That POET

I was inspired to write Not because I was listening to Bob Marley and Laurie Hills But because am 21 and the society has decided I am African Originally not meant to be too educated One degree One certificate And I am the perfect wife for a 45 year old man Am lonely at 21 I am growing old at 21 I need babies soon at 21 Now this is why am getting serious bored of this world I mean am 21 I have just started understanding what I am A woman, yes With needs, yes But I still have standards Still have dreams I still want to tour Want to meet Oprah Maybe win an Oscar Or probably write a play Watch it make it to the Emmy's What is wrong with dreaming, I mean am only 21 Still very adventurous Still giggle when my own father gives me a complement I mean, am just 21 Let me enjoy.

This is what unity looks like to me, Mabutu, my Tanzania cousin who has a Sudanese mother and an Ethiopian uncle, Went to Rome to attend my Japanese step sister's British uncle's burial. I myself can barely get the logic, Of how too many nations come together under one single epitome of understand. Simple, the church! Growing up in Ugandan Catholic churches, Shock is what I experienced when an English service, Was covered by Swahili songs, Unity is having my Luo brother sit next to my Meru uncle, And share a hymn book with my Taita grandmother, Unity is understanding that we can only grow, When we put color, size, shape and language aside, And put the Bible, the Cross and the body and blood of Christ as the head of it all, Jesus did not preach per the person's sin, Neither did he use one's accent to weigh the magnitude of the miracle one was to receive, Jesus shared the gospel regardless of background, A lesson he intended to be passed on through