A Poem Inspired by Jonathan Gullible

The Adventures of Jonathan Gullible was published by Joram Mwesige for use at the Student Liberty Camp by Action for Liberty and Economic Development (ALED) in Uganda this summer. Inspired by the book, Muhawenimana Lillian wrote this beautiful poem to express the meaning of this story: 

THE BALLAD OF JONATHAN

By Muhawenimana Lillian

Walk with me

I must have been Gullible

Like my name suggests

To think that the world would be a fair place to tread on smoothly

Like eating a pie.

In the streets of wood and humble walls,

Where life in simple rhythm calls

A journey starts with treads light,

In search of wonder, midst the night.

This ship wreck has been a cascade of light for me

I walk, with questions deep

Through rows where dreams and shadows sleep,

A woman with a parchment near,

Bright without decorations with intentions clear.

A home, apart, on lush grassland

In the morning birth

Curiosity draws to place

“Sign in my petition”, her smile so wide

But I, with doubt, REPLIED

What is it for?

With warmth of her courage inspired,

In clothing

I saw her seemingly out of place

Yet determination marked her face.

Directions sought, to towns own heart,

Within the simple, wooden walls

Where history’s whisper gently calls

Lives intersect in unexpected flight

Connections forged in the early light.

From here, I know not where to start

Through chapters of my grand day

A journey written in sand

From signing names to seeking towns,

I wandered, lessons learnt from tales of old

In learning, truths are manifold

I see flicker of light

So so tight my soul uplifts through the night journey

With every step carefully considered,

New paths begin to align

In search of something most holy

A town awakes

In a silent place, as darkness breaks

I STIR, with hunger keen

With slices left

Amidst a world so vast, yet so frail

A comfort so small

columns of smoke paint the sky so blue

A new day’s hope, adventures so real

And through chapters of this life, plans well laid

From beggar`s song to a Grand parade

This journey tells of truths and lies

In painted scenes under the skies.

With each small step, I seek the best

In towns of wood, and hearts of gold z story lived, a world unfolds

Lies a poet’s tale.