Sunufatarungo

Two frowns of father and son each one reflecting
The other’s quiet concentration.Hoping to catch traces
Or hints or handfulsof that which they hunt.
From the bushes a butterfly finally bursts.
At that scalding-bright sky-jeweltheir scowls quickly vanish,
Two happy grins exploding. What great pleasure to see
These two mirrors of mirth,one who made the other,
Sunufatarungo.

Your mother, she took youwhen you were tiny still
To be fostered afarby strange-mannered friends.
She longed that others might love youas others have loved her,
So a different tribe teaches you.But though you’ve been taken
Far from the hall of your father, his heart is never far.
So readily it reaches for youit cannot rest without you,
His boy.  He is by youfor his heart beats within you.
Sunufatarungo.

Learn from his life,he was like you when young,
He was wiggly and wild.It’s no wonder you are
As long and as lankyand loving as he.
He can tell you what treasuresand talents you’ll find.
Answers he’ll offerwhen others cannot.
He will guide you in growinginto a good man.
Look at the face of your father,you’ll see your future.
Look at the smile of your son,you’ll see your past self.
Look on your father’s stature,you’ll learn to stand.
Sunufatarungo.