Be My Guest

Be my guest, come sit with me
Listen to the silent shadows play
As the sun sets and night begins to fall
Let me share my story with you
Don’t judge me too quickly
Look beyond the surface, see the real me

I may seem quiet, but my soul speaks loudly
In the echo of these silent shadows
I have been hurt, but I am not broken
I have faced challenges, but I am not defeated
I have scars, but they do not define me
I am more than the sum of my parts

I invite you to see the beauty in my imperfections
To find the grace in my flaws
To witness the strength in my vulnerability
And the resilience in my tears
I am a masterpiece in progress
A work of art still being painted

So be my guest, take a seat and stay awhile
Let me open up my heart to you
Let me share my hopes and fears
My joys and my sorrows
Let me be real with you
In this moment of pure honesty

I am not perfect, but I am trying
I am not flawless, but I am sincere
I am not without my faults, but I am genuine
I am only human after all
Travelling this wild journey called life

So don’t be quick to judge
Don’t dismiss me with a glance
Don’t assume you know my story
Until you have heard it from my lips
Until you have seen it in my eyes
Until you have felt it in your heart

Be my guest, and let us connect
Through the shared experience of being alive
Through the universal language of love
Through the power of empathy and compassion
Let us break down the walls that divide us
And build bridges of understanding

In this moment of vulnerability
In this space of openness and truth
Let us find common ground
Let us see each other as we truly are
Let us embrace our differences
And celebrate our humanity

So be my guest, dear friend
And let us embark on this journey together
Of healing and growth
Of connection and transformation
Let us be witnesses to each other’s stories
And find strength in our shared humanity

For in the end, we are all just travelers
On this vast and mysterious road
Searching for meaning and purpose
Seeking love and connection
So let us be kind to one another
And may our hearts be forever open

Be my guest, dear soul
And let us be companions
In this dance of life
In this symphony of existence
Let us walk hand in hand
And find solace in each other’s presence

For together, we are stronger
Together, we are whole
Together, we are infinite
So be my guest, my love
And let us journey together
Into the depths of our souls

Let us uncover the truths that lie within
Let us embrace the shadows
And dance in the light
For in each other, we find home
In each other, we find peace
In each other, we find ourselves

So be my guest, my dear
And let us be one
In this beautiful threads of life
For you are my guest
And I am yours
Together, we are forever.

@okelododdychitchats

Can I

In Kenya,  where diversity thrives
Where different tribes exist, each with their own vibes
Can I be Luo, without being branded with pride
Can I be seen for who I am, and not what others decide

Can I be a Luo man, without being called a cheat
Can I walk with my head held high, without deceit
Can I be Kisii, without anger being my label
Can I break free from stereotypes, without any trouble

Can I be Kikuyu, without being called a thief
Can I rise above the assumptions, with belief
Can she be a Kikuyu lady without being feared as a husband killer
Can she lead with integrity, with respect revered

Can I be Kamba, without being called a witch
Can I live my life freely, without any glitch
Can she be a Kamba woman, without being seen as promiscuous
Can she be respected for her virtues, not seen as frivolous

Can I be Luhya, without trading everything for food
Can I break free from stereotypes, for my own good
Can I wear my dreadlocks, without being judged as a thug
Can I express myself freely, without getting shrugged

Can she have a nose piercing, without being called a slut
Can she have a tattoo on her thigh, without needing a rebut
Can I drive a Subaru, without being labeled as a fuck boy
Can I enjoy my ride, without causing any dismay

Can I be a man, wear my beards, without being seen as a dog
Can I be a man, without living in a fog
Can I be a Gen Z, without being seen as spoiled
Can I break away from stereotypes, without being coiled

Can I live in Roysambu, without being scandalous
Can I be judged for who I am, without being hazardous
Can she live in Umoja, without being a single mother
Can she be respected for her choices, without any bother

Can I be just me, black, bold, and beautiful
Can I embrace my uniqueness, without feeling dutiful
Can we break free from stereotypes, and just be
Can we live in harmony, and set ourselves free

So let us rise above the misconceptions and lies
Let us stand strong, with unity as our ties
Let us embrace our differences, and celebrate diversity
For in the end, we are all one, in this world of adversity.

@okelododdychitchats

Shadows of the Mind

Depression, a silent thief,
Stealing joy and peace away,
Manifesting in hidden grief,
Invisibly, it holds its sway.

Its shadow, heavy and dark,
Cloaks the day in endless gloom,
Leaving its victims stark,
Lost in sadness, trapped in doom.

The sufferers, masked in pain,
Put on a brave face for the world,
Hiding tears, going insane,
Their souls in turmoil swirled.

Some may turn to drink,
To numb the ache within,
But the sorrow still sinks,
Deeper, beneath the skin.

Others choose to stay sober,
Facing their demons head-on,
Resisting the urge to bend over,
Or from their troubles, to be gone.

Silent cries in the night,
Desperate whispers to the void,
Hoping for a sliver of light,
In a world that’s been destroyed.

Restless turmoil, sleepless nights,
Insomnia’s cruel embrace,
Their minds locked in endless fights,
Struggling to find some grace.

Their blood runs hot with pain,
A relentless, unseen flame,
Burning deep, driving them insane,
In the darkness, they call out a name.

What spurs this specter forth,
From its hidden, darkened lair?
What causes it to grip so tight,
Pulling souls into the pit of despair?

Is it a whisper in the wind,
A silent snare that tightens its hold?
Or is it diagnosed in broad daylight,
A truth that is stark and bold?

In the early stages, the signs appear,
Subtle hints of a storm to come,
In life’s fragile book, turning year by year,
Seeking solace, seeking some.

Survival in this endless fight,
Requires strength from deep within,
To chase away the darkest night,
And let the light of hope begin.

So reach out to those in need,
Offer a hand, a listening ear,
For in our unity, we can succeed,
In battling the darkness, fighting the fear.

Depression may linger, may stay,
But together, we can weather the storm,
With love and compassion as our ray,
We can find peace, and our souls can be warm.

@okelododdychitchats

Those Days

On bad days, when my heart feels heavy and my mind is clouded by shadows,
I turn to my pen.
Each word, each line  becomes a lifeline,
a way  to find my path through the fog of my emotions.

But there are days when inspiration eludes me,
when sadness grips me tightly and refuses to let go.
On those days, I find myself crying out into the darkness,
my tears soaking into the woven knitted material of my pillows,
the only witnesses to my silent suffering.

I long for someone to understand,
to share the burden that weighs so heavily on my soul.
Yet, in the silence of my solitude,
I am left to wrestle with my demons alone.

Hope becomes a distant memory,
a flickering flame struggling to survive in the midst of an endless night.
Sleep escapes me, leaving me to wander through the darkness of my thoughts,
haunted by the specter of despair.

But even in my darkest moments, I cling to the belief
that somewhere, somehow, there is light to be found.
And so, I continue to write,
to pour out my heart onto the page,
in the hope that one day, the shadows will recede
and the sun will shine again.

@okelododdychitchats

She Loves God

Why am I shaking in town?
I thought I was okay.
Why do I feel like crying every time my mind switches to her?

She was just smiling.
I mean, I saw her smile on that phone call.

And you know, I hear she was very happy
while joking with her mates about how they’ll receive punishment if they don’t sing for God on Sunday.

She loves God, you know.
I often hear her say how God has moved her, and I see that too….

She was at the scene from the Lord’s house, the church, of course.
She had just received that good news that she shared with me before that heartbreaking call.

That call from Daktari wa Masomo, Dr. Bernard Alaka, forget that he’s called Bernard, ‘Boy’ sounds good on him…
He told me, “Prince, Mum amepata accident. Find a cab, and I’ll send you money to come.”

I was heartbroken.
I was like, “Didn’t she just finish praying to God, and even come here because of prayer?”

You know how sometimes you can question God, not blaming Him though…
I felt mad. I was really angry.

Anyways, I took a cab and went.
Everyone was there, all worried but happy because she was alive.

I went in to see her, and she said, “Baba, Bwana Asifiwe, Umekuja ?”
I saw that from her lips; she was not able to speak.

What I saw wasn’t pleasing, but I felt hope!
And the fact that members of the church were there with me till morning kept me strong.

I didn’t call any family member until morning.
They all came; people came.

And when she saw people she knew, I saw her feeling strong.
I know you’ll be fine, Mom, thanks to all for showing the love…

It’s made the two days that I have not slept completely feel like one minute.

@okelododdychitchats

Is Hope Toxic ?

Sometimes in life, we experience moments of strength, while at other times, we feel incredibly vulnerable. It’s like we’re constantly navigating through challenges, holding onto the hope that eventually, things will improve. But let’s face reality for a moment. Situations often unfold in one of three ways.

Firstly, there’s the beautiful outcome where our hopes and efforts materialize into something wonderful. It’s like seeing the light at the end of a tunnel grow brighter with each step forward. Then, there’s the stagnant scenario where things seem to have plateaued. It’s neither particularly good nor bad, just a state of perpetual mediocrity that can be oddly comforting yet disheartening.

And finally, there’s the ugly turn of events, where things spiral downward relentlessly. It’s the kind of situation that feels suffocating, like being trapped in a nightmare that only worsens with each passing day. This begs the question: Is hope merely a delusion? Should we simply work hard and let fate take its course? Because let’s be honest, hope can be crushing when it fails to materialize into something tangible.

I’m drawn to both listening and speaking. There’s something deeply enriching about storytelling—it’s like a balm for the soul, massaging and soothing the mind in the most exquisite manner. It brings solace and fulfillment. But amidst these narratives, a recurring theme emerges—the pursuit of purpose.

Some argue that our purpose is simply to exist, devoid of any grand fulfillment. But then reflecting on those individuals who strive tirelessly, yet seem to achieve naught. Why would God create people in his own image and likeness, only to consign them to a fate of perpetual disappointment? I think back to those classmates with hearts of gold, diligent in their efforts yet unable to break through the barriers of success. Why such struggle with no reward?

As humans, hope seems hardwired into our DNA. It’s the flickering flame we cling to amidst the darkest of nights. But what happens when that flame flickers out? What if our efforts yield no fruit? The inevitable result is despair, a heavy clothe that weighs upon the shoulders of the hopeful. They wear positivity like a second skin, yet despite their relentless efforts, victory remains elusive, leading to a cavernous pit of depression.

Is positivity toxic, then? Should we not cling to it so fiercely? How can we navigate this delicate balance between hope and despair? The rising tide of suicide speaks volumes, with economic woes often cited as a leading cause. It’s a painful realization when we lose someone who seemed to give their all, yet found solace only in the release of death.

So, I ask again: Is hope, is positivity, somehow toxic? And if so, how do we combat it? How do we rewrite this tragic story? Let’s open up the dialogue. Perhaps loosening our grip on positivity could offer a glimmer of relief. But one thing is clear: We must stand united against the scourge of depression. And as we reach out to those in need, let’s offer not just criticism, but practical solutions, a guiding hand to lead through the stormy seas of life.

@okelododdychitchats

Just Drop a Comment

When do you find yourself grabbing that pen and paper? Is it during tough times when emotions are running high, and writing feels like a way to tackle the challenges life throws at you? Or is it in moments of pure joy, when even the ordinary things bring happiness, and you catch yourself smiling at everyone, even someone you’re not too fond of? Personally, I used to think I was most creative when feeling a bit down, not necessarily to express my feelings but to capture what I saw in small gatherings at barazas, the lively conversations in tailoring shops, the buzz in barbershops, or even the snippets of life heard in matatus. Writing about these observations used to be a kind of therapy for me. However, recent realities have hit me hard, filling my once-bright mind with empty thoughts that have taken away my usual good vibes.

I’m not looking for sympathy here, I’m just curious about how your year is going. Is it turning out to be good, or are you facing some challenges? While it might be early to ask, haven’t they said that you can sense the quality of a day from the morning? Let’s think of that metaphorically. From talking to a few people, it seems that, despite some initial confusion, many are finding this year to be interesting. What’s interesting is the lack of the usual flood of boring “happy new year messages” and the absence of big unachievable resolutions. Instead, people seem to be having more practical discussions, focusing on solid financial plans and pursuing their interests with passion.

Going through the current situation is a bit of a challenge for me, with the uncertainty of tomorrow hanging over. I’ve never been one to predict the future, and while it might seem a bit tricky, there’s a sense of hope pushing me forward. My plan is simple: prioritize things that bring me joy and stay away from things that bore, drain, or stress me. Essentially, I want to create a happy space for myself and those around me….

How’s your year going? Share your thoughts in the comments! Let’s connect every Tuesday or on any day that suits you (we can vote a day). I am thinking about throwing in some interviews and sharing stories about different places. Just drop a comment to let us know what you’re enjoying and experiencing this year, and also, what topics you’d like us to dive into. I’m thinking of adding some opinionated sections. So, drop a comment – your input is crucial in shaping our conversations. Feel free to join the discussion! Just drop a comment !

@okelododdychitchats