The Insane Man

there are no doubts about his insanity 

it doesn't even require a psychologist's intervention 

for no man has ever been apt 

to find excuses 

and where to lay blame 

for his impeccable inability 

to chase his dreams 

and, so, he does his things 

the old-versioned way

expecting different results 

Odd Humans

It’s approaching seven in the evening. You are taking a walk to clear your head. You could use some form of unfamiliarity. You take an unfamiliar street. Amid the hustle and bustle, it is difficult to mind your own business. Children shriek and hurl vulgar (adult-rated) insults at one another. You mutter watoto wa siukuizi under your breath, because you are now too old.

Then you spot an oddity, a peculiar sight. You know what that sight means – it means the grim reaper visited a family. How do you know it? The bereaved family takes out a speaker, plays some sombre gospel songs, and places the picture of the deceased close by. The family wants you to know that death has visited them, and that they may (or may not, that’s the way things are done) need some financial assistance.

As you walk by, you look at the deceased’s picture and the family that has gathered around. Your only concern is how the deceased met his death. Was it a long illness bravely born? Was it an accident? Was it thugs? Did he die suddenly? Then you begin thinking about your own mortality.

But one of the deceased family members confronts you. She forcefully wants you to be empathetic and respond in kind by parting with your hard-earned cash. It is nauseating, that level of entitlement. You ignore her and walk on. She is not done with you and shouts:

“Ata wewe utakufa!!!” where did that come from? Really? Was it even necessary? She says it as though she is never used to being rejected or ignored. Or she had signed a pact with God that whoever she talks to parts with something. The nerve!! Benevolence is not compulsory.

In anger at her statement, you respond in kind ‘pia wewe utakufa!’She adds more insults that put to question whether she was actually bereaved or not. You walk on.

 

Do Not Plead

everything has been spoken 

and I am here to leave a token 

maybe of appreciation or not 

for I am glad you told me I came short 

I am not bitter, though I should be 

It can be hard sometimes to see 

how far down you have fallen 

not especially with pride and ego swollen 

I'd love to be here again tomorrow 

but I am gonna leave my heart to fallow 

let it grow some weeds 

because I believe it's what it needs 

do not plead, do not ask me to stay 

it took all my strength to walk away 

I'll be watching you at a distance 

celebrating your success at every chance 

Perfect Solitude

One early morning, 
I sat alone sipping my vodka, 
the pervasive silence that engulfed 

the room

spoke of perfect solitude 

I was at peace

with myself, and the world, 

and there, I resolved that 

going against the grain 

against norms 

against everything 

would lead me to happiness 

I didn't 

yet I have no regrets 

Mornings

Some mornings carry with them
hapless cold
some mornings come earlier than
they are expected.
Unwelcome.
Some mornings needlessly arouse you
from your deep slumber
blissfully unaware that you would rather
dream than face the harsh
reality of having to live
Because chasing after dreams, while awake
is too much a hassle. Unwelcome
and it is much easier to lie in bed
and blame unforeseen circumstances
for why you are still broke, poor,
Unwanted

Floating Boats

I have reached a point in life 

where I won't belittle, 

or deem it less, inferior 

whatever floats one's boats 

Life is already too difficult 

plenty of us are glad just to get by 

often applauding themselves 

when they wake in the morning 

and find that they did not find 

courage to kill themselves last night 

I won't judge the crappy music 

one listens to 

I won't judge the wicked people they go out 

with 

I won't judge the drugs they ingest 

because that would be the only things 

keeping them happy 

and what's more important than being happy? 

Not Anymore

I won't hold your hand anymore 

I won't scale mountains 

as I did before 

for I have earned nothing but pains 

I'll watch you trip and fall 

but I won't extend my hand 

I know I won't mean nothing at all

when you get a few grand

I won't jump over a mole hill 

Neither will I cross a puddle 

I won't care how you feel 

for you are nothing but trouble 

I have fixed my eyes on the horizon 

Sadly, I do not catch a glimpse of your picture 

Gladly, I have escaped a prison 

Of fake and pretentious love