Mafuriko by Euphrase Kezilahabi

Nitaandika wimbo juu ya mbawa za nzi Utoe muziki arukapo wausikie walio wengi Ushairi wa jalalani utaimbwa Juu ya vidonda vya wakulima Na usaha ulio jasho lao. Nitaandika juu ya mbawa za wadudu Wote warukao Juu ya mistari ya pundamilia Na masikio makubwa ya tembo. Juu ya kuta vyooni, maofisini, madarasani, Juu ya paa za nyumba, kuta za Ikulu, Na juu ya khanga na tisheti. Nitaandika wimbo huu: Mafuriko ya mwaka huu Yatishia nyumba kongwe bondeni. Waliomo wameanza kuihama Na miti ya umeme imeanguka. Palipokuwa na mwanga, sasa giza. Mafuriko ya mwaka huu! Mti mkongwe umelalia upande Wa nyumba zetu hafifu. Upepo mkali uvumapo hatulali. Kila kukicha twatazama mizizi yake Na mkao wake, na kuta hafifu za nyumba. Lazima ukatwe kuanzia matawi hadi shina Mafuriko ya mwaka huu yaashiria . . . Tutabaki kuwasimulia wajukuu: Mwaka ule wa mafuriko Miti mingi mikongwe ilianguka. Mafuriko ya mwaka huu! Wengi wataumbuka.

Flooding (literal translation of Euphrase Kezilahabi’s poem)

I will write a song about the wings of a fly Give the music as it flies so that the masses can hear it Jalalani poetry will be sung On the wounds of farmers And the pus in their sweat. I will write about the wings of insects All flying On zebra stripes And big elephant ears. On the walls in toilets, offices, classrooms, On the roofs of the houses, the walls of the Palace, And on the khanga and tisheti. I will write this song: This year’s flood It threatens the old house in the valley. Those in it have started to leave it And the electric trees have fallen. Where there was light, now it is dark. This year’s flood! An old tree is lying on its side Of our weak houses. When the strong wind blows we do not sleep. Each time we look at its roots And his position, and the weak walls of the house. It must be cut from the branches to the trunk This year’s floods indicate. . . We will remain to tell the grandchildren: The year of the flood Many old trees fell. This year’s flood! Many will remember.