Oh Hail Our Kenyan Runners - Poem
It all genesised back in 1983
The world got to know that Kenya exists
Kipchoge Keino made us proud
He came home with gold, the first African, the first Kenyan
And Kenyans got to know that God did not forget Kenya after all
Oh Hail our Kenyan runners, you made us proud time and time again.
Who are they, and where do they come from?
They asked, they researched, they hypothesized!
Anatomy and physiology they applied
Oh, they run to school barefooted
It must be their valleys and mountains,
Early in the morning, at lunch and back again in the evening
They are always on the run
They concluded, they mythologize
But the prophets knows, God did not forget Kenya
Oh Hail our Kenyan runners, May the almighty keep your legs stronger for bigger strides
You got the wise at it once again
Not satisfied at what they found earlier
They camped at the highlands of Riftvalley
Let’s watch them from dawn to dusk
Oh it must be their weird diet, the flies, the wild fruits
It must be the spoilt milk, the wild animals’ meat
These talents should have been in a fast world
Amazing treasure indeed found in biggest continent
Oh Hail our Kenyan runners, may God keep your digestive systems strong
May the food you ingest be therapeutic to your bodies
Our Kenyan runners, our sons and daughters,
You carry the Black, Red, Green, White and the shield,
You made the whole world know that Kenya exists
You came from humble backgrounds
Travelled in devices foreign to you
Run in the countries with people whom their skin color is different from yours
Tried to understand their accent as they try to understand yours
Eat their food, and missed Ugali, Isageek, Isoik, Mursik, nyama choma, chapati
You sacrificed to make your country proud
Oh Hail our Kenyan runners, we will always ever be proud of you.
Blessed are the Fathers and mothers who birthed you
Blessed are the hands who nurtured you
Blessed are the days the heroes and heroines were born
Blessed are the communities that provide the unwavering support
Blessed are you our runners, who never shy away with your talents
Blessed are your families, who are willing to share you with the rest of the world
And blessed is the name of the Lord for choosing Kenya to be your home
Kenya now is proudly called ‘The Home of the Champions’
Oh Hail our Kenyan runners, may the sovereign lord,
Bless you as you go out and as you come in, today and days be yonder
Be wary our runners, watch out for the master devil
Ready to devour your spirits and your souls
Ready to tarnish your golden opportunities,
Watch out for the distracters
Watch out for those with evil intentions
The world knows you have a precious heavenly gift,
Talents that no one can snatch away from you
They are always conspiring how to get you down
Be at the right place, at the right time, with the right people, for the right reasons
Do your part our Kenyan runners, and the good Lord will do his part.
It is that time again and off you go to train
You sacrificed your children’s play time, your spouse’s time
The family reunions, birthdays, weddings, graduations
So committed to carry the Kenyan’s flag to victory
On that blessed day not even one soul will lay thy head
Will be staring at the motion pictures,
And the lucky few will watch you in person
Cheering our champions at the top of our lungs
And as always, your powerful legs will take you to the finish line
Once again, many more gold for the motherland
Oh Hail our Kenyan runners, we are proud of you our sons and daughters.
As you represent Kenya again and again
Let the God of all creation be your shield and defender
Every Kenyan soul intercedes for you
Come home with gold medals
Come home in one piece, a healthy one piece
Thee awaits in high anticipation
The air full of melodious chords of merriment
The high table is set with your delicacies
The parade awaits your triumphant entry
Oh Hail and Hail our Kenyan champions, welcome home our victors!
‘Hongera' our warriors
For making us known in the world
There exists the ‘Republic of Kenya’
God after all did not forget Kenya
Long life our Kenyan champions, Long life Kenya!
Oh Hail our Kenyan runners, you made us proud time and time again
©2012 F. Tonui. All rights reserved.
