I Miss The Days-Poetry by Beverley N N

 

I miss the days

when friendship was

an invitation to laugh

at everything

and nothing.

At shadows that danced like brooms

At spinach that got stuck between the teeth.

I miss the days when friendship

was a time to fly kites

in between bites

of hotdogs, maize and simsim balls.

A time to ride bicycles

And count the passing clouds

Creating our own musicals

On a stage made of grass.

I miss the days when friendship was

walking to church in long white socks

Whistling at flowers, throwing rocks.

Now, conversations are a patronizing

Drumming to the ears

Dreams have turned into sermons;

Invitations have turned into a trick

To join a mastermind class.

Keep your honesty aside

And enjoy the ride

Of self-help.

Business for breakfast

Lectures for lunch

Tidbits of tips for tea

And all of this, they say, is to make you grow.

And yet each time they call, you shrink.

It's another condescending call

About your commitment, or lack of it

So many people are committed these days.

Are we all lunatics?

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Three steps to becoming great again!

And yet all I want

Are the three steps to

My friend's heart again.

It's not the years that have changed us.

It's lazy to blame it on our age

It's preposterous to claim that life happened.

Our friendship wasn't a thing that just happened.

It was who we were.

..

By Beverley Nsengiyunva, April 2021

Published in 'Dress Me In Disobedience', available online at beverleynambozondotcom

....

Kampala, Uganda.

 

Zambia; My Heart

We hugged as strangers in Zambia, and left as lifelong friends.

My trip to Zambia was planned as a simple solo celebration, which, after one connection, transformed into a multiple festivity of my 50th birthday, writing, visits to iconic sites, networking, meeting of distinguished ministers and life-long bonds.

When we drove into Mrs. Mumbi's house from the airport, the white-washed walls, splashed with roses, hibiscus, and bouganvillea were a taste of my colourful week. 

With former female ministers and Mrs. Mumbi in pink

This woman's legacy began from her birth and has been riddled by turmoil and triumph. From 60, after retiring and years after she became a widow, God called her to start a school. Far from a smooth journey, this school, targeting orphans in Ng'ombe Community in Zambia, has raised many leaders within Zambia who are also impacting the globe. Speaking and celebrating at the school, with poetry, Babishai books and dancing, was such a highlight.

Meeting former female ministers who had served multiple terms in various ministries, chatting and dining with them like chums, meeting the Zambia Women Writers' members, finding a home amongst people across borders and visiting the grand home of President Kenneth Kaunda.

Hope and Faith Community School, Ng'ombe Community-Zambia

A city with minimal hills, hardly any potholes and negligible traffic interference for walks, due to hardly any motorbike riders or red dust, Lusaka was a place of repose and revitalisation.