teach me how to say, “giraffe,” Da

“Twiga,” he said

You could still remember every word of Swahili after all these years

 

teach me how to say, “friend,” Da

“Rafiki,” he said

It’s hard to look down at your lifeless body 

 

teach me how to say, “I love you,” Da

“Nakupenda,” he said

I’m sorry the mortician didn’t get your mouth right, Da

 

Nakupenda.