Building the Nation

"Today I did my share in building the nation. I drove a Permanent Secretary to an important, urgent function In fact, to a luncheon at the Vic. The menu reflected its importance Cold bell beer with small talk, Then fried chicken with niceties Wine to fill the hollowness of the laughs Ice-cream to cover the stereotype jokes Coffee to keep the PS awake on the return journey. I drove the Permanent Secretary back. He yawned many times in the back of the car Then to keep awake, he suddenly asked, Did you have any lunch friend? I replied looking straight ahead And secretly smiling at his belated concern That I had not, but was slimming! Upon which he said with a seriousness That amused more than annoyed me, Mwananchi, I too had none! I attended to matters of state. Highly delicate diplomatic duties you know, And friend, it goes against my grain, Causes me stomach ulcers and wind. Ah, he continued, yawning again, The pains we suffer in building the nation! So the PS had ulcers too! My ulcers I think are equally painful Only they are caused by hunger, Not sumptuous lunches! So two nation builders Arrived home this evening With terrible stomach pains The result of building the nation-in different ways!" -- Henry Barlow --