I know of a donkey
That makes us all shine
Dedicated, committed and determined
Doing all the donkey work
The kind we all want to avoid
The kind that is heavy and cumbersome
Getting its hands dirty and messy
Carrying heavy loads and burdens
Going the extra mile far and wide
Making it easier and better for us all.
I know of a donkey
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| Source: Google Image |
That makes us all shine
Serving, loving and caring
Being there in more ways than one
Doing all the donkey work
The kind that is badly remunerated
Leaving it drained and exhausted
Ever dusty, rugged and strained
Making our work easier and less tedious.
I know of a donkey
That Makes us all shine
But someone foolish once said
Asante ya punda ni mateke
And so everyone is ever kicking it
This donkey that makes us all shine
And in protest at times it kicks too
But who wouldn’t kick back in protest
Wondering when will this unending sacrifice end?
When will this straining back be allowed to unbend?
When will this domestic animal be permitted to wend?
And be something more than just a donkey.
I know of a donkey
That Makes us all shine
And in moments of need and despair
The donkey wonders and gets pained
“Why can’t I be like a horse,
Galloping around and looking pretty?
Why can’t I be like a zebra,
Lazing around and getting admired?
Why can’t I be like a cow,
Pampered, revered and well taken care of?
Why can’t I be allowed to be a decent animal?
Not the dirty and the burdened one
Why the beast of burdens and not the beauty of care?
Don’t I care for everyone?”
I know of a donkey
That Makes us all shine
And I want to say to you
Words that no one else has ever uttered
You were born a donkey, be contented
Who knows? In the next life,
You could be the master.
You were born a donkey, you are special,
No one else has a back like yours
To carry the tonnes you do
And remain intact and contained
None has the kind of your strength
The kind of your power
The kind of your steel care
And when no one sees the good in you
Do not cease to be who you are
And when they expect more than they deserve
Do not resist to give your very best
When they push you and demand beyond
Do not desire to be another animal
For we cannot all be zebras or horses
Somebody somewhere has to be a donkey
And this time round,
That donkey is you.
The donkey that makes us all shine.
