Happy Birthday

For Amanda

Only approximately last weekend I bumped into someone

With brown skins shining just like yours

Coffee colour with milk chocolate bar 

Hau! Intombi ya kwa-Kenqu, I thought

It was her laugh, and dry dead walrus humour,

That gave it all away

Thank God! I almost said hi, but

It was not you

Only approximately last weekend I bumped into someone

At Campus Square in a dress and ‘creche’ boots just like yours

No familiar giggle after a witty comment, snide English-like remark

Those nonchalant deep side lovely hissing pavement phrases missing

Those you might miss if you don’t look hard enough, Miss.

Again, no guffaws definitely not you.

Only approximately last weekend I bumped into someone

At Kitchener’s directly after a throat wetter from that your Orbit now

She drank dark Savannah, talking to her ancestors on the Milky Way all night

By the way, it was her incessant conversations to self

Drink… the wrong colour sani! 

Therefore, jonga!

 It couldn't have been you, Sana.

Kante!

It makes sense now, Amanda

Happiest day of your earthliness

Jah Bless, on this your EarthDay.

Happy Birthday.