Six lies I told at Trattoria

Six lies I told at Trattoria

Lies so spectacular, she should have called her lawyer

We were to meet at Steers, where burgers are cheap

But she opted for taste, so we crossed over for some pizzeria

The first lie was that am asthmatic

Can’t stay out late in cold and stuffy

Nairobi area

Second was that am due for promotion

Will buy her a house after the trip to

Her mothers

Third was that am a professional photographer

With a photo-studio full of celebrities and portraits

She likes

Fourth was that am a political gatekeeper

Mingling with the mighty, connected

To power

Fifth was that am not religious

Never took sacrament, from Francis

The Pope

The last was that I like hot chocolate

Set her on a wild chase, for paper cups

From Java

I also mentioned that I was once a boxer

Danced around the ring, in fights

For sponsors

Now you understand my glee and dilemma

It’s now ten years since I wish I had told her

It was all for show, when we had lunch

At Trattoria

***

Trattoria, Nairobi Dec 2015

Trattoria restaurant Nairobi, Image courtesy of Brian J. McMorrow  http://www.pbase.com/bmcmorrow/image/54793086 

My six rings

I've got six rings on my left fingers
Give them to friends who meant it all
in a season so hazy, am lucky to now write

The first is to Michael, 
my younger brother
dancing his way, inseparable from his cause

The second is to Mose
my campus buddy
Conquering foreign exchanges, to bring home the bread

The thirds is to Edgar,
my basketball team-mate
Now a behemoth, graceful and conscious

The fourth is to Vincent,
that soft-spoken ninja
A friend in need, born for this time

The fifth is to Edwin,
that overweight apostle
A child of circumstances, now dining with Kings

Last but not least
that wonder-boy James,
A man of many skills, contradicting but timely

I wish I had more
but rings are expensive
they cost both time and heat to test

With the six am free from the shackles of need
Accept me as I am
Coz I've now come of age

* * *
Club 227 
9/12/2015

My six beds

I've got six beds in this unfortunate city
Tragic necessity for a man on the run
Two are temporary while three are leased
So its one out of six that does give me rest

I've got six married friends in this forsaken city
Subdued priorities negotiated in lust
Two gave up while three are on their way
So its one out of six that will never be free

I've got six bank accounts in this expensive city
Extravagant habits imposed by greed
Two are empty while three are overdrawn
So its one out of six that maintains my supplies

I've got six undocumented children in this hidden city
Defective contraceptives from ratchets I regret
Two I don't remember while three are yet to be named
So its one out of six that am yet to figure out

So you see its the sixes that break my luck
But the seventh day I look to
For there lies my hope

* * *
Nov 2015