Thursday, 16 October 2014

Grandpa by Paul Chidyausiku

They say they are healthier than me
Though they can't walk to the end of a mile;
At their age I walked forty at night
To wage a battle at dawn .

They think they are healthier than me:
If their socks get wet they catch a cold;
When my sockless feet got wet, I never sneezed ­
But they still think they are happier than me.

On a soft mattress over a spring bed,
They still have to take a sleeping pill:
But I, with reeds cutting into my ribs,
My head resting on a piece of wood,
I sleep like a babe a snore.

They blow their noses and pocket the stuff­
That's hygienic so they tell me:
I blow my nose into the fire,
But they say that's barbaric.

If a dear one dies I weep without shame;
If someone jokes I laugh with all my heart.
They stifle a tear as if to cry was something wrong,
But they also stifle a laugh,
As of to laugh was something wrong too.
No wonder they need psychiatrists!

They think they have more power of will than me.
Our women were scarcely covered in days of yore,
But adultery was a thing unknown:
Today they go wild on seeing a slip on a hanger!

When I have more than one wife
They tell me that hell is my destination,
But when they have one and countless mistresses,
They pride themselves on cheating the world!

No let them learn to be honest with themselves first 
Before they persuade me change my ways, 
Says my grandfather, the proud old man. 



11 comments:

  1. This is one of the most powerful poems by an African reminding us of our past glories, and the finest simplicity of our forefathers

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  2. What is meant by At their age I walked forty at night
    To wage battle at dawn

    ReplyDelete
  3. What is a simile in the poem

    ReplyDelete
  4. What type of a poem is this

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  5. When was the poem written and published?

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  6. Describe the personal feelings when he wrote the poem

    ReplyDelete