Today thought I should post this crooked poem I wrote two years ago on 28th June 2015 after the sudden death of my dear sister, Naomi.
She was to graduate that December from the University of Nairobi, Kenya Science Campus. It was painful, but we moved on and now all I’m trying to do by posting this dirge, or whatever it’s, is just to celebrate her for another day. To remind all of you in my little world, that as much as we are smiling, we have lost too. Life is not easy, but no one promised it would be!
Rest in peace dear sister, I still miss you. I’m still celebrating you.
(It’s not in pure English but a mixture of Swahili and sheng’, Kenyan street slang. Hope you won’t mind).
Above, Naomi dribbling a football. She was the team captain at the Campus
NILIDHANI ATAMEK (THOUGHT SHE COULD MAKE IT)
Ataishi, ataishi ka google ilikuwa right
Ka ni cholera, Naomi ni strong ata’fight
Najiongelesha nikienda clinic, walking thru the rain
No one, only the rain could feel my pain
Nilidhani atamek, I was wrong
Kuingia clinic, kwa taabu akainuka kuketi on that sick bench
Miguuni kuna navy blue bucket with a foul stench
Nikaketi kando yake, my left hand on her knee
She wasn’t alone, she had beautiful company
Nilidhani atamek, I was wrong
Jenty, doctor anasema nini?
Kwani lab test inatoka lini?
Anasema tusilale naye kwenye nyumba
Nikaomba, case ishakuwa ya Muumba
Nilidhani atamek, I was wrong
Ndani ya taxi tukajipata jam, mnyororo wa magari
Pace ni ile ya snail, Afrika akuna hurry
Hatufiki Mama Lucy? Lini tutatoka hii cursed Outer-Ring Road?
Mgonjwa amezidiwa, mara joto, baridi, mara muscle pull
Tufanye nini Lord?
Nilidhani atamek, I was wrong
Ningekuwa na uwezo, boy mapena ninge’call flying doctors
But I’m just a poor young man Only dreams to his name
Hustling like mama taught us
Labda ambulance inge’attract attention ya hao polisi walikuwa so busy
Nairobi kuwa road on a rainy Friday evening not easy
Nilidhani atamek, I was wrong
Eventually we made it to the hospital, shoes full of mud
Hadi sai bado nakumbuka iyo reception, so bad
Like thirty minutes so confused, who cares
Valentine was right, pale kila mtu na his own affairs
Nilidhani atamek, I was wrong
Finally tukamueka on that only vacant bed
Some rickety structure, canvas–made
Remember that image, blue pair of jeans and a grey hoodie
Last time I saw her alive, she looked so beautiful
Nilidhani atamek, I was wrong
Hiyo harufu ya disinfectant as the nurse sprayed our street shoes
Assuring us she’ll be ok we brought her on time, how come tukam’lose
Nikimtumia hiyo “quick recovery” text, seemed alive
Naomi looked like she could survive
Nilidhani atamek, I was wrong
