By
ABEDNEGO OSINDI
Mamma, I can't ask you where and how
I was born. The most important thing is that I came into this world alive. I
know my first cry set you into tears of joy after enduring those trying
periods. I endangered your life. You always felt sick, tired and perhaps
confused because of the creature that was in your womb. All those cravings
difficult to access because you were a mere peasant. The nine months were not
an easy undertaking. I guess the only thing you could afford was that clay on
the wall of your old rugged hut or soil from the walking paths for your calcium
supplements. You would not afford the commercial ones.
I must count myself lucky No matter how difficult the moments were- chilly vomiting mornings, uncomfortable hot afternoons, sleepless nights because of my punching disturbances, never did it cross your mind to get rid of me. Other inconsiderate ones could look for ruthless and crooked means to get the 'thing' out. But for you, a real mum, had a big heart that things will be better tomorrow. Thank you mum for giving me the opportunity to live and explore the world.
Born weak, blind, naked and helpless. The great mum embraced me tight in her arms and dressed me up. I grew strong because of the nourishing liquid I suckled from you. Timely suckling even at your menial work places full of exhaustion. This you did to make sure the family food basket is full. Just like s fisherman knows the pain of an empty net, so did you on seeing the food basket empty. I know I wouldn’t have cried if you put me on the sack and go on with your work. No! You didn’t allow that. You were my natural vehicle that had no bumps, no exhausts, no dust, no noise. It felt like a first class aircraft seat with the khanga around me serving the best safety belt ever.
Any single cry from me could drive you mad. A sign of ill health. Maybe measles, whooping cough, polio, malaria. Up and down races through the rugged scenery to have money to see me to the clinic. Mostly 'chama' loans helped if my dad happened to be in a fix. Regardless of your little knowledge in nursing, you never gave your son an overdose neither did you forget the right time to administer the syrup. I grew, grew...I am still growing!
Good morals are a virtue. You must admit that you have a virtue mum. No denial. I can remember respect and discipline were your pillars: greetings, ask before you take, fetch water, collect fire wood, no fights, come home early. A stroke of that networked cane could transport me to the right place of natural calls- latrines were misplaced those days. The same stroke could remind me where I had left the porridge cup, the hand woven socks and that stripped jacket. The banging shout made the naked boy dress up.
A prayerful family always stays together. The evening prayers were just awesome. Reading the bible, the 'tumshangilie' songs still fresh in my mind. I have never missed to say a sign of the cross before I sleep. Something we always did. You introduced me to the catechism classes. I can remember us singing the prayers instead of reciting. The Apostles Creed, Our Father, Glory...Amen. I miss the locally celebrated masses.
Nursery school. Mum, why did you distant yourself from me? For the first time you left me in the hands of foreigners. I saw you disappear past the school gate. That day seemed too long for me. Outside the brick constructed classroom I stood leaning against the wall. I was i a uniform for the first time: green shirt, khaki short red socks colour clashing with the brand new black plastic shoes- 'sandak'. The hand woven bag with one book and a white pencil inside hang on my neck down the tummy. I was carrying my red porridge container on the right hand waiting for the teacher to open the class. Thank God the day was over, weeks, months and years gone by now.
You remember that day you beat me up when I was in class two? I claimed to have experienced an 'headache' for three consecutive days- Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. The panadols never worked. I was lying. I had no interest for school anymore and I did not have a reason at all. I could sneak from bed for the three days for personal explorations. You realized this and your cane just did just it because after the beating I experienced the genuine headache. In case I didn't tell you then, the fourth lot of panadols on Thursday did me good. Since then a big concrete boundary built between my academics and the big fool. I later came to learn that you wanted your son to know what is life, to explore the world and get you out of the pool of poverty.
I promise you mum, I will try my best to fulfill your dreams. I will get the tatters off you, clean the sweat on your forehead, wipe the tears on your eyes, transfer you from that rugged old hurt. I will make you happy. My siblings will get through school and dad will be proud of his son.
Mamma, no word can replace the word MUM for you. I can walk the whole world or through space but I will never find anyone like you. You are my life, my inspiration, my everything. Believe me when I say I LOVE YOU!
DEDICATIONS: My mum, all those who forget parents when they stabilize in life and anybody who feels moved with this piece.
All rights reserved! @Aosindi 2012.
I must count myself lucky No matter how difficult the moments were- chilly vomiting mornings, uncomfortable hot afternoons, sleepless nights because of my punching disturbances, never did it cross your mind to get rid of me. Other inconsiderate ones could look for ruthless and crooked means to get the 'thing' out. But for you, a real mum, had a big heart that things will be better tomorrow. Thank you mum for giving me the opportunity to live and explore the world.
Born weak, blind, naked and helpless. The great mum embraced me tight in her arms and dressed me up. I grew strong because of the nourishing liquid I suckled from you. Timely suckling even at your menial work places full of exhaustion. This you did to make sure the family food basket is full. Just like s fisherman knows the pain of an empty net, so did you on seeing the food basket empty. I know I wouldn’t have cried if you put me on the sack and go on with your work. No! You didn’t allow that. You were my natural vehicle that had no bumps, no exhausts, no dust, no noise. It felt like a first class aircraft seat with the khanga around me serving the best safety belt ever.
Any single cry from me could drive you mad. A sign of ill health. Maybe measles, whooping cough, polio, malaria. Up and down races through the rugged scenery to have money to see me to the clinic. Mostly 'chama' loans helped if my dad happened to be in a fix. Regardless of your little knowledge in nursing, you never gave your son an overdose neither did you forget the right time to administer the syrup. I grew, grew...I am still growing!
Good morals are a virtue. You must admit that you have a virtue mum. No denial. I can remember respect and discipline were your pillars: greetings, ask before you take, fetch water, collect fire wood, no fights, come home early. A stroke of that networked cane could transport me to the right place of natural calls- latrines were misplaced those days. The same stroke could remind me where I had left the porridge cup, the hand woven socks and that stripped jacket. The banging shout made the naked boy dress up.
A prayerful family always stays together. The evening prayers were just awesome. Reading the bible, the 'tumshangilie' songs still fresh in my mind. I have never missed to say a sign of the cross before I sleep. Something we always did. You introduced me to the catechism classes. I can remember us singing the prayers instead of reciting. The Apostles Creed, Our Father, Glory...Amen. I miss the locally celebrated masses.
Nursery school. Mum, why did you distant yourself from me? For the first time you left me in the hands of foreigners. I saw you disappear past the school gate. That day seemed too long for me. Outside the brick constructed classroom I stood leaning against the wall. I was i a uniform for the first time: green shirt, khaki short red socks colour clashing with the brand new black plastic shoes- 'sandak'. The hand woven bag with one book and a white pencil inside hang on my neck down the tummy. I was carrying my red porridge container on the right hand waiting for the teacher to open the class. Thank God the day was over, weeks, months and years gone by now.
You remember that day you beat me up when I was in class two? I claimed to have experienced an 'headache' for three consecutive days- Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. The panadols never worked. I was lying. I had no interest for school anymore and I did not have a reason at all. I could sneak from bed for the three days for personal explorations. You realized this and your cane just did just it because after the beating I experienced the genuine headache. In case I didn't tell you then, the fourth lot of panadols on Thursday did me good. Since then a big concrete boundary built between my academics and the big fool. I later came to learn that you wanted your son to know what is life, to explore the world and get you out of the pool of poverty.
I promise you mum, I will try my best to fulfill your dreams. I will get the tatters off you, clean the sweat on your forehead, wipe the tears on your eyes, transfer you from that rugged old hurt. I will make you happy. My siblings will get through school and dad will be proud of his son.
Mamma, no word can replace the word MUM for you. I can walk the whole world or through space but I will never find anyone like you. You are my life, my inspiration, my everything. Believe me when I say I LOVE YOU!
DEDICATIONS: My mum, all those who forget parents when they stabilize in life and anybody who feels moved with this piece.
All rights reserved! @Aosindi 2012.
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