Anabahati Mlay

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Empty souls
With so much dryness
They try to fill their cup
With water from others wells
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My mind kept wondering
And all i could find were empty spaces
and i journeyed into my present
isn't this what i feared the most?
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Those cold nights
With no blanket to keep her warm
Those ruthless nights
Without a soul to console her
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They don't know this song
But they dance to it
Not before have their ears met this beat
But they will break a leg for it
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This time, if it happens this time
I swear
This is the last time
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I prepared my speech
Walking down the village
Jumping up and down the hills
Singing like a little freed bird
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As i sat there staring into the room
tears kept flowing
Like the Mount Kilimanjaro rivers during rainy season
They streamed down
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Sitting there, next to him
In silence
Holding hands, listening to the sounds of us breathing, his being heavier
In silence
...

I dare you to love her
Not in the scripted manner
Not like in the movies drama
Not in the ways of your pa and ma
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You know that feeling
When you see something
Even when seated at different sides of the room
Your eyes search hers
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Arise!
The daughter of the land
The pride of the clan
The forgotten one
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Beautiful souls
With dreams and hopes
Pride of their folks
Excited to learn
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I will not go out
The little pathway to my house is flooded
It has become a raging river carrying everything away
if I dare go out I don't know what next can happen
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She was taught of silence
To be quiet and listen
Not to ask
Have some pounded bitter herbs
...

Do not pluck me
I am yet to blossom
Do not cut me
I am yet to come home
...