My speech on the Launch of my Book. (2007)

My speech on the launch of my book: A Walk in Verse

 

Nas Jones, is he a Zimbabwean?

Is he a Kenyan?

Nas Jones, an American singer did sing but a beautiful song:

I KNOW I CAN, TO BE WHAT I WANNA BE

IF I WORK HARD AT IT,

 

Was he lying or cheating us?

Was he just making noise in the studio?

Was he trying to play big with rhyme?

I believe not!

 

Knowing that I can be,

What I want to be,

I thus took a Walk in Verse;

So my story begins.

 

It was a walk deep down the valley of Human destiny.

The question you make us me now let it be;

HOW COME YOU TOOK SUCH A WALK?

My shall then be;

Circumstances,

Experiences,

And the joy of life did invite me to.

I walk a walk that became A WALK IN VERSE!

So my work began!

 

As I was walking, heaps, mountains of sorrow

Did I see my brothers and sisters stepping upon.

Their hearts were as dark as a rain cloud.

Of course, I did see  joy,

Real joy emanating from their shining faces.

 

A Walk in Verse is  reflection.

It is a meditation,

An outcome of my silence

Throughout the past 26 years of my life.

 

It is a collection of poems,

Simple and straight to the point.

It is a collection of Poems,

Where I communicate what is deep within my heart of hearts.

It is a collection of Poems,

I yearn to interpret the songs of today’s love

The tune of today’s religions

And the irony of today’s politics.

 

A Walk in Verse is such a piece of art

Where I speak a language,

A language I believe can make our world a better place.

A language that will make us master

The laws and regulations of peace and harmony.

A language that promotes equality for all people

Of all nations, languages, colour and character!

 

A Walk in Verse is such a work of art,

Where God’s place in one’s life

Is given a centre stage.

I speak of Christ Jesus as a true friend

A true friend who gave me true friends;

COMPANIONS IN MY JOURNEY OF FAITH!

 

This book is an instruction,

I do give my brothers and sisters

To behave well.

Thus I declare;

I spare no rod on the rough youth.

As I did on my younger sister Ruth.

I became a light on a hill

She fought to reach with goodwill.

 

In a Walk in Verse, my Wish, is what I concluded with.

My one and only Wish;

My funeral must be

For poems of a lover deeply in love,

To be composed and recited for all to hear.

Stories of ancient to be retold over and over.

Such stories rich with imagination and adventure

To cheer every ear and fuel artistic heroism….

 

 Our honourable Guest,

My brothers and sisters,

My dear friends;

I am glad that you have come to join me on the launch of my book.

Before you all, allow me  to acknowledge different people

Who have made this Collection a success.

 

Firstly, my Mother!

Though, she is thousand of kilometres down south,

Her ways of looking at reality helped me to keep focus in this piece of Writing.

Secondly, I am thankful to Mr and Mrs Mutizwa, Mr and  Mrs Ndegwa and Mrs Omangi my first English lecture.

They stood with me on financial matters.

Today a Walk in Verse became a reality,

To them I am thankful!

 

I am equally grateful to  all my dear brothers;

The Marists.

Starting from the Superior General, Br Sean

My superior  here; Br Supridion

And Br Teodoro Grageda my animator.

This is the work of your encouragement!

 

Let me say a big thank you to Brothers Garikai Kasirai, Pascal Ali and Kudakwashe Kawazva for allowing me to include some of their best poems in my Collection.

 

Many are heartfelt thanks to my English Lecturers here at Marist.

Mr Michael Weche Oyoo, Mr Simon Otieno and Mrs Rose Opondo.

English has not been my cup of tea,

I grateful to you my lecturers,

You made me enjoy its taste

Thank you.

 

So many are thank yous I convey to you all gathered here

For the Launch of the two great works of art;

The Music CD; Happy are the People and The Collection of Poems; A Walk in Verse.

 

Your humbly servant and friend, I say; Keep on supporting us.

Let us together spread the Gospel with our Talents and Gifts.

 

Thank you.

Note; My book was launched on the 19th of March 2007 at Marist International College. On the same day, my friends Emily Motanda and Teodoro Ndege launched their musical CD.

 

by Musimwa