In memory of my former literature teacher

I was recently in a bookshop trying to find books that are different from the usual motivation porn that you get from bookshops in Kampala.

Would you like to buy some inspiration books?,

— asked a young woman.

Show me something real, for heaven’s sake. Not pornography.

I retorted, but never said it out loud.

So I began looking through the shelves on my own.

Slowly, methodically, through the okay-ish collection that they had.

I combed through the books that I read when I was still a teenager at my parents’ house.

And finally, I landed on the books that we read for my Ordinary Level Literature syllabus.

Most significantly, my eyes landed on “Song of Lawino” and “Rhymes and Rhythms”.

I paused.

I stared at the books.

The books stared back at me, unflinchingly. Unaware of the emotional storm they were stirring.

And all the memories swept through me like a gust of wind in an instant.

I could see myself before my teacher, the (now late) Mrs. Resty Kabiito.

I could hear her voice guiding us as we read through the manuscripts.

I could still “feel” her guiding me through writing an essay for a national competition. (I think I wrote, by hand, more than 4 drafts.)

And yes, the essay was 4th out of 10 among the best nationwide. (I got my first prize money, as well)…

–

A part of me wonders if this is all there is to living: memories.

Memories of what was, what could have been, and what happened.

A time machine of sorts.

I will always remember her.

Continue resting, Resty.

cues: Lost in Memories by Ferry Tayle, Pitch & XiJaro