Long Mombasa Poems

Identity Apples

iam a fat skeleton, resurrecting 
from the sad memories of dada 
and dark mysteries of aminism 
iam buganda 
i bleed hope 
i drip the honey of fortune 
makerere, think tank of africa 
i dance...

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The Moon Also Rises
The Midwatch

Harry Mayer


The X.O.’s in the shower
and the Captain’s in his bed.
The Chiefs’ are playin’ poker
as we’re steamin’ to the Med.

“I’ll take that bet and raise you”
is what the Bo’sun says
from the...

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When ‘He’ decides to destroy one and all
I’ll spend my last day in this old snooker hall
My cue in one hand and a beer in the other
I’ll play my last game with my dad and...

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Six hundred and twenty kilometers we drove, all through the night to the quaint town of Mombasa. It had a feel of its own. A mix of Christians, Muslims, and agnostics. With 7 people squeezed...

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Recognize that the world is a beautiful place to live in
Recognize how your decisions affect people within
Search in their eyes the same fear that you have too
For we are all one kind the differences are...

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Coming from the same plane.....
They start talking, he offers to buy her a drink which she agrees 
A soft drink, it's just fanta
He shows her how to put the straw in through the lid
This is...

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In Kenya, they are called value-added taxes, “yani VAT”.
They change and increase every year
And are placed on everything under the sun.
The prices increase daily, 
But they say it would lead to everyone paying their fair...

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When I look at the Nile or Niger
My heart overflows with joy for such a wonder 
As currents daringly flow on each iconic river 
Every fountain has wealth embedded in its waters
Each mountain, sealed by...

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A belt of blue cheese at the feet
Makes the mountain beyond Bachuma gate
Glow in that mysterious hues that all distant 
Mountains carry upon their crooked humps

A wall behind which the Mombasa sun sheepishly hides
Until the...

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Long time in the agricultural field , working under the rising sun ,
counting the amount of time , to lead a lax time with my wife and son ,
the time never came , but I...

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MOMBASA

Full moon uneasiness
Veranda dining, seven course style,
One day after my thirty sixth birthday,
I dine alone, in a poem.
Waiting for the Moon to pass to wane 
and contemplate for Zanzibar, in vain. . .

MARATHON

Leawa Downs Marathon
Elevation...

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I was born in a landlocked getaway town
Where all the colors were black, gray, or brown.
Jobs at the steel mill were ratcheting down.
It was not in my future to stay.

So, I took a long walk...

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Strange shadows on these coral walls
stay hidden from the setting sun, 
yet creeping through the shafts of amber light
drag behind them to the high parapet
a cloak of utter darkness.

Fierce defended, now are none:
no frightened men...

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I was born and raised in this beautiful town
Where the smiles are warm from morning
And even warmer in the evening
Cause we live like one big family 

I know the streets by heart
Waking up to the...

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The town painted in white and blue
Beneath the blue skies that watch on
At its beauty for its white beaches 
And marvelous scenery by the water 

If I'd pick a destination for the holiday,
Definitely it would...

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My taste buds can't seem to shake
Off the sweet tastes of the towns food
It takes me back to the holy month of Ramadhan
When they'll be various vendors selling food 

I loved how people would buy...

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I love Africa, my beautiful Africa
I can roam in the bushes
I can run up the mountains
Down the valleys
Across the plains
Or get lost in the forests
Or the caves
I can soak the sun
On the sand at the...

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Beautiful white sands welcome my feet
into the ocean, with their soft, wet, coarse
sensation. The ocean is warm and cool
at the same time. It tempts me to stay
longer without uttering a word. Its
temptation, I swear it,...

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I’ve heard tell of some suicide cult in Kenya;
Poor folk pledged to starve themselves to death 
For God’s glory, and so malevolent surgeons 
Can harvest their organs for profit in trade.

Well, I’ve been to Kenya,...

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I'm yours forever or till the day 
that i die,
Would ice in a freezer ever dry?
The same way to you i'd never 
lie,
Don't doubt that i'll never say 
bye,
Until fate decides, lets stay 
fly. ;-)
To...

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