The Street Anthem. Poem by DEDAN ONYANGO

Across this street,
There is one thing that catches the eye.
It is not the tarmacked roads that snakes down the hills
Neither the beautiful horizons drawn by the setting sun,
But the life style of this town:
The street anthem.

In this town,
There is a special street down-town
A Street known by many who dared to dream big
Many who had papers, letters
And newspaper cuttings stuck in envelopes.
But the encounter is an empty plate,
You must have a god-father to rule
Without one you are ruined.
The street anthem rule No.1.

A street where
Walking is not tolerated,
But haste is of the essence
Walk slow you get knocked by your fellows.
It is a street of waste they say,
Be careful not to be the waste
The street anthem rule No.2.
But someone is to blame.
In this street,
Blame game is a shame,
It is not the bigwigs
Get your head out of the weeds.
They have done their best
Don’t become a pest.

Anthem it has become;
Though shall seek but not find.
Everyone for himself but God for us all they say.
In this street,
Your back must bend
For the master to comprehend,
Less you want to be given a pseudonym: blockhead.

Ask the village pastor;
The hand that gives is the one that receives
Give your master a token,
Do not be heartbroken,
Your master will say.

A street of despair
Souls to repair,
Those who were rained on with manner were so lucky I say.
Few in this street collect coins dented with disgrace
As quick they run to their hideouts
When the city officers pops out,
“They are making the town dirty,
This a BIG man’s town to party”
The big bellied boss roars.

Monday it is,
Another week for bargaining.
Tactics must be changed
But the lyrics remains.
The street anthem stealthily pierces the eardrums.

After moving around two-hundred offices on the check list
The least you can do;
Give yourself a face lift.
To the Most High above
You pray for another day
To start
As you begun!