The Rope and the Red Eyes

Barely seeing afar after the mountain

I stood on arid grounds in thoughts
Held close by a belief of a helping hand
Yet in public, life tale unfold in tears

Called to just be, where questions wore thick coats

And answers escaped the mind before giving birth to solutions.

There he was,

Standing at the peak of life

A rope in hand, a voice to encourage

An eye to assist to unearth the path
While shielding bad winds

Pierced by the world's whirlwinds

For my purpose.

There he was,

To comfort a kid

Unknown to a mother's touch

Bewildered by life's platter

Shadow breaking behind curtains

Yet he tored them to assist

Sighting victory on the kid's behalf.

There he was,

Hands burnt for my sake

Feet blisted for the same

Eyes reddened for the same

Head spinning for the same

Yes tired, but still soldiering on

For the kid, the world is never enough...

    You know, it's hard to see someone's value while there are still around only to realize their worth when there are gone. This have been my case so far, missing my dad who stood by us when mum was not around anymore. To many, this might sound strange because often men are the one who leave their families after their spouse is gone. In my case it was the opposite as my father was the only one who shielded us from family politics, which so prevelant in African families. I am sure most of us can testify about this. So reflecting to that, the day my father passed the reality of family politics became our daily bread. Having to grow up in sprint to learning to navigate the whole landmine of family drama.

Ancient DNA

Upon the rolling dust, lingering in my nostrils

You found me crowned with infancy joy

Painted up to the head,

With a tale that tailored my tomorrow in bliss

Denied being a roll of chance,

That Gambled life to be what it is.

As upon the rolling dust, blistered upon my hands

You found me chiseled to be a provider

Natured by those of the old,

That upon the sweat of my head

My stomach will find a rescue

No! Not on soft hands but on happy blisters.

For upon the rolling dust, served sweetness upon my tongue

You found me scarred by a taste of royalty

Birthed from dust the gave way to the lush-ful green

Inherited from the ancient crown

Where smoke spoiled the sky

To fill a child to life.

Upon the rolling dust, embedded on the mind

You found me endorsed in royalty bliss

Where the dust upon my feet spoke loudly

Creating a rhythm unforgettable to life

As it was the rods held me from infancy

Learning to walk on kingship roles.

Whispered Prayer on Shouted Truth

Please!

Please let me resize my mind

Before you rerun your thoughts to my midnight

For you sold me before my birth

Yet you knew me not

But crowned me, a pupa.

So, please!

Let me resize my mind

Before you endorse me to be royal

For in your eyes my crown was dust

And my blood was the anthem you love to oppress

Yet from the cradle of creation, I reign

While you belittled the dust that birth all.

So, please let me resize my mind

Before you… place me to fit your size

For you call me small to everything

Choking my words

So, they are never loud enough

For me to be heard

Yet my home is the dust you despise

A third world continent is what you deemed us

But please let me resize my mind

Before you forget who started with the figures

You are boastful about

As from the same cradle of creation

They were drawn to life.

So please let me resize my mind

Before you throw me down to eat the dust

As I reign from the land of kings and queens

Full of rhythm of soul that jumps alive

Danced to by all nation

Yet looked down upon.

So please let me resize my mind

Before you crown me, a pupa!

For you took a snap of my home upside down

Tell me to embrace my smallness

Yet I was larger than the rest

While you sketched me little

To tell a narrative that belittled my home

Rolling some dice to break me away from my royalty.

Beyond the Horizon

Birthing in a fresh delight scent

We chisel moments in doubt

Crowding thoughts with desire

Which we fear to be sent to reach

Yet in a dare to step on faith

We thaw clouded with questions.

Resentful!

We march on hope

Trumping what can be

With the limit of our sight.

Beneath the Surface

In a game of words

Where resolutions

Sound like a game of cards

We met at crossroads

Eyeing the past with envy.

Trumped upon

We watched what we thought was the sunset

Dancing at the hyper of moon edge

Urged just to step at the brink of time

Yet unhinged to the reality of seconds.

Called upon

We feared morrow as sipped our morales

Pretence in embazzled to what was love

While crowning the moon to be the day

Yet drown to candle under the bed.

Whispers of Love

On the block with a pluck

Pulling strings

Until the sound is in tune

As love played all chords

Into a symphony marvel

Attracting bees to give up honey.

Drowning in the peace

Of a piece of her heart

Striked to mine

We found our rhythm 

Switching foot, to the melody of the night

Watchful of the unfolding keys.

Drawn in a descending game

We fell while staring

Hitting the ground

To form the hearts beat

Entangled with words

On a tangent spill

"I...I love you!"

We whispered aloud.