Rainbow Skies and Pies That Fly!

By Tafadzwa Matamba

Tafadzwa Matamba shares his stories and poems from the memories of his native homeland in the Hurungwe Rural District, Zimbabwe while beginning a new life on Vancouver Island, Canada. Enjoying natures beauty, sharing cultural experiences and taking the reader on a short journey to remembering that we are all one! Tafadzwa writes from the heart and shares a perspective that is enlightening, thoughtful, inspiring and gives hope to all. This book is intended to support the Matamba Cultural Arts and Education Center in Magunje, Zimbabwe and on Vancouver Island, Canada.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tafadzwa Matamba
• Release date: Jun 23, 2015
• ISBN: 9780994057716

Book preview

Rainbow Skies and Pies That Fly!

Rainbow Skies and

Pies that Fly!

Stories and Poems

By

Tafadzwa Matamba

Rainbow Skies And Pies That Fly!

ISBN:  978-0-9940577-1-6

Copyright © 2015 (Tafadzwa Matamba)

All rights reserved.

This book is dedicated to

My beautiful wife.

A happy wife is a happy life! 

My husband, Tafadzwa Matamba, is a man of passion and embraces each moment to the fullest with his body, mind and spirit. I love how he captures nature’s beauty and embraces peace love and harmony at the same time. He has the courage of a warrior as he moves forward each day, embracing all life’s beauty presently in front of his eyes or only a sweet memory away.

Tafadzwa spent his whole life in Zimbabwe, Africa until bravely coming to Canada to embrace a new life journey.  Coming from a land locked country and now finding himself on an island is only one of many differences he was to encounter.  However these differences are also what inspired the expressive, colourful writing in this book.  This collection of poems and stories begins during his second winter in Canada. 

Tafadzwa captures the essence of each changing season with the moon and stars as his witness.  At times, the only way he could travel back home was through precious, heartfelt memories of his Motherland. You will find yourself inspired by the beauty and knowledge, smiling at the innocence and fun, puzzled by the injustice, all while embracing the tender heart of my love, Tafadzwa Matamba. 

Amy Matamba

Mbira Spirit is the dynamic artist and educator duo of beautiful Amy and Tafadzwa Matamba.

Together we create sweet joyful harmonies that are very inspiring and motivating! Through educating, cultivating and raising awareness about the traditions and cultures of Zimbabwe, we hope to reach out far and wide a previously under-served population about Zimbabwe and reawaken that side of things that still face a lot of threat of being wiped out by mainly foreign teachings and ideologies at the expense of best practices that have survived the test of time! The new and the old can sure co-exist! We yearn to strengthen the self-image and pride of present and future generations in Zimbabwe through Mbira music that has been played in the landlocked country since time immemorial!

As Mbira Spirit, it is our aim to preserve and promote the heritage and shared cultures of the people of Zimbabwe through music that fosters world peace, love and harmony! The world is very interconnected today and it is important that the four brothers and sisters from the four directions acknowledge each other with love and respect! There is a need to provide an enriching environment that allows all to remember and celebrate their shared experiences, traditions, identities, struggles and aspirations.

Our primary objective is building and sustaining a sense of community for non-commercial culture, so as to improve quality of life through accepting our individual differences as the source of cohesiveness and development. There is great need for Diversity Empowerment Programs that help students and the community at large relate to different cultures through a combination of interactive music and dance, arts projects, workshops and a bit of Zimbabwean cuisine! Our music is suitable for all ages and has a universal message of peace, love and harmony!

As we bring in the year 2015, it is our goal to create a Cultural Arts Centre on Vancouver Island, Canada, Amy’s original home, and Magunje, Zimbabwe, Tafadzwa’s original home.  We can achieve Mbira Spirit’s project from one community to another. 

All proceeds from Mbira Spirit’s Art, including this book, will go towards our vision of building this bridge between our two cultures and countries to support the Arts, embrace diversity, and encourage lasting friendships.

Tafadzwa Matamba

The Red Moon

Moonrise once upon a night for me to enjoy!

I feel like a child that is moved by a simple toy.

What a decoy to wash away the sorrow in my heart.

The seagulls about fly ecstatically with grace,

Riding the sudden bursts of wind bringing in clams!

While alone I stand at this solitary Mill Bay beach,

Breathing in deeply the salty air that smells so good

And is very nutritious for the soul!

How I wish I could forever drink in this magical moment

That is far beyond words to fully capture the sight!

Behold the seductive colours and splendor!

How with so much ease it tickles this spine of mine.

The red big ball of fire climbing slowly

From the deepest regions of the earth

And gliding across the clear skies

On its secret journey, is rather enchanting and romantic!

There is a blessing in the air that is very charming.

My gratitude for this moment present is sincere.

The fullness of life I embrace with loving arms,

I feel it in the evocative murmur of the sea

And up above where the red moon continues to glide.

Across the glistening waters, the moonshine is kissing the Pacific as if it were their last dance!

In the deepest recesses of my soul,

I know money does not guarantee happiness!

Neither will a diamond chain nor a gold nugget!

But these simple treats from Mother Nature for free!

As each day I yearn to deliver right the music of my ancestors,

I am not moved the notes I handle no better than many.

My heart tells me I am the hero of my story.

I am the eyes of my soul and these wisely

I kept open as summer rolled into autumn,

And autumn, swiftly handing over to winter!

It all feels like an illusion.