Poetry

My father went missing on 30th December 1997.I miss him dearly especially not knowing what happened to him. I wrote my first ever poem for him.

A Letter to Dad

You are my Father floating in my dream
Dressed in a kanzu, as men in the Buganda Kingdom
Warriors, farmers, fathers, husbands, sons
Why o why did you leave us without trace
No direction no footprints no words of wisdom
The memories hanging in a picture in the house
Dressed in a kanzu on my graduation day
It is left to me to tell the tales of your life
As the grandchildren you will never know
Fill the house with laughter and joy
You are my Father floating in my dream.

Six foot tall you towered up to the sky
Father, the gap you left will never be filled
The space you chose as your final resting place
Looks empty words cannot explain the gap in my heart
Looking at me from a family portrait on the wall
Dressed in a kanzu with me at your side
It is left to me to tell the tales of your life
To the grandchildren who will never know your strength
This is my Father the pillar of my strength.

East to West, North to South I searched
I search here and everywhere
I will never know why you left without trace
Now you appear in a dream whilst I sleep
With the words of wisdom you never said
With my hand I attempt to feel your touch
The love I feel for the grandchildren you will never meet
Is the same for you Father, though I can’t feel your touch.

Juliet Lubega 2011 (unplished)