Under the mango tree
Sat two
An old you watching the compound
As he cleaned his hands and ate
A white rabbit,
Bring me a rabbit paw
A bunny
Under the Mango tree I watched age
Approaching fast, Approaching quick
I’m now here and when I look back
Seated under the Mango tree that you grew for us, and we aged under it.
Different shades of the blue sky everyday,
We watched the sunset, beyond the river, Beyond the hill, holding everyday’s beauty with a lot of pride at our hearts.
“What have you had?” He asked looking towards axing Pat.
“Our meal is cooking,” I said, avoiding axing Pat’s eye, ” they said, a rabbit paws not good for a lady. I’m not a lady yet. Pa’ I’m still a child, they said.”
“You will one day be a lady.”
” I don’t like being a lady. Ladies don’t ask questions. They don’t sit in meetings. They don’t go for adventures. Ladies sit down and look pretty. I’m not pretty, they said.”
“Here’s a rabbit paw for you. You shall speak to everyone and you shall find answers to your heart. You shall sit with the elders and you shall dine as one of their own.”
I looked away, scared to meet grandpa’s eyes as I sat at his feet, when he was having his rabbit stew. He washed his hands, he blessed me. And he shared his favourite meal with me under the Mango Tree.