Farewell to Hanne and Steen

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To Hanne, Steen, my neighbors dear,     

I can’t believe you’re leaving here,          

Swaning off to sunny shores,                      

And Steen’s G ‘n Ts, and their effects     

will not be felt on Malcolm X,                    

No more on Malcolm X.                                

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We’ve sat in traffic jams and laughed,    

We’ve tried our hand at basket-craft –   

I will not mention whose was worst…

We’ve talked of family, love and life

Solved audits, dealt with office strife,

And lived on Malcolm X.

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Of dogs and cats, I dare not say,

For blue-eyed Tanne left one day

And never did return.

But I’ll still hear your old dogs bark,

Our gardens like adjacent parks,

Next-door on Malcolm X.

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Through lockdown days our closeness grew        

As members of the lockdown crew,                        

The walking, talking gang.                                           

We climbed the hills, admired the view

In little groups, or two and two,

Ending on Malcolm X.

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While Prunes has been a favorite haunt

The Belgian has the best croissants,

And lockdown weekends took us there.

With Steen to help solve daily trials –

He aided shopping, drove for miles

Afar from Malcolm X.

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At our age we’ve lived many lives,

Our tales could fill UMs archives

With countries, trips and jobs.

Our times have been so many things                      

But these months flew on parrot wings…                              

Remember Malcolm X.

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August, 2020

Malcolm X Avenue, Kololo, Kampala