A Soul's Poetry

Down to the path she strode,

Her eyes downcast

A sadness over her face

Though emotionally distraught

Her charm shone through her eyes

Her dark skin radiant in the evening sun

(A voice called out from the forest)

Nyakio, daughter of Ngunjiri, why do you look sad, why have you left home

The home that your father built,

The house that your mother lived in,

The house she plastered when the dung was plenty,

Nyakio replied;

Wise one from the old,

You who sees the hearts of men,

You who knows and keeps secrets,

What wrong have I done to my step-mother,

I ground the millet for her,

I weeded her arrow roots,

I fetched water for her after,

I made her the porridge when she was weak,

Why do I get this in return?

Tell me you wise one.

The Wise one:

Worry not my daughter,

Life is always a slippery fish,

When you think you have it,

It slips back into the water,

Worry not about men who do evil,

Wipe your tears blessed one,

Let not the filthy ones smear you with mud,

As the morning dew shines in the morning,

And is gone by noon,

Nothing lasts forever,

Keep your paths straight,

Keep your mind right,

Nyakio:

But I have no strength left in me,

I have given all I could,

I will not go back,

I will not return to her hut,

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