BY ESTHER KARIN MNGODO
This is what I remember,
The first time I met Jim
He told me about Michelle
He told me, he married well.
When I met her, the seventh fellow,
I believed him.
He took me around the city in his Jeep
Bought me a Coca Cola and some chips
On the last day of my stay,
He made me cry at Henry’s store.
I told Jim, you must stop this love outpour.
But did he listen?
Did anyone listen?
Siobhan brought me soup when I was sick.
Kept me warm through the winter,
Gave me chocolate 90% bitter
As she herself got sweeter and sweeter.
Sweet was the chai we had at Naheed’s
She took me back to Dar es Salaam effortlessly
Bought some presents for my daughter,
I was always at home in her laughter.
Up the CN Tower we went on my birthday
With Silvia, every
day is a big day!
Full of life and energy!
In her, I learnt to let my spirit free.
I had my first Roti with Natalie
The first fellow to reach out to me.
Her words are soothing to my soul
The kindness of her heart makes me whole.
What can I say about Bob and Emily?
Oh how they have both been good to me.
Who were we before we met my beloveds?
How rich has my life become because of you
It’s in the little things that we said
And the little things that we did
That made my life more meaningful.
My memory is blurred by the joy I felt
Whale watching in Saint Andrew’s
Sharing the sauna in Helsinki
We are different people at different times
Thank you for bringing out the best in me
Thank you for being my family.
Asante sana.
