"WHERE I AM FROM "

I am  from a wooden bed,

From cornmeal porridge and a bar of soap for washing clothes.

I am from the noisy and yet calm atmosphere,

( blue, extremely cold and its people use charcoal to warm “them” bodies).

I am from big mango trees, cocoa trees, 

and sweet-smelling flowers which disturb the noise each time I pass-by.

I am from the land of dreamers and believers,

From Ponziano, Nicolaus, Salome, Judith, 

and the noisy boy Innocent.

I am from the “ work hard child! “ and “ Keep God first”,

From “ Elimu ni mkombozi “

 and “don’t fight again, or I will tell your dad!”.

I am from Kambasegera, Rungwe, where “mbalaga” 

and milk make every child happy!

From a very smart grandpa who was a “ self-made” lawyer 

and no case would proceed in his absence,

From two brothers born on the same day, date, and month but different years!

I am from the “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” 

and merry Christmas,

From “bring all family pictures, I will keep them” 

a voice that whispers my memory daily.

I am from those deep family conversations, bonds,

 peals of laughter, and “optimism”-they remind me of one thing 

as I probe across the globe, “home is where our hearts dwell”. 

I am from the great tribe “Nyakyusa”,

 With our unique “Mwa…” initials,

 from the southern part of Tanzania. 

"Where I am from"-Hope Mwaibanje