A Wise Fool Poem by kelvin karani

In ’03 they came
With false hopes and dreams
Feeding us with the same
Then we sank back into the abyss
Of despondency, hunger, poverty- our fate
I was wise then, but in a foolish sense

Then came ‘05 and the referendum
And we had a sumptuous meal
Of bananas and oranges
Peeling all with zeal
That’s how the constitution went under
As the wise fool watched keenly
As fruits were used to put my house asunder

’07 and’08 were not any different
I was wise in the most foolish degree
Hoodwinked by dreams of a better tomorrow
Joining country mates in a blood letting spree
After a failed election- stolen in fact

You see 2012 isn’t that far
Yet I don’t think I’m going to change
In the skies shines dull my star
I’m still a wise fool
Me myself and I- the Kenyan voter!

For generations I have been wise
Voting in great governments
As I walk in the nightmares of our independence
Choking in the post independence ashes flying about
How great is my wisdom!