Meus Amigos (My friends)

A ballad to all my friends
Those countless unseen rays of sunlight
warmth to the shuddering flesh
Those welcome drops of rain
relief to the desert of loneliness
The sturdy clutches of mahogany
support for the desparate struggler
The strong North Wind
Like the Monsoon for the dhows of ambition

A song to my badde's indeed
vital sinews -
joining my skeleton of society
Beautiful organic bark -
shielding my sensitive ego
Long eye lashes-
Keeping away the dust of failed dreams and corruption
A heterogeneous society-
United in my acquaintance

A ballad indeed
to mis amigos
that support team
that dream team;
their counsel-
healing balm to my defeat
their prayers-
i arise to fight again
their time-
priceless like pearls
their love-
caress to my scarred face

Like ever- green muyembe tree leaves
My friends beam with the hope of spring
when the autumn of failed dreams,
serves deathly pale frustration
Like the sun-pecked snowflake,
they brighten the bite of winter
soothing the pain of despair
Assurances for a better tomorrow

O Rafiki Wangu-
are like the mahiiga of the Kitara kitchen
or the indian spices in the pan-fried rice
the eucalyptus firewood that burns bright
like cheese that glories the pizza
Without them-
the food of maturity cannot be prepared
the akaro of learning cannot be mingled

These banywani Bangjye
are the salt
that stings my ulcer of childishness
the majjuutta that smoothens my skin
protecting my insecurities
Like shock-absorbers for the E200
Or oil to the door hinges
Jurimu para made it bearable
When Rwabigumire ascended yonder-
Chasing away the demons of sadness
with laughter and jokes
Creating a different vigil

My friends have been there-
Beaten the dew in my stead-
as I pursued my priceless jewel
Mortgaged their lives' savings
Shared their secret recipe's of success
Staked their reputation
that I might blossom and shine

Like the still waters of the Bunyonyi
they have listened to my rumblings
and like the Kabalega falls
roars and bellows
so have the arguments we've had
enriching the flora and fauna
of knowledge, intelligence and wisdom
with the silt of maturity

Like the pussy-cat
snuggling in my seat
I have learnt from mes amis
love, care, dedication-
of course
My hands have been burnt-
Betrayals happen, trust is broken
crushes for some, disappointing others
Angered some-
but at the day's end, I say
my cronies have planted in me-
patience, joy, respect- and more -
they have weeded out seeds of misery
buttressed my manhood
Respected and encouraged my ambitions
So today,
I harvest -
these grains of gratitude

Salaries and bonuses
I have had my share
Family and relatives have blessed my house
but a man with friends so true-
the pride of the pack he be-

14:00 30th October 2010

On National Express to Londres