I REMEMBER YOU

That firm handshake
The evening you carried my pass-slip
I had passed my exams
Mwiri became reality
You escorted me there
…
I remember
Your surprise attendance
My swearing in ceremony
Camera flash
Boundless joy

I recall-
Sharp slap across my face
Mom had fried some of my eggs
They were being incubated
Meat pies for school
I was whining

The spring in your step
Bundles of warm fur
Yet another cute puppy
And to add to my book collection
A Mink’s Tale
I continue to treasure-

I remember you
The scent of Imperial Leather
The raspy sound of newspapers
perfumed New African Concorde Magazines
Bell Beer

In every book I read,
The news casts I watch
Together we supported Manchester United
Kampala City Council and Bayern Munich
On many nights we watched the local news bulletins
Stayed up late to watch the World Cup
Breathlessly followed The Old Fox
And argued about the law

I remember you -
Coaching me to be a man
Fitting into your coat
Preaching the love for Toro-
Splendor of the empaako
-Eyaawe Abwooli
The curl of the akaaro
Dipped in firinda-
Not forgetting oburaaya

I remember you

Exquisite time keeper
Polished speaker
Immaculate handwriting
Path finder
Modern traditionalist
Journalist
Fervent Guardian
Father-
I recall all

As I scratch my beard
I recall you brushed yours
As I whistle my presence for my girls
You cleared your voice at the door
When I contemplate
You also spoke long after listening

I saw-
Your passion for friends and family
Baptism and graduation parties
Twang of the Congolese rumba bolingo music
Click of glasses
Public relations-

I remember you

You didn’t have much
but you gave all-
Ambition, integrity, hard work
Determination-
And as you fought that cancer
You showed us till the end
Truly you are
Rwabigumire!

And now that you’ve flown away
Rivers flow from our eyes
‘Ekimango’ chocks our throats
As a true Mukurungu rests

My Daddy
I remember you
Even more-

R.I.P

May 2010