heart breaker

i was taught to be a heart breaker
society raised me that way
being a gentle man was wrong
so i had to be right
i got the three simple rules
1. pretend to be interested
then lose all interest
2. notice nothing new
3. make them think that it is their idea
I was raised to be a heart breaker so that
girls would blame themselves
and never me

i was taught it was good
to be bad
better to be cruse
amazing to be harsh
so i learnt to hurt
hurt those who do not deserve it
because society want more like me
heart breakers

I never wrote her poems
it would make me soft
I never bought her roses
I'd rather be a thone
I never gave her kisses
so she would hate me to the bone
i was raised to be a heartbreaker

mothers, warn your daughters
fathers, brace your knuckles
because she will come home,
teary and solemn
bitter and broken, 
and i will be to blame
i was raised to be better
but i am a heartbreaker.

 

tears

I let my tear fall
fall only when I'm am by the river
by the river
in the rain,
drenched, wet and alone
I let my tears fall.

I have heard
that men should not cry
it makes them weak
so I hide mine
And cry on the inside

The pain I feel
could make a grown man cry
the hurt gave a different pain
pain that left tears inside
tears that cant be seen
that can never be seen

I let my tears fall
fall only when I know they fall
Do my crying in the rain
because the pain she gave me
was a special kind of pain
so i cry in the rain,
by the river
to drain my pain

LOST

I have been lost for too long,
I have been walking this path:
desolate and disdainful
I have walked this path
till i can walk it no more

i have tried to conform
Tried to be what you prescribed
and i lost who i am
who I was
I became a ghost

i need to get back to myself
be who i need to be
be who I must be
be who i am meant to be
be me

so pull back
and let me be
find my way back
and this one time
let me be myself
i have been lost
lost for too long

art and society

What is the place of art in kenyan education? Being that a number of students are coming up, as artists, writers, performers and so much more, this is a question that needs answering. I am a passionate person when it comes to the arts. And I must admit that it is encouraging to meet people who share the same passion and are willing to help others nurture their various talents.

In Kenya, before the year 2007, the only stages for the arts were the drama festivals, music festivals and, for those who are lucky, the theatres and tv. What's more, not that many principals are willing to support the arts. Quite a number of parents murder the children's talents 'summarily. These individuals have a bigoted belief that nothing positive can come from the arts. They suffocate students in books and ancient systems that have been surpassed by time.some of them have gone to the extent of calling the arts demonic.

I am grateful to all those who are doing their part to aid the talents. Kenya poets lounge, slam africa, sitawa (especially for using the arts to address the issue on mental health) The BOGOF, PAWA 254 and so many more that have helped poets and artists find their feet. It is through the actions of such groups and individuals that the arts are gaining the prominence they deserve. I hope that in time more of these avenues may continue to come up to assist the youth grow.

I would also plead with event organisers to bring more teenagers into the fold. Most events tend to go on breaks during the holidays while they could work to nurture them. being a literature teacher i come across a number of them who can sing, dance, play, and compose awesome works of art. I am currently coaching a student whose works blows me away everytime she opens her mouth. unfortunately all the poetry event are on haietus when schools close. perhaps i could get her to send you some of the stuff she does, and she is just one among many.

in conclusion, i hope that more people open their eyes to the arts and empower all the artists that they come across.

calling

I heard her voice
And it was nothing human-
Soft and angelic-
sounding every note of the symphonic
stealing my heart,
soothing my soul
giving serenity
to my manic mind
her voice spoke truth,
more than that
it spoke volumes
sung of the wrongs
we are blind to
those we accept
as common norms
I heard her voice
The sunshine serenade
That cast out darkness

I still hear her voice
calling to me
speaking to me
through the hushed walls
of my stone heart