The guests arrived at the airport
The pick up car was missing
They called their hosts, their friends
The traffic was bad they were told
The driver and car were on the way
They were exhausted, they were thirsty
The International Arrivals was a nightmare
The facilities were next to none
The toilets pathetic ….
the latch broken, paper roll missing
The water marks unkempt all over
the wash basin with a big crack…
hand dryer in place but powerless
They were not surprised at all
This was the African Land
They had entered the third world
The hosts led them to their resting place
The promised Hotel was far fetched
Instead an Inn became their home
for the three and a half days of their stay.
They would have cribbed and felt bad
But they knew better than that
They were picked up not ever in time
and landed late for functions some
And the rest of it was a grumpy affair
as they mingled with the families and friends
All new to to them besides the bride
who was in her own sweet little cocoon
getting prepared, throwing a fuss and making noise
She wanted things all done her way
But the parents and the groom decided a sway
plans were altered in nick of time
and poor guests felt lost out at times
They danced, made merry, cheered up themselves
They had to have fun in some way
for they had traveled all the way
from lands far away, to give her away
to her groom whom she had enchanted.
The Ceremonies and rituals a common practice
At an Indian wedding In African land
Where once upon a time the boy and girl had met
The pomp and splendour – an unmatched affair
The bride’s father welcomed the guests with a flair
Her grandpa occupied the grand cane chair
As they poured in to the reception Hallway
at the newest hotel in the town square
Her mother comparable to the bride herself
In finesse and dignity she too dressed up
It was a moment to cherish by one and all
despite shortcomings the wedding was a success
Their dreamy eyed daughter was now a missus
Of the young lad who was now love smitten.
Sikiladi 