THE MONSTER OF MY DREAM

See, this is what happened-
When we met,
At the site, me doing my daily drudgery,
You making meals at the eatery,
Yes, I thought you were the girl of my dreams,
Infact I did tell you that,
And the blush of your cheeks is quite vivid still.
Now, its not that I lied,
I just spoke the truth at that instant
But today, girl, I have a confession:
Last night, I had a dream-
I rarely dream you see, so yes,
When I told you you were the girl of my dreams,
I wasn't being honest.
I didn't lie,
But it wasn't true much.
It was strange that dreams can be so contradictory.
Let me let you go, my beautiful,
Let me spare you my troubles, my pretty.
I thought you were the girl of my dreams,
But in my dream, was me and a monster,
And you, my dear are not a monster.

GOR,UNDER FRANK NUTTALL,SET TO RAISE STANDARDS OF KENYAN FOOTBALL

    Gor, leading the league by a clean 12 points, are in pole position to underline their status as Kenya's most eminent football club but its the fairy tale manner in which it is shaping up that provokes  thought.

Slightly over a decade ago, it would have been ignorant, unwise if not even criminal to think that Gor Mahia, one of two Kenyan footballing gems(the other being arch-rivals AFC Leopards) would even come close to recalling past glories. It was a period when Kenyan football had ebbed to its lowest tide, embroiled in the murks of its chronic wrangles. With Gor Mahia and AFC staring down an abyss, so did the adornments that garnished Kenyan football. The sport was barging through the rains and the storm threatened to discredit the achievements of the two collosal teams. For Gor Mahia, their Africa conquering memories of 1987 then seemed like bad reminders of how deep they had sank and how high they couldn't reach and how far off the pedestal they were. Of course the fall was hard and unforgiving, scathing and scarring.

Yet ten years on, with Kenyan football offering a front of stability, Gor are on the verge of another milestone- clinching a third successive KPL crown and become Kenya's most embelished club with 15 titles. And not just that, but they appear on course at the back of an unbeaten run. This one seems pre-ordained, destined and bound.

Going into a mid season break, Gor Mahia, after 15 games, are top on 39 points with 30 goals scored, only six conceded and no loss to their name. On its own, the statistic bears no significance. But compare this: their winning campaign last season after 30 outings, yieded 43 goals , 60 points and five losses. By this season's standards, that's pedestrian isn't it?

In their current form, K'ogalo could finish with well over 70 points and over 60 goals scored, laying to waste and laughing in the face of recent records. No loss would then add glamour to the show. In their current form, they could wrap up the league early enough, something that's an anomaly in a league with the propensity of going down to the wire. Yet another milestone.

They have been outstanding, brilliant and epic. They have been ridiculously and outrageously good, yet, no poetic wax can do justice to Gor's imperious impetus. Their 5-0 whitewash of Nakuru All Stars was a full display of their devastating fluidity in attack (Meddie Kagere's goal, anyone?) while the 0-0 draw with Sofapaka and the 1-0 flooring of Tusker showed their flexibility to switch from flair to grit to get things done.

Coach Nuttall has made the difference. He could be what Kenyan football and not just Gor Mahia, need. His tactical nous is on song mostly and he has brought much cohesion to this Gor outfit that others simply can't match. A holder of UEFA 'A' licence and UEFA Pro licence in coaching (eligible to coach teams in Europe), Frank Nuttall is probably a man overqualified for this job. But his high standard could lead to better professionalism among our coaches as coaching, not lack of talent, is what makes continental glory elusive.

With talent and a good coach, Gor look set to lead a departure from precedent mediocrity. Unless the chasing pack raise their game, playing catch up with Gor will be like trying to play catch-me-if-you-can with a cheetah. While their mettle has yet to face the toughest and most labourious of tasks - the continental hurdle - the grounds on which their current form is founded is firm enough to sway even the stalwart skeptics.

A well trained coach in Nuttall, massive talents in Michael Olunga, Meddie Kagere, Ali Abondo, Collins Okoth among others, this is a team set to define an era, recall and better Gor's storied past and usher in a new, better dawn for Kenyan football. Marry in money to all the quality they have and scaling the apparent insurmountable heights of continental championship could be done. Already a class above the rest in KPL, its up to the others to catch up and do better. See, the bar is raised. But then such far fetched reality will only be achieved if the club can hold onto the coach and their best players. That's where the fluke of Kenyan football is - Instability.

  

photo: courtesy

A DAY'S BREAK

I saw,
The dew of the morning kiss the cold feet,
I felt,
The cold of the night wear down to the sun's streams,
And in the dip of the horizon in the far east,
The half dome of the unfurling rods of sunrise became.

I saw,
Dancing in the day, the yellow of the sunflower,
and the spread of the red poppy.
I heard,
The croaking of the warted grey frog of the ponds,
And the whirling of the elfin dragon fly over still waters.

I saw,
The spines of the cypress and the pines,
Bend to their full stretch to the winds,
All heralding a promising day,
I heard their ominous creaks and rustle and their sinister whisper,
I felt the winds touch upon my dry cheeks.
I saw,
The fall of the fat orange leaves of the 
Msunzu,
And the drop of the cold crystalline dew from the jagged blade of a grass,
Better days have been than this.

I saw,
The scattering of the heavy grey clouds,
Revelation of a vacant blue skies,
Birds exuberance,vibrance after a downpour,
In the bars of a sun peeking from the dents in the swollen clouds,
A new dawn beckons,
I better respond before its noon.

Glints of iron sheets anew,
The old layered in red rustiness,
All punctuate and interrupt,
The sprawl and flow and tumble,
And fall of the verdant and luxuriant,
The green of the orchid and idyllic countryside,
Smooth sail of the butterfly,
To the revealed petals of the morning glory,
Unveiling the jubilance of a fresh start.

I feel,
Serenity of the shades ambiance,
Beauty of the rolling green of tree and grass,
Sun scorching and livid,
Fly buzzing and bothering,
Soothing hum of the quiet river's flow,
As day continues to grow.

I see,
In the distant panorama, beautiful shaded blue hills,
The crashing of the furious waterfall on the boulders  in the faraway west,
As the rays of the sinking sun burst the sky to rosy red.

I feel,
The calming warmth of the weak sun,
Of the approaching dreams of the dark's domain,
As night makes light of and grows over day.
I awoke, I saw,
I felt, I heard,
I did, I didn't
All in a day's break.

From 
The
Writing
Of
The
Collosus:
A
Poem
Anthology

Kiraka  D Mugatsia
2015

UNITED STILL LONG WAY OFF PODIUM GLORY

Following Lous Van Gaal's moving and thoroughly entertaining end-of-season speech, many United faithfull supporters were left in upbeat spirits about future prospects under the Dutchman, but has the team's performance all season long been enough to rattle nerves?

After 13 games, United were wallowing in unfamiliar territories with a meagre return of 10 points, despite a formidable outfit that included record signing and the previous season's Champions League winner Angel Di Maria, the prolific Robin Van Persie and the industrious Wayne Rooney.

Despite this shaky start, United picked up pace to go on a seven consecutive winning streak that restored some much needed belief in a place bereft of it. But there was a tiny problem, just a pinch-in-the- ass problem- United's performance in these games was wanting, so much so that it even left some fans displeased and visibly agitated. Sure they were winning but there felt something missing- that conviction of a United team seemed lost. The performance against Arsenal, if not for Arsenal's profligacy and recurring naivety, was a certain loss, same with the 2-0 win against Southampton, which defined luck to whole new heights for the Red Devils.

After the new year there was some improvements in performance and this was evident in the 2-1 win over liverpool. The 4-2 drubbing of city rivals Man City then sent out a statement-United were back! But were they, really?

Three succesive losses that were offset by the 1-0 loss at Chelsea showed that no, United are far from the finished article. The barren draw against Hull on the final day of the season shows that even next season could be too soon for United fans to fantasize about the Premiership let alone the Champions League.

For lengths this season, much to the boredom of even their fans,United's game has been pretty predictable- languid passing as they guide the ball to blind alleys, back pass galore, then launching a long ball to Fellaini's hair. Instead of a Barcelona-esque clockwork mysticism, United are playing a dull, pointless passing game with constant lateral harmless movements.

Their loss to Chelsea should be a reminder that they don't need so many passes to win. Leave Barcelona characteristics to Barcelona, unless of course United relocate to the Catalan city.

The likes of Fellaini and Ashley Young have shown just what they are capable of, but for United to offer some imposing presence, Van Gaal should hit the market big time for some world class talent.

Meanwhile the likes of Januzaj need maturity injected into them before they can even sniff the bench at Old Trafford. Falcao, while only a fool would doubt his talents, just need new beginnings that don't involve Manchester United. Van Persie has been declining faster than a rolling stone on free fall and he shoul also seek an alternative team.

However there is reason to believe in the future just as there is a need to be patient.

courtesy of 
BBC Sport

CHELSEA WORTH OF THE TITLE

Call them boring. Call them unlovable. Call them gruff and ugly. Call them the bus. Hurl at them a tirade of insults from the darkest murks of human thoughts. Then after that, call them EPL champions.
There was a presage to all this, and its amazing how we either totally missed it or blatantly ignored the signs. The writing was on the wall when Chelsea went fourteen games unbeaten, an exploit that helped them solidate their place at the top despite some lethargic showing in 2015. Marquee signings of Cesc Fabregas and Diego Costa quickly settled in, running rings around helpless and countless defenders and its obvious that they, alongside the mercurial Eden Hazard were and will be in coming times the vertabral point of Chelsea's success. All this happened while teams like Manchster United and Liverpool still tried to come to cognizant with this thing called winning. 

Following the implosion of Man City in 2015, the only team that had shown glimpses of matching Chelsea, it was rather obvious that it would take a miracle then one more to upset The Blues.

To be truthful, save for their early season run off-the-block, Chelsea have barely been pleasing. They haven't been eye-catching. Some have labelled them boring. Yet in the same breath, they have simply been outstanding. Breathtaking on some instances. Devastating on others. Consistent through out. That they have only lost twice by the time of writing goes a long way to prove that they are a formidable outfit and it could take a few more years before Chelsea face some serious competition.

Arsenal lacked the fortitude and only showed some seriousness when there was nothing to be serious about. United still appear hanged over. Manchester City still seem not to know what to do with all that money. Liverpool meanwhile, are still trying to shrug off the mid-table stench that's fast becoming their identity. That leaves Chelsea as the only complete team.

They may not be everyone's cup of tea but Chelsea need not even worry what sort of tea the others enjoy so as to suit their taste. They have shown qualities of true champions-grit, consistency, defiance and using your opponents weaknessess as much as your own strengths. Mourinho has always been a tactical coach and he has proven that Chelsea are a team that embrace his philosophy more than any other.

It is his genius use of Chelsea's good defensive opacity that has led to them being labelled boring, but most importantly, being crowned EPL Champions for a fifth time.

Boring? Boring would be Chelsea winning the title for the next few years as the other teams look on and sulk in silent rage.


photo: courtesy

LONG TERM SOLUTION KEY TO CURBING INSECURITY

Tit- for- tat should not be looked at as the solution to our insecurity malaise.

In the wake of Garissa attack, a lot was said.Following the Mandera quarry attack, yet more was said.Before that, a lot was said following the Lamu attacks and long before that, the Westgate attack drew scathing and tough utterances.Beneath these harsh words were what seemed like assuring statements but barely assuring.

The Westgate attack was heartbreaking for lack of a better word.Never had our vulnerability and mortality been put to perspective in such brutality and cold savagery.We were exposed as a soft spot.It would never happen again, we promised ourselves and the government assured us of the death of the attackers.The Mandera bus attack brought the statement from our Deputy President that 100 Al-Shabaab militants have been killed in retaliatory attacks.After Lamu, several suspects were rounded up only to be released later.Following the Garissa attacks, we were informed of KDF bombing two Al-Shabaab bases.This should be reassuring, but is it? Should it be that we are only reactive, acting tough only after being hit? Are we supposed to feel safe when 100 al-shabaab militants are killed soon after four or five of their own lay to waste our own?

We should react first more so after issuance of travel advisories.As it has come to be, travel advisories have preceeded the recent major attacks, acting as a presage yet we choose to ignore them.Instead of dismissing these advisories  we should consider them a warning.One was issued before Garissa attacks, another during the series of Lamu attacks.That's no fluke.Sure some foreign embassies tend to overreact but we ought to take this as a warning sign, the dark clouds before our storm.Our knee-jerk reaction to terror only works against us.

Our reaction to such emergencies too is at fault.It is not reassuring that in the Garissa University attacks, some of the victims were killed as late as noon in an attack that started at dawn.And our security officers were even yet to make any foray as late as 2 pm.Fatalities will always happen in any attack but our reaction soon after receiving the news is paramount to preventing a bloodbath of the scale of Garissa, Westgate or Lamu attacks.To reach triple digits in a single attack of sporadic shooting is a travesty of our security.

However it is reassuring that we are striving to curb this menace from its roots- radicalisation and it is important that teachers of Muslim religious classes and Muslim leaders in general do more than just tell us that Muslim religion does not condone violence following an attack.It is important that whatever is taught in madrassas is monitored as the Garissa attack mastermind Mohamed Mohamud was a teacher of these classes. Many more are hidden amongst us and we should name them no matter the affiliation.

THE COLLOSUS HAS FALLEN

The sun is scarred,
The moon injured,
And in the dead of night,
The collosus has fallen.

Grief knows no bounds,
Sorrow and melancholy abound,
As dreams morph to nightmares,
The collosus has fallen.

Woods a shade of death,
Black promises thus evil uncouth,
And when life shifts to grey from mirth,
The collosus has fallen.

Broken glass,dull brass,
Soiled trophies,ugly hats,
White skin,pale shadows,
The collosus has fallen.

Eyes that see in darkness,
Darkness guides the eyes,
Light submits to the blank stare,
The collosus has fallen.

Illness and health,
Penury and wealth,
The shade and the light,
Like days of night,
Of shadows and their masters,
The dry lands and deep blue seas,
The earth and the sky,
Frowned upon by the moon and the sun,
The collosus has fallen.

Fat wallets,empty pockets,
Misery and its contrasting equivalent,
Of the mysteries of life,
And the joy of belief,
A lack of faith,
And fulfillment of achievement,
The making of a legacy,
The collosus has fallen.

By the words of the mute,
And the sight of the blind,
By the ears of the deaf,
And the life of the dead,
By the embrace of the knife,
The collosus has fallen.

Tongues of fire,
And the heat of hatred,
The pull of love,
And the fulfillment of loving,
By the words of the beloved,
The collosus has fallen.

Through the tears and the laughter,
Smiles and frowns,
Believe,
Be and live,
The collosus has spoken.

From THE WRITINGS OF THE COLLOSUS: A POEM ANTHOLOGY