An Excerpt From “Song of Lawino” Poem By Famous Ugandan Poet; Okot P’Bitek

Husband, now you despise me
Now you treat me with spite
And say I have inherited the stupidity of my aunt;
Son of the Chief,
Now you compare me
With the rubbish in the rubbish pit,
You say you no longer want me
Because I am like the things left behind
In the deserted homestead.
You insult me
You laugh at me
You say I do not know the letter A
Because I have not been to school
And I have not been baptized
You compare me with a little dog,
A puppy.
My friend, age-mate of my brother,
Take care,
Take care of your tongue,
Be careful what your lips say.