Birthday Wishes To a Beloved Abroad

May your day be clad in bright chitenge (colorful flowing garments) and your ears filled with the music of falling waters! Lwa mitonda , kaizeli! (We miss you, sister!) See us run with arms outstretched like the wings of an airplane because, if we could, we would fly to you; see our encircling, turning legs like those of sprinting cyclists because, if we could, we would pedal to you; see us hop, in a sitting posture like that of a crazy taxi driver because, if we could, we would race to you. But we would rather have you here with us Africa ya kutonda, kaizeli! ( Africa misses you, sister!) Ku tezi batu - we are waiting for you ( We watch the horizon) Utwa, ba andamisa - come dance with us. (And the drums are beating) While distance separates you from us we talk about you, smile, and say: Mutu yo munde ki ya na ni sikoka kwa batu; (she will make many friends) and we want you to remember always: Ku sebeleza Mulimu, ki makalelo a butali. (it is more blessed to give than to receive) Be blessed, dear sister! We wish you peace, we wish you joy and above all, we wish you love.