Kenya, Will You Marry Me?

Kenya, Will You Marry Me?

Philo Ikonya

On my cell-phone the time is 3.00am. I am not holding a religion in my hand to check the hour, just a cell phone to orient me. This is a June morning and it is cold here. I turn in my bed and close my eyes. The map of Kenya appears first vaguely on my mind. It has no in-land features but this shape I see is definitely hers. Burning borders. Red inside. It is not the red of wine or even Christmas. We are not in celebration. Inside burning borders she is a deep reddish brown color; angry red. Coffee red. It is a red which disturbs my mind. [....] The taste of injustice is bitter. It kills the minds and souls of the living. How do we close chapters of the pain of a nation without closure? You are new. I know you. I love you, Kenya. From your earth, your soil, I was created because it is your earth my parents ate. Yet still, I have to ask you if I can step on your soil today. If you can please accept me to walk on you here and there, for this I will always plead. My feet you see, are my heart! They love you. I feel your pain directly from the soil into my heart when I walk on you. And you have been hurt so many times.

ISBN 9789956579792 | 252 pages | 216 x 140 mm | 2011 | Langaa RPCIG, Cameroon | Paperback

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About the Author

Philo Ikonya

Philo Ikonya is a Kenyan poet and novelist. She is known for speaking out against injustice and corruption. She has written extensively on governance, mass poverty and post-election violence in Kenya. She was arrested several times, and brutally in 2009, for speaking out. She is in exile in Norway since Dec. 2009. She is an avid blogger and journalist. She has been a teacher, lecturer and editor. She speaks Kiswahili, English, Spanish, Norwegian and understands Italian and French. Philo Ikonya is the author of This Bread of Peace, Out of Prison- Love Song, and Leading the Night. Visit Philo's blog here.

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