Black is Beautiful

I am a black kid, they say, a child of the night
With skin as dark as the ebony sky
But is black truly beautiful, or just a lie?
A lie told to comfort those who fear the unknown
I am rich in melanin, they say, but is it a gift or a curse?
My rough, hairy skin a canvas of deep brown hues

They say black ain’t good enough, sio rangi ya thao
That beauty lies in lighter tones, like vanilla or cream
But what about the beauty in diversity?
In the rich shade of colors that make up humanity
Should I be bold with my blackness, embrace it with pride?
Or hide in shame, letting their words pierce my fragile heart

I try to see beauty in my reflection, but all I see is darkness
Ugly thoughts creeping into my mind, telling me I’m less than
Forget my big ears, they say, it’s all about my skin
My skin that marks me as different, as other
They call me a monkey, comparing my hair to fur
As if my blackness makes me less than human

I walk the streets with my head held low
Feeling the weight of their stares, their judgment
They see a criminal in me, not a child
A child with dreams and hopes, just like any other
Do I not belong to this world, to this society?
Or am I destined to always be an outsider

But I refuse to let their words define me
I am more than just a shade of black
I am a child of the night, yes, but also a child of the sun
I am rich in melanin, my skin a testament to my roots
I am beautiful in my own right, in my own way
And I will walk with confidence, no matter what they say

So let them call me black, let them call me ugly
I will wear my darkness like a crown
For I am a black kid, proud and unapologetic
A reminder that beauty comes in all shades
And that true beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder
I am a black kid, and I am beautiful.

@okelododdychitchats

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

When I Die

When I die, my body will lie still,
No longer will it feel the thrill
Of life’s wild ride, of joy and pain,
No longer will it dance in the rain.

The beating of my heart will cease,
No longer will it bring me peace
In moments of excitement and fear,
No longer will it whisper in my ear.

My eyes will close, no longer to see
The wonders of the world around me,
The colors, the beauty, the light,
Gone forever into the night.

My ears will hear no more sweet sound,
No laughter, no music will be found
To soothe my soul, to lift me high,
To make me smile, to make me cry.

My hands will lay at my side,
No longer will they be my guide
In reaching out to touch, to feel,
To hold onto what is real.

My legs will no longer walk,
No longer will they run or talk
In the language of movement, of grace,
No longer will they set the pace.

But when I die, I will not mourn,
For I will be reborn
Into the arms of eternity,
Into the embrace of infinity.

I will become one with the earth,
A part of the never-ending birth
Of life and death, of love and pain,
Of sunshine and of rain.

I will become a memory,
A whisper in the wind that is free
To dance and sing and fly,
To soar into the endless sky.

When I die, do not weep for me,
For I will be forever free
From the chains of mortal life,
From the struggles and the strife.

I will be a spirit pure and bright,
A star shining in the night,
A beacon of hope, a ray of light,
Guiding you through the darkest night.

So when I die, remember me,
Not as I was, but as I will be
In the realms of the unknown,
In the mysteries yet to be shown.

For death is not an end, but a beginning,
A new chapter in the story still spinning
Of life and love and dreams,
Of what is not as it seems.

@okelododdychitchats

Stay With Me

You see, I always say,
There’s beauty in what’s clear,
In your smile bright as day,
A charm that’s very wonderful.
Your face, an amazing work of art,
The way you sit so calm and free,
Each time you look, you take my heart,
With grace, like a dancing tree.
I know you might feel tired,
Of hearing this now and then,
But please, don’t get sad,
Take in these words, my sincere poem.
And if you’re reading these lines,
Don’t leave, stay with me,
Though I’m not your top choice now,
Someday I’ll be greater than you realize.
I’m aware I don’t fit your preference ,
But soon, you’ll realize,
My value will pave the way,
For a love made together.
Your beauty stops my world,
A fact that’s clear and bright,
In every smile, every twist,
You’re as lovely as rain in summer

@okelododdychitchats

See You Soon

“The ambulance cannot transport your patient to Migori,” were the indifferent words spoken by the receptionist at the hospital where my mother had been admitted for two weeks without adequate care. While I refrain from mentioning the hospital’s name, I do so out of gratitude for the exceptional care provided by some of the nurses and two doctors. Accompanied by my brother-in-law and uncle, we were in the midst of arranging a transfer to a facility closer to home for proper care. Our home is in Rongo, Migori County, and all this time, we were in the cold, unfamiliar highlands of Kikuyu town.

I know you’re wondering why we were in Kikuyu when we’re from Rongo. Just give me one second to explain. My mother was attending a women’s conference in Kiambu town, and on a Thursday evening, while heading to their hotel with her fellow female believers, she was knocked down by a speeding motorist who was drunk and driving on the wrong side of the road. I wrote about the incident, but instead of directing you to a link, allow me to paste it here!

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.

***

I won’t dwell on it much, but let me say all is well. Today, we’re in an ambulance, headed to a facility of our choice in Migori County. In the back of the ambulance, I’m accompanied by a paramedic from Eagles Nursing Home, her name is Patricia. She’s calm, professional, appears to be around 21 years old, wearing grey Vans shoes, and she’s scrolling down her Samsung Galaxy Note “Something.” Beside my mother, who’s in a lot of pain and sweating profusely, sits my aunt, Nyar Seme, she looks worried. She hasn’t eaten anything since morning, and besides her concern for her sister-in-law, I bet she’s hungry and tired. I’m seated next to my mum and Patricia, the paramedic. Yes, remember her? I’m worried, asking myself when we’ll reach Rongo because I can feel my mum’s pain.

In the front, we have the driver, Jeff. I met Jeff at the hospital; he was from Garissa, bringing a patient, a police officer who was badly injured in an attack. We had just been informed that the facility ambulance couldn’t take us to Mashinani, and then God brought Jeff to us in the midst of our distress after calling several service providers whose fees we couldn’t afford. Jeff had the exact ambulance we were instructed to use. He’s a good man. He’s seated with my uncle, Uncle Oloo, the kind of man who can rescue you from anything, anytime. He loves sports, was a footballer, and enjoys doing handy jobs. Isn’t that enough with my humble descriptions?

The weather is unfriendly, Oh my God ! it’s raining heavily, I mean kunanyesha very bad, the kind of rain that I would describe as “it was raining cats and dogs” in my lower primary composition. What we’re witnessing is quite threatening; soil has been swept onto the tarmac by the waters, the road is resembling a farm where vehicles are stuck and unable to move. There’s traffic, and it’s in the middle of nowhere. Thank God, we have been given way because we are in an ambulance and we’re just utilizing one of those favors of riding in an ambulance. Anyway, we need to get to the next facility, which is almost a 4-hour drive away, real quick!

My ink is depleted, as well as my creativity for now. I can’t promise to keep you posted, but we’ll catch up on my next piece, and let me give some hope that Mum will be all right. See you soon!

@okelododdychitchats

Wheel of Time

My car has been through a lot, driven by many hands,
Traveling diverse routes, facing potholes and deathly bends.
It’s been tough, surviving punctures and rough rides,
But now, it’s showing signs, secrets it no longer hides.

The steering wheel, once so familiar and warm,
Now feels distant, like facing a brewing storm.
The engine, once steady, now leaks strange oil,
A metaphor, maybe, for a love spoiled.

I’ve loved this car, but it’s failed me in a way,
It’s become a wreck, like a love gone astray.
I fear driving it, scared it might fail,
So, sadly, I must say goodbye, hit the trail.

It’s time for a change, a new start, a new lane,
Where loyalty is strong, and trust doesn’t wane.
So, with a heavy heart, I’ll let go of this ride,
And find a new one, where love will abide.

@okelododdychitchats

Rain, Go Away !

Rain, rain,
it’s not mother’s washing day,
But,
please hold off for now.

Maybe return another day,
but when you do,
come gently.

We need your nourishing touch
to keep our crops healthy
and our roads clear.

But please, be gentle,
don’t flood our homes
or harm our families.

Let us go about our business in peace,
let your presence be a blessing, not a curse.

For now,
it’s best you go away
and give the soil a chance to breathe.

Our feet need relief from the mud,
our floors from the stagnant water,
and our roofs from the constant drumming of your drops.

Let us take a moment
to recover from the losses we’ve already endured as a country.
Just Go away for now !

@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

Fear and Desire

Loving someone deeply, it’s like standing on the edge of a cliff, feeling the exhilarating rush of emotions while simultaneously trembling with fear of the unknown. You can sense the depth of your love, like a warm hug wrapping around your soul, but expressing it feels like navigating a puzzle of uncertainties.

The words “I love you” hang heavy on your tongue, like precious gems waiting to be unearthed, yet somehow they remain lodged in the depths of your heart, hesitant to escape. The thought of losing her sends shivers down your spine, like a chilling gust of wind sweeping through your core, leaving you breathless and anxious.

The titles of boyfriend or husband seem like weighty crowns, heavy with expectations and responsibilities you’re not sure you’re ready to bear. The idea of promising forever feels like building a castle on shifting sands, unsure if the foundation will hold against the relentless tides of time.

And the thought of her bearing your name, becoming Mrs. Okelo, feels like drawing a line in the sand, a boundary between the known and the unknown, between comfort and vulnerability. You know you want to be with her, to share your life and dreams, but something holds you back, like invisible chains tethering you to your fears and uncertainties.

You’re haunted by the specter of failed relationships, like ghosts from the past whispering tales of heartbreak and betrayal, leaving scars that refuse to fade. The fear of watching love turn to hate, of seeing the once cherished title of Mrs. Okelo into the bitter resentment of a proud Miss, cuts deep into your soul, a wound that never seems to heal.

But amidst the darkness of doubt and fear, there is a glimmer of hope, a flicker of courage burning bright within you. You want to confront these fears, to unravel their tangled web and emerge stronger on the other side. You may not know how to tackle it, or how you’ll survive it, but you’re willing to take that leap of faith, to face the unknown head-on, because love, true love, is worth every ounce of fear and uncertainty.

@okelododdychitchats