My Canvas
Stretched over decades and oceans is the canvas of my life, too long away from the polite, humble Africa; its music, its street life, its vast empty fields, its thick forests, and mkokotenis [rickshaws] delaying cars on the road. My heart's longing thrives on the call and response of songs; carrying me decades, across oceans, and then it all seems like just yesterday. Where are those Songs Where are those Songs my mother and yours always sang fitting rhythms to the whole vast span of life? Sing daughter sing around you are uncountable tunes some sung others unsung sing them to your rhythms observe listen absorb soak yourself bathe in the stream of life and then sing sing simple songs for the people for all to hear and learn and sing with you. From Where are those Songs ( Daughter of My People Sing! 1972) by Mĩcere Gĩthae Mũgo , Ph .D. A former student of my mother, to this day Dr. Mugo calls her Mwalimu [teacher]. Mĩcere Gĩthae Mũgo , Meredith Professor for Teaching Excelle...