"matatu" poems - Hello Poetry

Inspired by Emily Dickinson’s Life. As the clock strikes midnight in a perfect world, they only want to know one thing: What does your soul look like? In the beginning, three sat together in darkness, sweating and chewing miraa, talking of unlikely things and dreams while ******* down Tusker. It was refreshing to be nobody, soft baiting the line and wasting time gambling shilingi. The sun outside set sooner than expected, dipping well below the low buildings, so they ventured out into the cobalt blue evening, not thinking too much about who might be listening, speaking bravely as their words and jokes slowed down beside shadows beyond the city lights. Laughing more, the three hopped on a matatu at Kimkambala, smelling the final wisps of dinner in each passing village, watching as a purse got pulled just paces from the road, until they got off by Fort Jesus. Further and further, they treaded home, walking alongside the Indian Ocean - Through the thick, green night, almost fog-like, tip-toeing by an old man and his flashlight; he slept soundly on the steps of that corner storefront. The three whispered their goodbyes, and headed separate ways. The youngest of them slid easily between the narrow alleyways, and finally through braided black bars. With the turn of a treasure-chest key, he was back in the courtyard, walking past the stripped bones of yesterday’s catch, where he decided to make his permanent address, today. He had dwelled where dreams are born, but only for a day, and searched to find sunset in the tip of a cup – when the sunset was enough. He knew that it was too much as he asked a stranger to fill him up to the brim, and told him not to worry, he would say “when.” He had worked hard to lay down his guilt on the altar, and not return to gin, making this decision: He decided that being born to homeless winds doesn’t mean that you have to be homeless, and as he climbed the broom-swept maroon steps, up to the roof, he breathed deeply. How pleasant it was to look out onto the sea, reflecting the pearly moon, so beautifully.

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Feb 16, 2011

Feb 16, 2011 at 12:49 PM UTC

ted-boughter-dornfeld

Mombasa

Inspired by Emily Dickinson’s Life. As the clock strikes midnight in a perfect world, they only want to know one thing: What does your soul look like? In the beginning, three sat together in darkness, sweating and chewing miraa, talking of unlikely things and dreams while ******* down Tusker. It was refreshing to be nobody, soft baiting the line and wasting time gambling shilingi. The sun outside set sooner than expected, dipping well below the low buildings, so they ventured out into the cobalt blue evening, not thinking too much about who might be listening, speaking bravely as their words and jokes slowed down beside shadows beyond the city lights. Laughing more, the three hopped on a matatu at Kimkambala, smelling the final wisps of dinner in each passing village, watching as a purse got pulled just paces from the road, until they got off by Fort Jesus. Further and further, they treaded home, walking alongside the Indian Ocean - Through the thick, green night, almost fog-like, tip-toeing by an old man and his flashlight; he slept soundly on the steps of that corner storefront. The three whispered their goodbyes, and headed separate ways. The youngest of them slid easily between the narrow alleyways, and finally through braided black bars. With the turn of a treasure-chest key, he was back in the courtyard, walking past the stripped bones of yesterday’s catch, where he decided to make his permanent address, today. He had dwelled where dreams are born, but only for a day, and searched to find sunset in the tip of a cup – when the sunset was enough. He knew that it was too much as he asked a stranger to fill him up to the brim, and told him not to worry, he would say “when.” He had worked hard to lay down his guilt on the altar, and not return to gin, making this decision: He decided that being born to homeless winds doesn’t mean that you have to be homeless, and as he climbed the broom-swept maroon steps, up to the roof, he breathed deeply. How pleasant it was to look out onto the sea, reflecting the pearly moon, so beautifully.

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On the way I come Highway that jam Fumes and smoke Outskirts of a town Worries and strain Cars up and down Headache a spark! I call it my travel Inside a matatu van Heating and boiling us Or me I be specific No music to flow This is turning rough Maybe Next time I should be on my person

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Jan 19, 2015

Jan 19, 2015 at 3:18 AM UTC

kfc

on my way

On the way I come Highway that jam Fumes and smoke Outskirts of a town Worries and strain Cars up and down Headache a spark! I call it my travel Inside a matatu van Heating and boiling us Or me I be specific No music to flow This is turning rough Maybe Next time I should be on my person

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BROKEN PIECES BROKEN PIECES Yesterday your side chicken called me she said shes the new love of your life she mocked me, told me I don't know how to keep my man she said I should start packing before I get humiliated everything is now making sense the red flags are now flying high in the sky Isn't it obvious you can't keep a man who doesn't want to be kept or should I sign up for a short course on dog walking To put him on a leash Is she the reason why last Friday you skipped our dinner date what was the reason again you were working late? Is she the reason why you screamed at me the other night because I touched your phone Is she the reason why you started wearing that expensive cologne? or Do you still want to go with the same lie that you "sat next to a man in the matatu who's wearing that scent?" Is she the reason why you seem so distant and cold Is she the reason why you pick all your calls outside Is she the reason why you always go out to "cool off" after an argument Oh wait you want to blame me for your mistake I got busy with work huh? I got a little bit fatter? I have been stuffing myself with a lot of proteins? I thought you liked big and heavy girls oops! my bad your taste changed It's petite all the way I have become so nagging by asking about the future of this relationship? Why did you cheat on me Why did you hurt my feelings Why did you disrespect me Why did you make me look stupid for loving you What about the promises you made of never leaving Being my ride or die Bleeding when I hurt Was Demi Lovato right about promising me no promises? Did you mean your Words? If you say you do why are we here? Do I leave? Do I stay? How do I just throw away 4 years of growth where am I going to take all this love I feel for you If I walk out from us will I be able to live without you? If I stay will there be a burial for my soul? Will you change? Or is this just the onset of a tsunami that is about to hit me hard why did you put us in this mess? We were doing so well right? or was it just me thinking that? Did you think of my love before you cheated Did you Atleast think of me before you cheated Did you think of me when you first approached her Did you think of me when you first asked for her number Did you think of me when you first texted her Did you think of me when you told her about your day Did you think of me when you realized you had formed an emotional connection Did you think of me when you went over to her place and had a physical connection so why are you lying saying you're still thinking of me and our love?

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Jul 27, 2020

Jul 27, 2020 at 2:27 PM UTC

Sheerow

BROKEN PIECES

BROKEN PIECES BROKEN PIECES Yesterday your side chicken called me she said shes the new love of your life she mocked me, told me I don't know how to keep my man she said I should start packing before I get humiliated everything is now making sense the red flags are now flying high in the sky Isn't it obvious you can't keep a man who doesn't want to be kept or should I sign up for a short course on dog walking To put him on a leash Is she the reason why last Friday you skipped our dinner date what was the reason again you were working late? Is she the reason why you screamed at me the other night because I touched your phone Is she the reason why you started wearing that expensive cologne? or Do you still want to go with the same lie that you "sat next to a man in the matatu who's wearing that scent?" Is she the reason why you seem so distant and cold Is she the reason why you pick all your calls outside Is she the reason why you always go out to "cool off" after an argument Oh wait you want to blame me for your mistake I got busy with work huh? I got a little bit fatter? I have been stuffing myself with a lot of proteins? I thought you liked big and heavy girls oops! my bad your taste changed It's petite all the way I have become so nagging by asking about the future of this relationship? Why did you cheat on me Why did you hurt my feelings Why did you disrespect me Why did you make me look stupid for loving you What about the promises you made of never leaving Being my ride or die Bleeding when I hurt Was Demi Lovato right about promising me no promises? Did you mean your Words? If you say you do why are we here? Do I leave? Do I stay? How do I just throw away 4 years of growth where am I going to take all this love I feel for you If I walk out from us will I be able to live without you? If I stay will there be a burial for my soul? Will you change? Or is this just the onset of a tsunami that is about to hit me hard why did you put us in this mess? We were doing so well right? or was it just me thinking that? Did you think of my love before you cheated Did you Atleast think of me before you cheated Did you think of me when you first approached her Did you think of me when you first asked for her number Did you think of me when you first texted her Did you think of me when you told her about your day Did you think of me when you realized you had formed an emotional connection Did you think of me when you went over to her place and had a physical connection so why are you lying saying you're still thinking of me and our love?

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