Gerald Kithinji

And as the hills yonder
Turned red from sunset rays
As darkness engulfed the valley
And the sweet sounds of birds
...

Mauritania O Mauritania
I work for the emir in Mauritania
My father worked for the emir in Mauritania
My grandfather worked for the emir in Mauritania
...

They promised us
All manner of pleasant solace
As this manifesto witnesses;
And to show our reliance
...

Since my ship set sail
I have touched many a shore
And sighted many an island
...

I came here only but once
And that was not long ago
Hunger had brought me here
And I went my way satisfied
...

Goodbye, Grand Warrior of Mveso
Of Qunu, of Transkei, of Soweto
Grand Warrior of Rivonia and Robben Island
Goodbye, Grand Warrior of Azania, of Africa
...

Under the stern, watchful superintendence
Of whispering palms on the white sand coast
Where a thousand strong bow to the breeze
And thousands more swing to the beat
...

I look at the mist and gloom
and I'm rapt in thought of
the northern summer
for though I stand on the equator
...

From my lowly bachelor’s house
Proudly christened ‘Embassy Fair’
I woke up to the chirping of birds
On the trees above and across the vale
...

You know, mon amie
She can be vicious
In her gentle attack
And right now, see
...

And I remembered that train ride as we passed Tsavo
and the elephants raised their ears in warning or greeting
As I watched at the window and dared them
approach the moving monster of a train
...

As the bird flew in the swirling wind
Up and down the crests of trees
A feather (or two) could not resist
And off it went with the swirling air.
...

Though the end be far
From the beginning
You'll find me there
At the finite end.
...

Can’t believe I was so close
To the passing ship
And yet so far
From shore
...

Alas! 'Tis the lionesses out to hunt
And the Mara antelopes out of luck
That trouble your vision me friend.
Come, let's quick to our tent,
...

What is it like to live in a desert-
Bereft of those pleasures of life
That cannot be found in a desert?

You got me thinking of dear life
...

Spit! Why spit
Why soil our pleasure
Why remould these ruins
Seven days- like the fly
...

Reflections
Perchance refractions
On mirror of civilization
Unveiling deep furrows-
...

I have long waited
This sunny day
To chide myself
...

…And those in the race
Continued running
And the gap widened
Between they and us
...