Translated from Luganda by Ssebo Lule

(2023)

It’s because of the weight of its fat.
The worries of this world.
Maybe the snail is just lazy.
It’s not in a rush for anything.
It carries along its roof and cave on its back.
Its former boss is long dead.
It’s not being chased by a cat.
It’s not on the run; it cleared all tax dues.
It’s trying to eavesdrop on our conversations.
Its shoe soles are slipppppery…
It moves like that to exhibit its talent.
It loves attention.
It’s simply big-headed.
It’s slow on purpose to out-compete a tortoise.
Its sluggishness is hereditary.

This poem was originally published as Ekisoobya Ekkovu in Ebitontome Ebitasesa, Ssebo Lule’s second full-length poetry collection.