PIKELELA GUTYUNGWA MEMOIRS

Fantasy! Fantasy is like dreaming with your eyes wide open and 100% fully aware of your immediate surroundings. You notice everyone, but don't truly see them. You hear all these voices like the four winds all going at once in four directions. Hey, why does it feel like I am standing stuck in the middle of the crossroads? Why are all these people ignoring my presence as if I were invisible like a ghostly figure? Wow! Clouds are flying lower than usual today, I can even touch them with my hand! What a day—I want to ride the clouds. Fantasy is the only thing left next to reality when all hope is gone. This is my one last spare parachute to break my fall when my castle in the sky comes crashing down! Oh kid, did I tell you that when my heart and soul are in this undetectable mode, nobody can hear my screams during my free fall? Fantasy. A benefit of this habitat is that you can always regain your footing, no matter how often you fall. Did you know that fantasy is t...

Ivan! Most things in life, like celebrations, come and go as they will. Even friendship between close friends dries up and dies like they never even took place. Friends forgetting friends, is only human and happens all the time. Why? Because people move on with their lives and forget what’s left behind! In my life as a lower grade pupil, I still have lingering memories I shared with my friend. Would you believe me if I told you that our life-long friendship stretches from childhood . Ivan and I were in the same grade.  I used to stop by Ivan’s house every school day to fetch him. Incredibly, Ivan lived only 100 meters from our school, but I never recall finding Ivan ready and waiting. Instead, I had to wait for Ivan as his mother checked him and made sure he was good to go. Ivan and I went separate ways when we got promoted to start high school. After this, we completely lost each other even when we were staying in the same area. Days, weeks, months, and years flew past over our he...

  Dear Mirror! I shall not forget the day my mother introduced us to each other. Your looks gave me one hell of a fright: we looked too identical! I almost jumped out of my baby skin. Come on now my friend, you could have felt the same way as the baby I was inside! Stop giggling and listen to me. Among all the friends I have had in this world, nobody can rival our friendship, living or dead. Every time I walk into my room, there you are: still smiling at me sweetly after all these years. You have a true definition of reliable companionship. I do not know how you do it! Occasionally, I left my room to run errands, work, or visit the city or church. No matter what I do and wherever I go, you are always there waiting for me like the good old friend that you have always been. I see you in my hotel rooms, and even when I am visiting relatives and friends. Your omnipresence is mind boggling . I see your face painted all over my landscape, there is no hiding from your shar...

These Streets! One cannot forget these intimidating up and down stares furiously targeting the good citizens of this town. Who are these people, these faceless bullies and where did they come from? We used to fill and occupy these streets from corner to corner and screamed all day long as kids. Hey. We feared nothing at all because these streets belonged to us. We will not allow our streets to be deserted in broad daylight as if we’re back to pandemic days! My mother and father were born and met on these streets. I lived under their shadows after they introduced me to these same streets. I grew up on these streets, I know and speak the language of these streets and unreservedly own these streets. These streets gifted me my place in the sun and all the wokeness that comes with my birthright. I wrote these verbs, prose, and verbiage for you because I can.  To remind all and sundry that Pikelela left his footprints on these timeless streets. Yep, these streets are mine, and I own the ...

Standing Beside Myself… The Conclusion! O mortal man, is this your body that you wore on earth? God asked. As I continued to wiggle like a worm in the presence of the Almighty: my pounding heart gave me no break either. You see, no mortal can stand face to face with the invisible God. His divine presence all around is all the assurance you need, to know for sure! There’s no human vocabulary expressive enough to articulate this tangibleness taking place; when mortality collides with Eternity and the Divine! The voice of God coming through my conscience in a still small voice... felt like I was wearing a divine blanket all over my body. Yes, yes, my Good LORD. This is my body that I wore on earth. My voice trembled with divine fear in a worshipping tone. There was no scary fear in my heart as I answered God laying face down. This was thee moment I felt trapped within the capsule of time. Suddenly, time was no longer a passing moment in seconds, minutes, and hours. Time became my world...

Standing Beside Myself! Once upon a time in Eternity, I find myself standing in the Presence of the Almighty God. Whether this was in my dream or seeing a vision, I cannot tell for sure. But one thing I know for sure; this was me, just as I used to be on earth. By standing I mean, no mortal can really stand before God as you would before a mortal judge. I have been to a courthouse only twice in my life. The Presence of God all over me, around me, and under my feet was more real than anything I have seen or felt before! Is this the Judgement Day or just another hallucinating experience on my part? It is easier to find yourself flying when dreaming. O mortal man, is this your body that you wore on earth? God asked. For the first time and at that very moment I realized, I was standing without and staring at my own body! Did I see God or His glorious face? If you asked me, I do not remember any of that. Were you conscious of the heavenly surroundings which enveloped you? ...

  Forever Young! Life, like dedicated football players doing their best to impress the coach: just like God at birth gently tapping your head and said, Go for it and give it your best! Can you see all these vast fields? They are yours for the taking, run, jump and roll all you can: have fun. This was the time when I was new to the world and the world was new to me. We embraced each other and this beautiful world promised to be always there for me, no matter what! What guarantees can you give to me for our lifelong friendship, I asked? You can rest assured I am always there for you, every time you breathe; I pledge you, my atmosphere. I pledge you all the sunshine you will ever need to brighten up your day. The stars will always be above your head to light up your darkest nights. Every time you lift your eyes towards the heavens at night, the moon will be smiling down on you, to remind you about your seasons! Forever young! More than just a feeling, we owe to our fav...