Now I Sleep By The Dressmaker's Shop Poem by Abdalla Juma Shenga

I was hopeful to the brim as I left home to town
Little did I know the city is a deep lake I'd drown
Enticed by many who went, returned wealthy and brown
I took an oath to buy Mama an expensive gown
My village sweetheart I'll buy her gifts she'll never frown
Father a silk suit so smooth they'll give him the village crown
Little did I known I was diving into the unknown
Now I sleep by the dressmakers shop

I had no formal education, so was the neighbours son
Who told me stories of how city life was fun
A villager like me we were of the same clan
My story is different its of every lesson I learn
About how hard I toil under the scotching sun
City life is a race, I have been outrun
It takes skills to make it here, I have been outdone
Now I sleep by the dressmakers shop

The day I left is still in my mind
I left home without looking behind
I was so happy, I knew God was kind
I was intoxicated thinking of the riches I'd find
Everything was fine, I was the mastermind
Today, for every shilling I grind
I did not see this coming, I guess I was blind
Now I sleep by the dressmakers shop

I had borrowed money; I said I'll pay twice
Now I cant return, I cant pay the price
The cake of success is huge, I need a slice
I came to the city, only to sleep with the mice
It is the cold that kills me, I dont mind the lice
My eyes shut every day hoping for a second chance
The money I had disappeared with the roll of a dice
Now I sleep by the dressmakers shop