A STAR IS BORN
Started writing poetry in high school,
Terrifying but fun,
Part of English curriculum;
Climax was winning, a Merit Award,
Of the National Secondary School Poetry Competition,
Organized by British Council,
in collaboration, with the Government of Kenya.
Thereafter, had stints with writing,
Co-editor of Yearbook, at university of undergraduate,
Personal Finance columnist,
Started writing poetry in high school,
Terrifying but fun,
Part of English curriculum;
Climax was winning, a Merit Award,
Of the National Secondary School Poetry Competition,
Organized by British Council,
in collaboration, with the Government of Kenya.
Thereafter, had stints with writing,
Co-editor of Yearbook, at university of undergraduate,
Personal Finance columnist,
For local Tanzanian newspaper,
And, loads of writing for Daily Bread;
Creativity shriveled, in recess of fond memories,
Writer's block arrived.
Driven to unleash creative energy,
Pregnant with unborn dreams,
Driven to making a difference,
Decided to start weekly salsa parties,
Loving Life Living Love campaigns,
Inspired by dance as poetry in motion,
Compelled to flag cancer cause,
Bringing people together, having a good time.
Six months later, high on friends,
Stressed by DJs, never ending demands,
Struck by the reality, of "more sweat than fun",
Knew it was time to move on,
When a "Balozi" called me the Mayor of Dar es Salaam!
Along came Neema, call out of the blue,
"Elsie" she said, "you've been going on and on about poetry;
I've been to an impromptu poetry evening,
Of writers and publishers,
And, loads of writing for Daily Bread;
Creativity shriveled, in recess of fond memories,
Writer's block arrived.
Driven to unleash creative energy,
Pregnant with unborn dreams,
Driven to making a difference,
Decided to start weekly salsa parties,
Loving Life Living Love campaigns,
Inspired by dance as poetry in motion,
Compelled to flag cancer cause,
Bringing people together, having a good time.
Six months later, high on friends,
Stressed by DJs, never ending demands,
Struck by the reality, of "more sweat than fun",
Knew it was time to move on,
When a "Balozi" called me the Mayor of Dar es Salaam!
Along came Neema, call out of the blue,
"Elsie" she said, "you've been going on and on about poetry;
I've been to an impromptu poetry evening,
Of writers and publishers,
And have been tasked to do this again;
I'm much too busy, Can you help me organize it?"
Thrilled by prospect, of Walk the Talk,
Bumped into Sarah and Paul of the Novel Idea,
Impulsively asked, and they thought it was a good idea;
Roped in fellow Rotarians of the Bahari – Dar es Salaam,
Off we were, poetry jamming,
On last Tuesday of every month.
Two years on, hard to believe it's been that long,
Stand here before you,
Humbled by the talent,
That's been hidden for so long,
Under 13 to 60 plus,
Stunned by awesome beauty,
I'm much too busy, Can you help me organize it?"
Thrilled by prospect, of Walk the Talk,
Bumped into Sarah and Paul of the Novel Idea,
Impulsively asked, and they thought it was a good idea;
Roped in fellow Rotarians of the Bahari – Dar es Salaam,
Off we were, poetry jamming,
On last Tuesday of every month.
Two years on, hard to believe it's been that long,
Stand here before you,
Humbled by the talent,
That's been hidden for so long,
Under 13 to 60 plus,
Stunned by awesome beauty,
Of heartfelt passions and revelations,
Immensely grateful,
Immensely grateful,
For the Community that we have become,
This Family of poets,
FANANI FLAVA.
- Elsie Kanza, 2nd Anniversary, 3 November 2007
- Elsie Kanza, 2nd Anniversary, 3 November 2007
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