A POEM: BECAUSE I AM MY FATHER'S SON

Photo by Author: In between the beautiful and colorful regalia of his fathers costume stands the author of this poem (4th from left).

The song related to this can be found in YouTube 

This is a poem for sons and daughters of Hela! 

                   By: Tarali T. HIBUYA

Am not that off-cut, half cut or quarter cut.

I am proud Hela Product!

Because I am my father’s son!

Am pure born and breed Hela!

In good, to celebrate with Hela!

In bad, to die with Hela!

Because I am my father’s son!

You can mock and shame me.

You can stereotype and generalise me.

You can defame and demoralise me.

Because I am my father’s son!

But you cannot remove Hela in me.

You cannot replace my blood with your water.

You cannot make me you.

I am I and You are You!

Because I am my father’s son!

Hela is my homeland,

Where there is milk and honey!

I have my own house and own garden!

I am from my clans, tribes and family.

I don’t hunt, gather or dwell in caves!

And I do defend with might.

Because I am my father’s son!

I am not your enemy but friend.

I have human heart, so I do love and grieve!

I have human hands, so I share and care!

I have a soul, so I am a human.

Because I am my father’s son!

If you care me, 

I care you as my friend.

But, if you dare me,

I dare you as my enemy.

Because I am my father’s son!

I don’t retreat and surrender,

I don’t give-up and give-in,

I don’t daunt and deter, 

Neither do I seek mercy nor reprimand

Because I am my father’s son!

I do defend with anger and might.

Not with sorcery or witchcraft.

Not with demon or devil.

But with my own bows and arrows.

Because I do believe there’s God!

I believe in my father’s God Datagaliwabe.

Because I am my father’s son!

I am Hela not by choice,

But by divine birth,

And that’s my divine right

Because I am my father’s son!

I am who I am.

I don’t dare!

I don’t care!

I am Hela!

Because I am my father’s son!

∆End∆