Calm Down Father Poem by Sekyewa Godfrey

Calm Down Father.

I have heard father,
The distant toll of church bells.
The gruff barking of dogs,
The troughs and blades of the city,
Hooting and banging their infernal drums.
Like a lunatic aflame with agog.

I have long lived in a hell of sick men,
That know not humility in their hands.
I have seen half naked women,
Dancing in bars with bellied men.
I have also heard resonant clamours
Of city dwellers saying, "gavumenti etuyambe."

I sought fortune on lit city streets,
But sadly found none in my way.
I have come back to the lantern village,
To grip the hoe by its handle.
Father, don't hurl insults upon my head,
For a new fortune I am trying to rebuild.
(Sekyewa Godfrey)