For A Packet Of Maize Flour Poem by kelvin karani

I will hit the road
Part my young innocent thighs
To those with money to spare
To feed my siblings
This I know I must do
Diseases and other risks
All must be endured for,
For a packet of maize flour!

Mother had gone to parade at Koinange
At attention she stood, displaying all
They measured her up, the young and old
And then came the rich man who
Mother could have anything to do with
He called to his Benz but mother stayed put
Disappointed he ran her over witnesses said
Another prostitute killed I nation building
Dying for a packet of maize flour

That same night news came
A robber was shot dead by police
A packet of maize flour under each armpit
Stolen from some Indian’s supermarket
Its you father, our neighbor said
Dying for a hungry family
Looking for a packet of maize flour

Brother and sister listen to this
No more school from today
The three of us must hit the road
You selling guavas and I my body’s fruit
All for a packet of maize flour
Hail Kenyan independence, hail Africa!