POET FROM KENYA by Henry Thiong'o

Today , like yesterday . Just like every other day. Tomorrow will be past To some maybe the last. Others their worst. Some will regret, Try hard to forget. Others will smile I lie awake for awhile, Wondering about my own. Silently I moan. Today I made a mistake. A burden that tomorrow will take. So I find sleep. Silently even as I weep. Before it unleashes its wrath. I hope that death, Wakes up be for I do.

Hear me out , The truth will out . I have no doubt The culprits will be caught. One day this farce, This travesty will see day Then, people will pay Death is what I pray. Our God he who is ubiquitous Will not let those malicious Slaughterers go unpunished They took her away All alone I lie in this bed Here my last days I spend Surrounded by this sullen walls Guilt engulfs my heart Rhetoric’s clouding my thoughts I look into mine eyes and despair Now as I stare into thin air, I thank the man up there somewhere At least he gave me time to prepare But now I think it’s time he came Take this life out of this frame: That now remains my body If you can’t make it then send somebody, Anybody a robber or a murderer Send them to take away this suffering I can’t take it anymore What pains most is to see those damn pretenders They will concoct anything come see whether am dead Get well cards filling my shelf? They can fool anyone but me Lord save me from t...

BELATED DEATH Oh! death oh! Sweet death You are late. Where were you? I have been saving my breath. Patiently waiting for you . Make no stop over come deliver me. Make haste, Before it’s too late . I no longer wish to live Hurry so we can leave What is taking you so long? I am not as strong I can’t bear the pain no more Do not even knock. You are welcome Take me home, To that place. That promises no pain. Come before I die, Come, come in. Or do you despise me too? Even you do not desire to be close to me. I am an outcast. Am haunted by the past I accept the worst. This breath is my last. If you’re not here, I will come find you. Hope to be in time. To meet with him, That Supreme Being He who dwells in the heavens. It is he alone I will answer to.