Kisima The Well

Kisima

Kisima cha maji ya uzima ki wazi
Na vyura katika bonde la taaluma watuita
Tujongee kwa mahadhi yao
Yaongozayo pandikizi la mtu
Kwa hatua ndefu litembealo
Na sindano ya shaba kitovuni
Upinde na mishale mkononi
Kisha likapiga goti kisimani
Tayari kumfuma akaribiaye
Maana shujaa hafi miongoni mwa wezi
Bali kama simba mawindoni.
 
Hatuwezi tena kuteka maji
Na kalamu zetu zimekauka wino.
Nani atamsukuma kwa kalamu
Aitwe shujaa wa uwongo!
Aliyeitia kitovuni kwa hofu
Ingawa tegemeo hakulipata
Alifungua mlango uelekeao
Katikati ya ujuzi na urazini mpya
Mwanzo wa kizazi tukionacho.
 

The Well

In the birthplace of civilisation
the spring of health is open to all.
The croaking frogs draw us closer,
their chorus leading the giant
who approaches with long, loping strides.
A copper dagger pierces his navel.
With a bow and arrow clasped in his hands
he kneels down by the spring,
ready to attack anyone who approaches:
a hero never dies surrounded by thieves,
a hero dies like alone, like a wounded lion.
 
We cannot draw water from the well any longer
and the ink in our pens has run dry.
He who presses on with the pen
will be called a hero of deceipt.
He who is fearful yet stands firm,
even unsupported,
will open the opposite door:
that between wisdom and understanding -
the first generation we behold.
 

A Well

The fountain of the water of health is open
The frogs in the valley of civilisation/education invite us
To come closer to their concert
That leads the giant
By the long steps that he takes
With a copper dagger in the navel
A bow and arrows in hand                                                                 
He then kneels down at the well
Ready to pierce him/anyone who approaches
For a hero does not die in the middle of robbers
But like a lion on prey.
 
We cannot scoop water anymore
And the ink in our pens has run dry of ink.
He who will push [somebody] forward by pen
Will be called the hero of lies!
He who took his stand in the centre in fear
Even though support was not given to him
He opened the opposite door
Between wisdom and new understanding
The first offspring that we see.
 

Like many of Euphrase Kezilahabi’s poems, ‘The Well’ is concerned with the difficulties faced by writers in the face of a declining interest in literature – although the poem seems to end on an optimistic note. The giant mentioned in the first stanza is a popular figure in Swahili myth called Fumo Liyongo who, as the poem recounts, dies a lonely, heroic death with his dignity intact.

Sarah Maguire, Workshop Facilitator

Original Poem by

Euphrase Kezilahabi

Translated by

Katriina Ranne with The Poetry Translation Workshop Language

Swahili

Country

Tanzania