Loving For Naught

despite your imperfections 
you loved the best way you could,
and that best was the only way you knew,
but she wanted more
to fill the void inside,
to erase the traumas, she went through
and the insufficient hugs she got,
but with all these demands,
your simple love simply wasn't enough
you were not enough

every single day you went 
a step further, 
scaled the cliched mountains and swam 
across oceans
but in the end, you realised 
you exhausted yourself for nothing 
she wasn't worth jumping over a mole hill 
she wasn't worth skipping a puddle 
she wasn't even enough for herself 
she never even loved herself 

I Am No Romeo

I am no Romeo, I suffer no illusions about my upbringing, there was no rodeo, down the Kerio valley, in case you are thinking you are Juliet, I'll be out there, looking for Chebet

Our forefathers saw no need of romance,

it hasn't been our tradition,

and if you think, perchance,

I'll join the red bandwagon,

let me make this clear,

I'll be out here, sipping traditional beer

find a way to bear with me

I am under no obligation,

neither are you, as you will see,

to join the hopeless bandwagon,

of those desperate to show love

I am a typical Kale, as you've read above

Blackmail

we hoped, as we groped our way

through dark souls, 

that we'd find the missing parts 

of our bodies, hoarded by strangers, 

which would complete us - 

somehow along the meandering paths, 

we discovered parts of ourselves, 

in strange people, 

we discovered they were 

chained to our younger selves, 

and as time wrung everything that was fun, 

we discovered they'd help us 

to help us rediscover our childhoods, 

and still be mature enough in the eyes 

of the world, 

we needed to whisper under blankets, 

for we are were aware of the eavesdropping world, 

time and again, 

we held our breaths, 

beholding in the sheer beauty, 

and the impossible odds that placed us right 

on each other's paths, 

and there, we began dreaming new dreams, 

as if we were curators of dreams, 

we began picturing eternities 

and the past receded, and slipped into oblivion, 

and then we weren't the same again, 

we began blackmailing each other, 

dishing out affection like smuggled goods 

suddenly we were done with each other, 

but felt stranded, 

with memories that began being bothersome 

with memories that became baggage we could bear not 

Life's A Struggle For Everyone

I hope one day you will understand,

without too much prompting,

that they are battling their own demons,

and are, perhaps, holding up just a little better

and when they so they can't give you a shoulder,

do not be bitter,

their shoulders are too full to add an extra one,

you have to learn to live alone, sometimes - most

of the times

 

I hope one day you learn,

They, too, crave a shoulder to lean on,

They are also overwhelmed by their daily struggles,

They are also trying to be strong,

They are going through the same things

as you,

And also crave a comforting shoulder

Reflections. A Distant Past

in the end, reflecting on a lonesome 

evening, 

with sun's rays receding rays humbling 

your past, 

it is not the kind you could pay homage to, 

or offer burnt offering, 

you can't pour libation, 

for you are certain you offended your ancestors 

a long time ago, 

and all that remain is for you to bear your

lifelong punishment 

you silently wonder how lifelong can be, 

it's certainly not forever, it seems like it 

for days stretch to no end 

and nights even longer

there's nothing more to look forward to, 

except long for days when 

you could just wander through 

life's miseries and never see them as miseries 

and the reveries that plant a permanent frown 

on your face dissipate 

and you can finally laugh in a genuine manner 

The Star Within

there is a star inside you, 

that knows it must shine, 

and paint the night sky 

with colors as beautiful as any 

but it chooses to hide behind 

the clouds 

you were born a star 

your greatness knows no limits 

rise from the ruins of doubt 

and paint the world 

with your natural beauty 

Pains

I am entangled with my pains 
they appear to me, with dubious clarity, 

in my frequent day dreams, 

these pains speak to me in a haunting way, 

like a ransom seeker, 

they demand a hefty price for my release, 

all calls went unanswered, 

I guess my people have abandoned me 

and now were are staring at each other, 

daring each other, 

he who blinks loses, 

but my pains are blind