safety is that one taxi roaming the streets at night

talk to a Dabawenyo,
and you will find that he feels neither oppressed nor afraid.
he is confident his rights are neither ignored nor trampled on.
instead, you will find he is self-governing,
he is a willing and inspired agent of change,
because he has a trustworthy leader who does his part.
he understands his leader is not without flaws, but he is wise
to value his leader’s heart and accomplishments over other men’s fears and promises.
he sacrifices the momentary satisfaction (and risk) gifted by firecrackers.
he lets go the need to kill himself and those around him with cigarette smoke,
he pays his taxes assured it will be used to build a better world for his children.
and when he sleeps, he sleeps knowing his children are safe,
even as a passing taxi’s engine murmur outside like a familiar, soothing reassurance.



2016.apr.16