Hannington Mumo Poems

So Edward Kamanzola was born on the Christmas Day,
In the year 1943, and it was declared a rare luck;
And Fortune was set to trail his life all the way
To undoubted longevity of fortunate octogenarians.
...

The rain is never enough for the lazy man
To produce a sufficient harvest,
He blames Providence for lack of food;
The lazy man is never blessed
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Throw a great feast and the world fills your halls,
Cry for help when disaster strikes and few will come;
For every man has enough pains and sorrows of his own
And none really cares about yours except your mum.
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Gag my mouth to thwart my speech and seal my protests
But the language of my eyes will be heard in the hallowed highs,
I speak not to be heard by those that have no ears to hear
But to confirm that my words have reached the skies.
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The Infinitude of the Private Man

What fetters will chain the legs of man,
If the Creator himself so much liberty gave?
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Oftentimes life and Nature decide to give you
That which you'd never give your bitterest foe,
A bitter cup from which you must drink;
And sour content like gall, you'd think.
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They say that life begins at forty,
And since I'm still a score and six,
I shall hold myself a captive of sense,
Until all youth's fickle flaws I fix.
...

(For Kenyan athletes assiduously winning medals in Commonwealth games in Delhi, India; 13th October 2010)

A patriot to death my heart does with satisfaction throb
For yours is praiseworthy an effort and so sterling a job;
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(UPON READING THE PRELIMINARY CHAPTERS OF “THE MINISTER’S CHARGE”,
BY WILLIAM DEAN HOWELLS)

Give not in to the adamant lore of the aged,
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I shall fight the numbing dew of goalless skeptics,
I shall overcome the smother and bother
Of devil-filled and visionless cynics,
And sit again on the throne of victory.
...