by Shailja Patel
Baidoa, Baadheere, Baydhabo, Dinsur, Afgooye, Bwale, Barawe, Jilib, Kismayo and Afmadhow will be under attack continuously. The Kenya Defence Forces urges anyone with relatives and friends in the 10 towns to advise them accordingly. We are doing well on the battle front, continue praying for us.
– Major E. Chirchir, Kenya Military Spokesman, Operation Linda Nchi
I touch walls and sweaters and keyboards
as if they bruise easily
I do not want to be touched
in these charred and sizzling days
when all flesh
is frangible
killing killing killing killing
repeated enough it’s almost
beautiful
If there? They are
enemy. The innocent
were warned. No old,
no infirm, no children, no sick,
disabled, starving, pregnant
in our war.
al-shabaab al-shabaab al-shabaab al-shabaab
repeated enough it’s almost
prayerful
Where do you run
when borders are closed
when sky rains death
when all paths lead
to conflagration?
crush them crush them crush them crush them
repeated enough it’s almost
edible
Under continuous attack
scorch the earth
leave nothing
that can be claimed
identified
returned to.
Leave no one alive
to tell.
attack attack attack attack
repeated enough it’s almost
sacramental
I give you
ten towns. Take
Athi River, Machakos, Ongata Rongai
Ngong, Kikuyu, Kiambu
Take Naivasha, Thika, Limuru
Kijabe they will be under attack
continuously advise
your relatives and friends there
accordingly
linda nchi linda nchi linda nchi linda nchi
repeated enough it’s almost
potable
The ones still there
are enemy. All who die
are enemy. We are doing well
we guarantee success
pray for us.
pray for us pray for us pray for us pray for us
repeated enough it’s almost
absolution.
First published in the East African, November 2011
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