USA Africa Dialogue Series - "Wapelelezi 'tundu" (The Swahili Version Of My Poem "The Detectives' Den")

Wapelelezi 'tundu

Mayowe,

Madai ya kutokuwa na hatia,

Pleas kwa ajili ya rehema,

Mayowe.

wapelelezi pango

Ni kamili ya hostages.

 

Dawati maofisa wao

Kukaa nyuma ya madawati chakavu

Kuhesabu ransoms,

Files

Ukingo na minyororo ya dhamana.

 

Nyuma ya madawati

Mabango boriti;

"Polisi ni rafiki yako",

"Dhamana ni huru".

 

Ngozi

Ni splashed na magonjwa,

Miguu yua,

Mikono ni pingu nyuma.

 

 

Katika sauti mtetemeko

Hostages

Strapped wa fedha

Kuomba kusitishwa.

 

wengine wa ubinadamu

Kumkumbatia

Kutofautiana.

The Detectives' Den

Screams,

Claims of innocence,

Pleas for mercy,

Screams.

The detectives' den

Is full of hostages.

 

Desk Sergeants

Sit behind dilapidated desks

Counting ransoms,

Files

Brim with bail bonds.

 

Behind the desks

Banners beam;

"Police is your friend",

"Bail is free".

 

Skins

Are splashed with diseases,

Legs wobble,

Hands are handcuffed behind.

 

 

In quivering voices

Hostages

Strapped of cash

Beg for moratorium.

 

The rest of humanity

Hug

Indifference.

By Chidi Anthony Opara

 

 

 Links To My Books:

(1) i-proclaimbookstore.com
(2) i-proclaimbookstore.com
(3) i-proclaimbookstore.com
(4) wordclay.com
(5) wordclay.com