the Tv sets?
Well, we're lucky
To have several sets
In our village.

I hail from the village,
Where animals and people
Drink water from the lake.
There, we have no clean water
Nor toilets.
Ironically,
People from the city
Complain about typhoid and cholera.
While we, the villagers,
God's grace is protecting us.

I hail from the village,
Where passenger vehicles
Pass once per day.
In case you wanna travel,
You need to wake up at five.
Unlike the city,
People travel
Anytime they wish to.

I hail from the village,
Where ladies' dresses
Are down the knee
And they do not wear trousers.
Unlike the city ladies,
Who not only outdo men
In wearing trousers,
But also, their skirts
Are few centimetres
Below the waistline.

I hail from the village,
Where male children
Own 'tusumba'
Unlike the city young males
Who dwell with their parents
And their sisters in one room.

I hail from the village,
Where hardworking people live.
Disciplined boys and girls,
Plenty of security and peace.
Unlike the city teenagers,
Who are crooked crooks.
For the love of my village,
This poem is for you, my village.
I speak through you.
Forever,
I'll hail from the village.

*tusumba- small houses built by young males for them to sleep in the Kamba community.