Daughter's daughter

Heather, this poem is for Annika. It is based on the Nande custom of a grandfather referring to his granddaughter as 'mama', meaning that she is the mother of his descendants, and in her the cycle of life goes on forever.
Daughter’s daughter

From Rwese where he started
In the cool of early day,
Past the pipit and the sparrow,
Through banana tree and taro,
On the ancient pathway narrow,
Old Lyasweka made his way.

From Rwese, gentle-hearted,
With his family by his side,
With his daughter and her daughter,
Past the little streams of water
As the sun was growing hotter,
And the little baby cried.

Years have come and long departed.
Still I see them in my mind.
Daughter’s panya colored brightly,
Daughter’s daughter wrapped up tightly,
Old Lyasweka, stooping slightly,
And the face with kindness lined.

For the Nandes, life uncharted
On a daughter’s girl depends.
She is love’s one great endeavor,
Chain of life that cannot sever.
Child is mother is forever
And the circle never ends.

This the wisdom he imparted,
To the baby gently smiled,
Called her ‘Mama’ twice repeating,
Called her ‘Mama’, gentle greeting,
Called her ‘Mama’, present meeting
Past and future in this child.

From Rwese where he started
In the cool of early day,
Past the pipit and the sparrow,
Through banana tree and taro,
There’s an ancient pathway narrow,
Where I too now make my way.