Author: The Divine Bandit

I am who I am because of what I say with the words that I have, the time I’ve got and the talent I possess. I will myself to do this daily because not everyone can do it. I am blessed to have this ability. I make the shallow look, and sound deep and the deep sound deeper yet with a simple meaning. I want every poem I ever write to be my epitaph. Sometimes I am in my element, sometimes I'm not. There are pieces I don’t believe I wrote because I am not that person anymore. But the truth is; this is a reflection of who I am, who I’ve been and who I will be. I started doing this at age 14 so I guess my works will best be described as “14 going on to immortality”.
Deep and overstood

Wavy wanton weather

The Divine Bandit

I’m waking up last Monday but one
It’s freezing so I make my bath warm
I’m walking outside with a hint of tonsillitis
A slight cough has just began
I’m praying that it don’t do me harm
And hoping to get where I can forget this

I woke up next Monday with a bleeding heart
Just like this weather people have become heartless
And the haziness in my head like a full-blown fog
This cold am experiencing tears me apart
It burns my face as I stand there “almost” fearless
Tears riding up my cheeks and tongue out like a dog

I will wake up today in the morning
I’m still coughing but this time dust is the culprit
Whoever thought that the sun would blaze
I have found myself in my zone just…well.. zoning
I know my soul and body are not yet ready to split
This unpredictable personality leaves me in a daze

If you can’t get what I just wrote
Then please give up because you never will
Only a chosen few and I can decipher the above
My writing is not a means to gloat
It’s just the void in me I’m trying to fill
This is all I can show you because it’s all I really have

Deep and overstood

21 Answers

The Divine Bandit

I’ve kept a keen ear and heard your questions.

I bet it’s now time to give each a response.

Take your hand and lead you through the motions.

Lift it to my heart and let you feel my pulse.

I will now start to give you the answers.

Hoping you will respect the truth I give you.

Avoid the lies that may prove cancerous.

Take the risk and show you the perfect view.

I really do like it when you dress in red.

Though you compete with the color every time you blush.

Not only is your bed good but you are good in bed.

Don’t start giggling yet, I need you to hush.

It’s not a lie you are in the smart ladies list.

And your fighting spirit can be seen, when you clench your fist.

You might have fears but you are still very strong.

And your love for cats does not disgust me, a lover of dogs.

Your voice is magical, whether purring in my ear or just singing.

And enough can’t be said of your dancing, especially the way your hips sway.

In any argument we have, I like your kind of thinking.

And your smile at the end of it always makes my day.

It’s not a lie that my love for you comes naturally.

And the secrets from your lips will never be retold.

You may not have a sweet-tooth but you get sweeter daily.

And your love for me, I treasure than the most precious gold.

Words maybe cheap but I will always protect you.

The world maybe crazy but I’m crazier for you.

You have such style; you bring the word compliment to shame.

And I would never forget you even in the world of fame.

I appreciate you each day for all your support.

And when it comes to dissing, you are the best sport.

Finally when it comes to us, we are the best.

And each day makes me believe we can withstand any test.

Deep and overstood, Kenya

Prospective Prose

The Divine Bandit

To my last born daughter,

These are the reasons I’m writing you this letter.

Words of wisdom to your brother and sister,

Tell them why they have to keep together.

This is the life that they wanted to take.

But for you this life I had to make.

I’m really sorry my death I had to fake.

But all I did was for your own sake.

I was there when the president was half black.

The same year we all fell like sitting ducks.

It was then that I decided to go and pack.

But don’t worry one day I will be back.

Your mama and I never used to be this fat.

Whatever happens she still holds my heart.

I miss her little lower back tat.

Just as she misses her furry old cat,

Tears flowed when they burnt down that church.

The flames juxtaposing their deed so cold,

Justice and reconciliation didn’t seem to mean much.

But the fumes from my countrymen were the realest seed I ever smoked.

The smoke in no way made my memory blurry.

Until the day I die, I put on for my country.

In my days I walked my talk.

Promise I made to your mama I gave her a rock.

Serenaded her with my rhyme stock,

Red all over I saw her heart unlock.

This, my daughter: is a legacy.

Be responsible and heed my warning.

See the dog in these boys escape the fallacy.

But still be so hot, add to the global warming.

Go to church anytime that you can.

Listen to the preacher but follow the Bible.

Glow from within shine like the sun.

Follow His word don’t listen to fables.

Before I sign off and put my pen down.

Let me say all and avoid a post script.

I want to see you put on a graduand’s gown.

Be my genius girl and don’t follow the drift.

Let your hair down and be the talk of the town.

Make your mama a present and be her gift.

I could go on with this advice.

But I have to go now protect your world.

The rest will be said at a face to face.

Always truly, Your, loving dad.

Kenya

It’s been a long time…

The Divine Bandit

It’s been a long time since I played barefoot.
Kicked a ball around without a care in the world.
Now I know that I care more than a hoot.
In my elusive search for that pot of gold.
It’s been a long time since I drank government milk.
And shrieked the words of the loyalty pledge.
It’s been a long time since I hang out with my ilk.
And slowly hoisted the flag over a rolling wedge.
It’s been a long time since I shaded in an exam.
Or let someone anger me with a corporal hit.
It’s been a long time since I read “The Animal Farm”.
Or worn red, black, green and white in one outfit.
It’s been a long time since I dragged a metallic suitcase.
Or joined a club to avoid community work.
It’s been a long time since I’ve worn this face.
Or stopped to admire the wheels at the car park.
It’s been a long time since I really saved my credit.
Or had a phone book of less than a hundred.
It’s been a long time since I was fully fit.
And looked at the elevator with such dread.
It’s been a long time since I was in a play.
Or recited French verses that I didn’t understand.
It’s been a long time since I attended a party during the day.
Or got time to write a song for my old band.
It’s been a long time since I held the “javelin” while traveling.
Or got my pelvic bone re-adjusted through public means.
It’s been a long time since I started writing.
And now with this pen I bring you the scenes.

For in that long time I have been hungry.
No more milk but camps and the cold rain.
I have stood in waterlogged cells growing weary.
And all my senses numbed by the never-ending pain.
I have seen and smelled the charred remains of my father.
And watched my uncle shot in public.
The vampires have bayed for the blood of my brother.
While the Treasury hid all the garlic.
My grandfather acts like he lost his mind.
As he reminisces the scalp and braids pulled from his wife’s head.
The sands of time just keep sinking in the tide.
As the whips and batons almost leave my pastor dead.
In that long time I have gathered knowledge.
And slowly turned it into wisdom.
In that long time I have given up revenge.
And let constructive thoughts occupy my boredom.
That’s why in that long time, I have chosen between multiple parties.
And severally amended the constitution.
In that long time I’ve respected other people’s deities.
And not regarded their belief as confusion.
In that long time I’ve learnt of the word promulgate.
Yet I still wonder why they couldn’t just say legislate.
In that long time I have seen an unlikely union.
Just to bring an end to the bloodshed.
In that long time, the people have risen from the canyon.
And decided a new law to finally wed.
In that long time my eyes have been opened.
And the staircase to heaven I can finally see.
In that long time I won’t have to be told what happened.
Because in a long time it will all be me.

Deep and overstood, Life, Love

Lost…….for words

The Divine Bandit

She said I’m afraid that you are not.
Afraid of the pain this life brings.
I told her I was too, just in a manly way.
And the smile on my face didn’t tell it all.
I told her of all the battles I have fought.
The pain I got from all detached strings.
Told her things I thought I’d never say.
While brushing dirt off my knees, because I did fall.
I told her I liked her a lot.
Evading the words that gave my heart wings.
Held her hand, kissed her eyebrow, a single step everyday.
Pressing the receive button to her heart’s call

She says what we’ve got is magical.
I say what we have is heavenly.
Her smile always leaves laughter lines on my face.
And she gently kisses each one of them.
Could this be eternal?
She gives the answer, “definitely.”
Is that what I heard? Because I was in a daze.
My eyes never left hers since the time she came.
I take my shoes off so our lips are on the same level.
Her eyes closed, lips pouting, her heart beating, peacefully.
Holding her face I emerge from the haze.
Our lives entwined, our breath becomes the same.

I say what we will share will be unique.
Free and devoid of any simpleness.
Each step of our lives marking a love promise.
Each kiss marking a new step in our life.
We will be two of one in our love clique.
Enjoy the bond defining our singleness.
Truthfully march through each compromise.
Spread this feeling like butter with a knife.
Raise each other when we feel weak.
Hold each other in loving kindness.
Spend time together like we are Siamese.
Finally prove my love, make you my wife.

Uncategorized

CAUTION!!!!

The Divine Bandit

Dear all,

Please read the security alerts below and share this information with
relatives, friends and colleagues, and ask them to exercise vigilance at all times.
Please be informed that armed thieves have recently come up with a more “efficient” method of disarming people in the CBD. They extend their Arm for a handshake after asking for directions, making it seem as though they are thanking their victim but they have a needle, dipped in some sort of sedative, under their sleeve that makes one feel drowsy. When their victim falls asleep, this seems to the general public as one who has fainted, they go ahead and move their victim to a convenient location posing as Good Samaritans, only to rob them! Other than the loss of personal effects, there is also the risk of Contracting HIV/Aids or hepatitis since the needles in use are highly Unlikely to be sterile! PLEASE be aware of strangers who insist on shaking hands or coming too close to you in the city streets! On Saturday someone personally witnessed a man in recovery mode along a lane off Mfangano Street . He had been robbed of even his shoes and yet it was broad daylight – around 5 p.m. Please be VERY careful.Kindly notify the people around you and tell them what you know.dos
This message is everyone who goes to school/college alone (particularly girls) – if you find any child crying on the road showing his her address, and is asking you to take him/her to that address, then take that child to the Police station, no matter what you DON’T go to that address. This a a new way for gang members to rape females. Please forward this to everyone, including boys , so they can inform their sisters and friends. Do not feel shy to forward. Your one message can save someone

The Divine Bandit (R)

Deep and overstood, Life, Love

Imperfectly perfect…

The Divine Bandit

Let’s say I couldn’t write.

Let’s say I couldn’t rhyme.

Let’s say I couldn’t fight.

Let’s say I couldn’t mime.

Let’s say I couldn’t dance.

Let’s say I couldn’t stand.

Let’s say I couldn’t prance.

Let’s say I wasn’t a nerd.

Let’s say I didn’t smile.

Let’s say I didn’t laugh.

Let’s say I had no style.

Let’s say I wasn’t tough.

Let’s say I didn’t hit the gym.

Let’s say I didn’t enjoy it.

Let’s say I played no games.

Let’s say I wasn’t a hit.

Let’s say I had no pride.

Let’s say I wasn’t all I could be.

Let’s say I chose no side.

Let’s say I wasn’t me.

Let’s say I never lied.

Let’s say I never stole.

Let’s say I never failed.

Let’s say I had a definite goal.

Let’s say I was full of integrity.

Let’s say I was honest.

Let’s say I didn’t have the temerity.

To try to be my best.

Let’s say I always put others first

Let’s say I had no dirty thoughts.

Let’s say I never rolled in the dust.

Let’s say I never sunk in moats.

Let’s say I kept all the commandments.

Let’s say I never fornicated.

Let’s say I wasn’t bent.

Let’s say I wasn’t tainted.

Let’s say I chose to be you.

Let’s say I had no defect.

Let’s say I had a better view.

Let’s say I was PERFECT!!

Deep and overstood

Let’s live in the present

The Divine Bandit

Words are not enough, signs not so strong.

Yet I remain tough, till I sing my victory song.

This life proves to be rough, and this journey is long.

But with you by my side, we can forget about time.

We can live for the moment, and not worry about tomorrow.

For the moon changes the tide and I kind of always rhyme.

But all is lost in your scent, as a new leaf I do borrow.

Like a puppeteer, my actions you do mime.

And gracefully make me smile, turning me away from my sorrow.

Time will move as fast as we want it to.

And it will drag as long as we don’t take a leap of faith.

You will hold your breath as you watch what I do.

Live each moment, completely oblivious of death.

But I’m not a cynic, just too brave to realize.

In the tick of a second, all could be gone.

Yet nothing scares me, no matter its size.

But you send shivers up my spine, whenever you catch me alone.

But all this is folly, if we don’t act soon.

For our longing will burn us, like a vampire at high noon.

Just be mine and let’s live in the present.

Deep and overstood, Kenya

This is me….

The Divine Bandit

Sometimes I give you lyrics.

Sometimes I give you quotes.

Today I will defy your laws of physics.

Put my pen in, mix the tots before we make our toasts.

I know how good I can be.

The writing is on the wall but have you checked the ceiling.

You can never predict me.

Listen to my words before I have you reeling.

It’s time to let it go.

Because what I am, you will never know.

I got into this black world.

A black man ready to play my black part.

Never thought it would lead me to a black heart.

Lying here on my black mat.

Contemplating my black past.

Anger showing through my black face.

Never winning this black race.

Get swallowed in this black hole.

Watch it suck my black all.

Finally finish my black act.

And then its curtains to this black fact.

Love

With this piece……

The Divine Bandit

Oh please, let it be told.

She smiles every time, I catch her like a cold.

My love is like cancer.

It spreads all over but it isn’t malignant.

No need for the doctor because damn!!!, I’m the answer.

And I chose to insist on being persistently consistent.

Retaliation is always so close to failure.

But regrouping always catches the enemy unaware.

For her flowing locks, I thank the tailor.

Because she is so unique, much better than rare.

Mmmmmhhhhhh, I’ve got to do this.

Walk closer to my peace.

Let the pressure out with a hiss.

And take back what was on lease.

Enjoy parts of life, I don’t wanna miss.

Without a care like my baby niece.

Lose the facade but gain a lovely piece.

Blow to her this poem like my first kiss.