Grandfather Tree

I remember your branches.

I’m walking towards you.
I see your warm branches
before I arrive.

Every passerby
talks of this, that

becoming a human doing
in a world of human doings.

Racing to keep up with
each other

as if air were water
peddling
peddling

running faster
and faster

by foot, on bicycle
by whatever means

Gripes become the harmony
The human doings song

I’m walking towards you.
I remember your branches.

Before the lightning
and the saw
struck.

How I wish to be
upon your limbs

one last time.

A poem by Pemba Umoja