Tag: poem

brasilândia- in verse

What is Brasilândia? A many layered thing- literally. A mix of textures, colours, sounds, “lá tudo nublado, aqui tudo colorido” as my host sister put it, The day she took me on a walk through her colourful neighbourhood. A slice of life all in one short street. Where the church and local pub vie for customers and airspace- and the tousle keeps you up on a Saturday night- It’s a…

goodbye poem

São Paulo by morning- when I last left you, já era noite. But in this morning light I see your predios, tall, multi-floor- um pedaço do ceu pra cada um, housing your workers- some of them. And in between, a glimpse of Baiano brick- It’s not all street and concrete. The jacaranda tree we passed- was that your gift to me as I say goodbye? Graffiti here and there, and…

drums heating up

      Dimas and Ro take turns checking the readiness of the drums: ta! ta! on the biggest drum- almost ready;ta! on the middle-sized one- this one too;ta! ta! … ta! ta! ta!the smaller ones- candongueros are not quite done yet.One more application of cachaça, and move them closer to the flames,that should do it. And add some wood to the fire. read the full post here

hukuskia?

The past could not imagine me,the present has not imagined me.contemporary modern woman? Of courseI have to speak in correctBritish English, exhalingvowels and consonantsthrough my nose…roll my tongue… Lakini wapi?Hata hiyo mdomo ikijaribuhaiwesmake – na bila apology.Walisahau kuambia nahodha,lugha ilikuja ikimwagikanga kwa njia. Na hii hatukuisaveka petroli ya tanker Mombasa Highway imeanguka. A-ah.Hii tuka- finyanga, seremala, chomelea,guzishia, nyongesea. Ikawa yetu.Hukuskia nguo ya kuombwahaifunikangi rasa? “ngumu kwangu Kizungu fluentlakini huezi command…