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).

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∆