Prayer Roads Rising

I used to look at the dusty road

And imagine

a different life.

Ghetto boy, small room,

big dreams, Mama praying every single night.

Father working until his hands were tired,

Still saying, “Son, your day will come.” I used to ask,

“But when, but when?” Now look at me…

My day has come.

My name is Kutenda-ishe,

I came from dust but I dreamed in gold.

Protected by my parents’ prayers,

Even when the road was cold.

Now the Benz is shining in the driveway,

BMW

sitting next to the Range,

Lambo roaring like the dream I carried,

Bentley reminding me how life can change.

But before the cars and before the money,

There were people who believed in me.

So if I ever rise too high to remember,

Lord, bring me back to where I used to be.

Your mother prayed,

Your father worked,

Every tear became a seed.

Now the boy they protected Is standing inside the dream.

Kutenda-ishe, shine, shine, shine!

Look what the prayers have done!

You were asking, “When will my time come?” Now your time has

finally come! (Is this real,

or am I dreaming?) No,

my love, you are living it!

Mama is smiling, Father is proud,

God is alive — look at us now!

My wife beside me,

family laughing, Everybody eating at the table now.

The same boy walking those dusty streets Can finally breathe and look

around. I know what hunger taught my spirit,

I know what waiting did to my heart.

So every blessing feels much deeper When you remember where you had

to start. I am the apple of my people’s eye,

But I will never say I made it alone.

Every prayer, every hand that held me,

Helped this boy find his way home.

I used to say:

“When?”

“When will it happen?” “When will my life begin?”

Then God answered:

“Now.”

Kutenda-ishe, shine, shine, shine!

Your mother’s prayers were never wasted!

Your father’s work was never wasted!

Every hard year brought you here!

Benz! BMW! Lambo! Bentley!

Range Rover! But more than all these things I see,

My family is happy

— that is wealth to me!

God is great, the prayers came true,

The life we dreamed is finally here!

(I asked, “When?”) The answer is NOW!

So tonight, Zimbabwe — LET US CELEBRATE!

From the dust to the lights,

From prayer to reality… Kutenda-ishe is living the dream.

And this time…

I am awake.