Kifo ni Kizungumkuti Kweli: Death is a Mystery

Life Gone Too Soon--- R.I.P. Owen.

Kifo ni kizungumkuti kweli

Sikielewi, sikibaini katu

Death is a mystery

I don’t understand it

Kifo ni kama mlio wa radi

Kingurumapo dharuba yake huipuliza maisha

Death is a rumble of thunder

When it roars, a life is blown away

Kifo ni mwangwi

Ni kama upepo unaovuma kwa kasi

Death is an echo

It is like wind blowing furiously

Kifo ni sauti mwanana

Ni mziki mwororo sikio la mja huitikia

Death is a soft lilting voice

It is a soft music humans hear

Kifo ni uchungu, majonzi, simanzi

Ni jakamoyo linalokata maini

Death is pain, sadness, tears

It is a hacksaw into the liver

Kifo ni njia yetu sote waja

Leo tupo, kesho hatupo

Death is Our Path, pilgrims,

Today we are, tomorrow we are gone

Kifo ni tandabelua

Usiku wa kiza, unaogubika furaha

Death is uncertainty

A dark night, a silhouette of sorrow

Kifo ni maswali yaso majibu

Migongano ya hisia tofauti

Death is a puzzle

A mishmash of varied feelings

Kifo ni jembe dogo la kiserema

La kupalilia maua yaliyonyaushwa

Death is a small hoe

To harvest wilted flowers

Kifo ni lolote lile

La kutukumbusha sub’ra

Death is anything

To remind us of the virtue of patience

Kifo ni gari

Lisilo na dereva, japo wa ajabu

Death is a vehicle

Without a driver, yet a mysterious one

Kifo ni shubiri kwenye koo

Kifo ni pumzi kwenda mbio

Death is an aloe to the throat

Death is fast breathe

Kifo ni kibao kaburini

Kisemacho, “Usinitazame makaburini”

Death is an epitaph

Saying, “Don’t look for me in the cemetery”

Kifo ni mawazo, fikra

Ambayo hatutoizika kaburini

Death is memories, reminiscence

That can’t be buried

Kifo ni furaha, ni sherehe

Japo ya maisha yaliyoisha haraka

Death is happiness, a celebration

Though for a life nipped in the bud

*******

This poem is an elegy to a good friend of mine who passed on. We studied Law together. We were in the same firm together. This morning, I got the sad news that he had passed on. Till we meet, Owen Ndika, till we meet. You took death bravely and Tororot saw it befitting to call you. And as we, mere mortals and pilgrims on this Earth, celebrate your life, may Tororot give us peace and strength. It is difficult for your parents and relatives but let Tororot, the Ultimate Comforter, be with them.