“Halle luja, halle luja;
It is raining bread in Ethiopia!!”
I heard the radio announcing with hysteria.
For I was feeling hungry;
And I thought it was a true story;
I run out of my hut;
With a small sack in my hand.
While outside, I saw eagerly left and right;
To fetch some bread from the street side.
For I couldn’t spot there neither a crumb nor a bit;
I kept on running to the next street;
With stumbling legs and feet.
Here too, was nothing to find;
Except the usual stray dogs;
And the ever growing number of crazy guys I know;
Sniffing around each block;
Gradually, I felt the chilliness of the weather;
And my ever growing hunger;
I stood up for a while;
And I saw towards the sky;
Oh! it was dark and scary;
Rain drops and hailstones start falling;
But no bread up there on the making.
Realizing no bread to find in the streets;
I searched my pockets for some coins;
Noting that I have a couple of them;
I rushed to the next backery;
And I asked for two breads for my money.
The lady briefly smiled and told me straight;
That I wouldn’t get even a single one for it;
I was confused indeed quite a bit.
Wait a minute!
Didn’t I recently buy two breads,
For the same amount I offered?
But, yes, a couple of weeks has passed;
And I am probably a little too late.
Now, I am getting more worried;
How am I gonna temper my internal need?
May I walk to the next traffic light;
Spread my hands with bowing head?
And beg in the name of the Almighty God?
Or go to next door and snatch a crumb of bread?
I still hear it, the radio kept on announcing with hysteria;
“Halle luja, halle luja;”
“It is raining bread in Ethiopia.”
Tell me, where is this bread of theirs to find,
If not here where it is most hailed?
Oh, God! I am getting more confused.
Why are you letting your creatures so abused;
us the voiceles and subdued?
Please pull us off the refused;
And give us what we needed;
Our freedom and our daily food.
I sing halle luja, halle luja!
Let freedom rain in Ethiopia!
Let peace reign in Ethiopia!
And thus not division and love-phobia!
Halle luja, halle luja!!
