Upya Fresh

 Life is beautiful. Beautiful is art. Art is word. Word is from whence every creation came to be. And so, as an artist, I dream. I do. I create beautiful things, or at least, I strive to do so. Words I have at a my disposal – tens, hundreds, thousands of me. Often times, though, these words needs a vessel to carry them to their audiences – a beat, a video, the printed page. And so, I have this book out. The first among many to come should the owner of all the words will so. The book? ‘A Funeral Dress for Nyasuguta’, available here: https://nuriakenya.com/product/a-funeral-dress-for-nyasuguta-by-mark-mwangi/ ). Others include: ‘Love Told. Poetry Souled. Family Bold.’ – a 3-in-1 Special that has snippets of life and love, poetry, and a play; ‘People of the Sand,’ – a fantasy novel that embodies African cultures, among others. There is the recorded word too. The expression of this include: ‘A True Friend’ – an inspirational piece that you can have as a Skiza Tune (Send the Skiza Code

  Nowadays, I mostly walk, you know, the economy. For longer distances, I use matatus. On deserted alleys – late at night, as I come from Champions Leagues’ matches (again, Manchester United breaking my heart) – ‘nduthis’ come in handy. Otherwise, me and ‘nduthis’ are not exactly friends. At least, not the reckless rides that are Nairobi’s boda-bodas. Down at the coast, they first greet you then give you all the ‘tea’ – gossip, before carefully depositing you at your destination. Anyway, matatus and their ‘kanges’ can have you laughing. Even when you’ve been locked out of the house. Or had strong tea, ugali, avocado and macadamia for brunch – again, the economy. Examples: “Save the chubby unicorn.” A stencilled rhino on the matatu’s body completes the imagery. The driver too needs saving. He is so heavy the matatu is leaning on one side. As Amerix would say, he needs to unfat. Maybe, then, he wouldn’t be so angry, hassling the ‘kange’ and other road users. “Hata Ruto alisimama nd

 I choose me, for He has chosen me Boldly I act, for He strengthens me Blessed I am, for His favour is upon me I eat, drink, make merry to my fill For He has authored me so. The evening star He sends to point the way, when I am dark The sun to glow and grow The rain to nourish my soul His child I am, eternal. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TmiahCaO7nw

 Then… We were the hopeful The faithful Delirious and desirous We studied and restudied Business plan and pitch decks. Our dreams were grand Our byes were ready We were divorcing poverty Notaries – we befriended We hand around the house For the almighty WhatsApp call Our prayers were to be answered… But… The Investor works in mysterious ways Yes, no, some put on the waiting list Dreams dashed, others answered Sunny days for some Lonely nights for others. So fragile, our hearts became So frail, our minds were For the nos were resounding Shaking us to our cores Disrupting our lives Like Covid, unseen in their comings. But… This too shall pass Tomorrow, the sun will caress our smiles, once more. We are healed now. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZfYgAXkhUY

Ah, sweet sweet Carolina The one who gives me high blood pressure The one who makes me work to be a millionaire Your dimples, they can make me Nairobi Governor. Ah, sweet sweet Carolina The one who made me meet Jesus The one who grazed me with mango lips Your smile, sweet as toothpaste If only you had a twin, my life would be complete. Please like, subscribe and share my YouTube channel, ‘Sant Mark – Elohi Tembea Nami’, for inspirational, informative and funny content. Thanks!   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zzyoaQjZq7o  

  Your support of my Art is highly appreciated.

  The following books are on offer off my personal library. Kindly pay and text for delivery on: 0708276622. Delivery costs on the customer's end; Thanks.

Do you tell yourself ‘No’? That it can’t be done? That you are inadequate? For the task? The job at hand? Well, you are right. Do you tell yourself ‘Yes’? That it can be done? That you are good enough? Maybe, excellent at getting the job done? Again, you are right. For we become what we tell ourselves. What we only allow ourselves to be. What we permit ourselves to be. This, then, is the difference between those who can’t and those who can. The cowardly and the bold. The naysayers and the adventurers. The poor and the millionaire. For while the poor man curses, blaming everyone for his present circumstances – the government, his parents, his employer, his landlord… The millionaire tarries not, for he looks inwards. He says to himself, “This can be done.” And affirming himself so, he asks that million-dollar question: “How can it be done?” If he lacks the skill-set for getting the job done, he gets another with the requisite skill-set. If he lacks the resources, he convinces

  Let’s start with some music first. Me playing my rendition of ‘Amazing Grace’ – that eternal melody. Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound That saved a wretch, like me I was once lost, but now I am found was blind but now I see. What do you think of my rendition? Is it bad? Is it good? Is it average? Really, it does not matter what you think – for we all have our prejudices, our biases; and art, as is life, is subjective. What matters is that I’ve given myself permission to play the tune, then went ahead and played it. Perhaps, by now, you could be building a million-dollar business, but you are waiting for external validation. You are waiting for another person or other persons to give you the go ahead. Know what my sister? Know what my brother? You are enough to give yourself permission. In fact, you are more than enough. For you are fearfully and wonderfully made. Yes, sister. Yes, brother. You are created in His likeness. You are a majestic being. His Glory and His Grace is