You seem to be fishing
for the money-loaded,
for the light-skinned,
for the sexy;
you seem to be searching
for the one who’ll
make you laugh,
wipe your tears,
hug you tight,
watch you succeed, and
keep you strong.
Lakini sisi ndio tuko;
a bit rough around the edges,
but working to smooth them off.
It looks like you’re searching for
your best friend,
your great support,
your biggest comfort,
your strongest motivation,
your truest smile,
your deepest love,
your favorite,
your forever, and
one who will have you entirely.
Lakini sisi ndio tuko;
with several faults here and there,
but still work in progress.
Najua wamtafuta yule ambaye
utamdhibiti, hatochepuka,
hatokudhalilisha, hatokutukana,
atakua akupa pesa wewe,
na kukusikiliza wewe kwa kila kitu.
Najua wataka umshike vizuri,
na uwe kila kitu kwake.
Lakini sisi ndio tuko;
tumepungukiwa kiasi,
lakini twajitahidi kukuridhisha.
You seem to be searching for
courage, an angel,
the source of your joy,
the center of your world,
your inspiration,
your always and forever,
your happily ever after,
your soulmate,
your best friend,
your dream come true,
your one and only,
your shoulder to lean on,
your heart to melt into, and
your everything.
Lakini sisi ndio tuko,
slightly unpolished,
but pretty close to a fine product.
You seem to be looking for
the one your eyes search for
and see in a sea of people;
your love in the morning
your love in the afternoon
your love in the evening
and your love underneath the moon;
the epitome of everything
that a spouse should be;
the armor that shields you from tears, and
the whole of your heart.
Lakini sisi ndio tuko,
unkempt to some degree,
but striving to be decent and authentic.
You seem to be searching for
one with whom
your soul feels complete,
the other half of you,
your home no matter where that is,
the doctor to your wounds,
the friend to your sorrows,
the mentor to your dilemmas,
the teacher to your actions, and
the companion to your joys.
Lakini sisi ndio tuko,
crude somehow,
but working on refinement.
It seems like you’re looking for one
who would cherish you,
who will gently love you with all the heart,
soul, mind, and strength;
who will be quick to hear,
slow to speak,
slow to anger,
and have a teachable spirit;
one with who you could be your true,
innermost and authentic self around;
one whose sound of voice
gives you butterflies;
whose smile makes
your heart skip a beat; and
one who would be the best parent
your children could have.
Lakini sisi ndio tuko,
with a few imperfections,
but working to measure up.
You seem to be searching for
a strong man of God,
dedicated to you and your family.
One you cannot live without.
I however hate to disturb your peace,
I hate to burst your bubble,
because sisi ndio tuko.
But do not be discouraged,
do not lose hope;
because hapa kati yetu,
sisi ambao tuko,
you can find one,
who will be yours,
until the stars fall from the sky,
until the rivers all run dry,
until we die.
And if that’s acceptable to you,
sisi ambao tuko,
tutatosha maji,
tutatosha unga,
tutatosha ugali
na tutatosha mboga.
We can weather
the storms of life together;
because no relationship
is ever perfect,
but we will help you to see
the unique beauty in imperfection;
regardless of the teasing and fighting.
We can wake up every morning,
knowing you are ours,
and we are yours.
and we are willing to stay
through anything,
together.
