At The Seafront In Lamu Poem by Ibrahim Bidu

The moon shyly hides

Behind a speck of cloud

Peeping every now and then

Illuminating the dark sleepy mass

That was lapping gently at my feet.

The racing boats and dhows

Rock from side to side

Locked in an embrace with

And patting the back of the sleepy mass.

Cold refreshing breeze

Caresses my body

All around are couples

Hand clasped in another.

In the distance a flute

And then drums

Monotonous beats

Shattering the perfect peace.

As I advance towards it

I get a glimpse of whites

No movement except for sticks

Held in outstretched hands

As they rise and fall

And the dance of the notes

Stuck in the magnificent Kofias in the breeze

A thousand, a hundred and fifty shilling notes.

Frantic cameramen and donkey taxis

Seem to jostle for attention

Or just for someone to pick

And time slowly ticks on

As the night slowly slips by