This Land, My People!

Campaigns are conducted in flashy cars,
Whilst iron birds above scatter posters--
Images of some overfed ugly bugs,
And ill-crafted idiotic ideologies:
Selling policies to whoever has votes to buy,
Their funerals!

Reaching the ballot,
Is an ageless walk.
Things go bad:
Winners lose; losers win!
And we tearfully ululate,
Singing democracy...

Big men finance feasts;
Small men fire fists--
Negotiating for shares,
Only obtained through bloodshed...

The python's mouth's wide open,
Warmly welcoming dissents--
Who dare spit in the kings face;
Ruin his reputation,
And admire the palace!

The king's dogs wander,
Sniffing for our bones,
Tear our pockets,
Then to hell drag us:
''Guilty till proven innocent!''
Engorged crows croak,
And unless gods intervene,
Soon you're forgotten!

Happy are those in power,
For they hold the helm of this land's life.
Sad are those in the gutter,
For they shall lose lives fighting for havens;
In streets they shall sing and dance,
Bark and shed big waters,
But retire and sleep on empty stomachs,
And the sun will rise--
Again and again!

(c) wafula p'khisa
- Lirango Lienjofu-
[Thigh of an Elephant]