By Kampire Bahana. Photo by Darlyne Komukama

Farbeit from me
To foresee
A change in the wind’s direction
Or a twinkle in the eye of an unknowable God
Love will be our shelter, our mabati[1]

They say people make plans
And God laughs
But I will love you like a sigiri[2] in the rainy season
Like a hot cup of tea
Like the ancient Muvule tree
Under which my grandfather
First promised my kaaka
That he would love her eternally.

Rivers that roared before our parent’s time
Are now dammed to provide electricity
Bulbs replace hurricane lamps
And children grow up to forget their own tongues
We live life with no guarantee.
Few people in this world
Can hold in their hands
Something as certain and warm as the sun

Few people, my love, can look at their lives
And dream of being as lucky.

Kampire Bahana is a writer in Kampala, Uganda
[1] Iron sheet roof

[2] Charcoal stove