'Betrothed' Poem by DEDAN ONYANGO

'BETROTHED'
A response to Obyero Odhiambo poem Betrothed.

Well you say
Three thousand shillings is not enough,
For your daughter's hand in marriage
Well and good!

But listen my in-laws
Listen very keenly,
Three thousand shillings is indeed not enough
For our son to marry your daughter
Who went to the University,
Our son also made it too to the University,
In fact he went to Cambridge
To pursue International law
My in laws,
Your daughter is not worth that much!

My in-laws,
You said that you taught your daughter
All kind of Mannerisms
How to take care of her husband,
Well that is good
But our son cannot eat
Fire wood cooked food
Three thousand shillings is not enough!

You said her beauty cannot be compared to anything
On earth
And that
Three thousand shillings is not enough
Well my in laws,
Our son is too handsome
And well built
Look at his muscles
So strong
He can marry more wives,

You said my token
Is not welcomed
And that three thousand shillings is not enough
To buy love
My in laws
How much do you want?
Love is priceless,
But now we are being forced
To buy it
We shall!