Shuffling dust down coral roads
my head bent wearily,
the ocean waved seductively ~
but it was lost on me.
This young man rode towards me,
uphill, on his blue bike.
He greeted me, curiously,
"Shikamoo, Mama Mike."
I looked into those smiling eyes
the face, indeed I know.
"It's me, I mind the horses,
remember? Stephano!"
Oh course, I do remember,
as I warmly shook his hand.
The boy that groomed our horses,
was now, this grown up man.
Then he told me all about
how well he'd done so far.
Now he is the horse~man,
well known in Zanzibar.
He leaned a little closer,
what he shared, brightened my day.
"You gave me life, I'm happy,"
his bright eyes did convey.
After working on our farm,
he continued In the trade.
Making progress, getting known,
his reputation made.
This early morning meeting,
filled me with pride and joy ~
To think, I guided someone's life ~
A man, from that young boy.
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| Writing Prompt |
Write a poem of any type and any length that tells a story. |
Author Notes
Thanks to Eileen0204 for the artwork. True story. This young man Stephano waited by our gate every morning looking for work in Tanzania. One day, I needed someone to make the meal for the polo ponies we boarded. He then continued every day and took great care of the horses for a three years, learning to be a horse groom and handler. When we left the farm, I lost touch with him, until that morning in Zanzibar.
I was totally burnt out in paradise, walking down this crushed coral hill to feed 40 volunteers lunch and dinner at the small hotel. The beautiful blue ocean in the morning light did not even entice me any more.I was exhausted, but could not afford two minutes to myself, seriously.
When I met him and he told me that I had "given him life" I felt this incredible sense of deep joy, which woke me up at that moment.
It was very early morning and instead of just walking by the ocean like usual, I did take time for me and went for a soothing swim.
Then I went to cook for the day.
Shikamoo is the Swahili greeting to an elder.
Stephano was a natural with horses and I can remember seeing him walk down the dusty road in Arusha, leading the horses to the polo match at the rich flower farms nearby.
He now works in Zanzibar with horses and was thrilled to arrange a beach ride for me, bless. I would give him my big tuna heads to make their popular fish soup. (ugh)
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