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By Davis Ndyomugabe of Qachecks
What does it truly mean to be free? In Ours Is Ours, but Mine Is Mine!, Davis Ndyomugabe of Qachecks reflects on self-reliance, personal freedom and the relationship between dependence and control. The poem argues that independence is not simply about possession, but also about having the ability to make choices, pursue one’s aspirations and live without depending entirely on another person’s mercy.
A power over a man’s subsistence
amounts to a power over his will.
Those who wait to be fed
Should be patient to wait.
It shall not surprise them
If they are starved!
When you depend
On the control and mercy of others,
You should be prepared
To be controlled and directed by them.
If you have the freedom
To associate with others and speak,
The liberty to move
Whenever and wherever,
The ability and chance
To feed yourself,
And the right to make
Your choices in life,
Then you have it!
You have it—
Even if it may be little
Or substantial!
Ours is ours,
But
Mine is mine!
Isn’t it also true
That the deepest love of others
Is to let them have
The widest possible freedom
To freely do
What they most love?
Is there freedom
Greater than this?
Everyone in life
Should aim to tirelessly work
And strive for their goals—
Excellence,
Dreams,
Goals,
Art and aspirations—
So that, in good stead,
They shall not be dependent
On others’ benevolence
Or mercy!
A louse’s coat may appear small,
As is the goat’s to the cow’s,
But in times of adversity,
Need and want,
It has proven to be sufficient—
Hasn’t it provided enough warmth
To two lovers
Huddled together?
What is not enough
Is greed and hatred in the heart.
But the abundance
Of goodwill and love
Is forever overflowing—
Even at the last drip’s
Benediction.
Kindly said, well in deed,
It is better indeed
Than outwardly uttered
But wrapped in odious sap!
— Davis Ndyomugabe of Qachecks
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