Home » Poems » Christopher Mwashinga » Nostalgia

Nostalgia

Lately, I have been feeling nostalgic 
For my childhood in West Kilimanjaro,
Surrounded by siblings and parents—
Walking ten miles daily to attend school,
While playing and singing along the way.

Yes, I have been feeling nostalgic,
For my boyhood in West Kilimanjaro.
You know, enjoying mangos and sweet potatoes, 
Coupled with chewing the sugar cane, 
Or eating corn on the cob while playing the bao—
Was like a gift that had descended from heaven above.

My thoughts evoke sweet memories
Of the many cherished childish charms:
Memories of nature in its basic virgin state,
Beautiful and free from air pollution—
Free from human abuse and misuse.

I remember walking in the rain, playing with mud,
Listening to birds singing African songs,
Sometimes trying to sing along with them,
While watching colobus monkeys jumping in the trees;
Oh, to me, was like visiting an exotic country;
Was like being on vacation all year round.

Yes, lately I’ve been feeling nostalgic
For my childhood experience there. 
Running among the pinus patula trees
While picking their smiling golden cones,
Or playing hide and seek, among the deep-green
Nonsensical cypress trees—across the river; 
It brings joy to my heart to this very day.

Going fishing in River Simba, in the morning
Or sometimes late in the evening;
Especially over the weekends—
Bringing home those silvery cold water fishes—
Pure and cholesterol free—was really heroic.

Once in a while, Dad would permit me,
And my big brother, Godbless, with some friends,
To go into the woods for honey hunting,
Or for sweetest wild fruit picking—
One day I came back home with a swollen chick.
Bees had punished me for taking their honey.
Although the sting was bitter, the honey was sweet. 

Yes, lately, I have been feeling nostalgic.

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