Under the stern, watchful superintendence
Of whispering palms on the white sand coast
Where a thousand strong bow to the breeze
And thousands more swing to the beat
Giriama dancers caress their kayambas
With bared breasts teasing the gathering
With bared chests beating the drums
Enhanced buttocks mesmerizing the palms
And semi-nude tourists wondering aloud
How this state of undress survived it all.
The waters of the ocean had receded
To eat grass, those in the know said
And would return in an hour or two
The sun had climbed above our heads
Fiercely defending its lofty position
As the coast dancers in seeming ease
Perhaps unafraid of the damning rays
Defied the heat in typical fashion
And dared the eager, curious visitors
To shake a leg, or break it trying!
I had an Ananas
Served by a Barefooted waiter
Around a Bonfire
When the Boats came in
Through the clear waters
The Cameras went Click Click
As the Crabs ran into the sea
We dried our towels on the Dwarf palms
The Excitement made the Fishermen drink Safari Cane
And Goody joined the Giriama dance.
And the German swung in the green Hammock
There was Hot water in the showers at midnight
Children of the Island don’t like to fish
She taught me the value of the Mangrove
As we sunk the seeds in the Mud
The New age walls are something
And Omari loved Riding in the boat
Forgot all about the Rusted shower heads
Sleeping under nets in the Sand
Alerted us to Sunrise
And Seashells tattooed our faces
The Salty water and Smoke
Soaking in the Sun and building Sandcastles
With Sea weed from sparkling sea water
Telling Tales under a star studded sky
Terse smiles from in-laws who were shy
The Watermelon was super.
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