A Madman's Eulogy Poem by Gedion Onyango

For decades, this madman taunted these streets
with his luggage and diary on street activities
or maybe who to verbally attack to fulfill the requirements
of the spirits within him.
For decades, this madman decorated these streets
and bore a sense of belonging
He was the son and the daughter for hardworking hawkers
who took care of him and his stomach – priceless
talking and walking alone, laughing and making fun
He inflated the happiness within us
For decades, this madman was a good comrade for us in these streets
Even amidst inflation, hunger and good harvest
He was a symbol on the streets
and nothing changed as kids ran after him
His names scrawled into our household
As the madman was always an absent family member in our homes
Our madman for decades,
these streets unconsciously weep for you