Derrick Kakooza

“Old and gone” by Derrick Kakooza

Giving an account of the inhabitants of Eldham may help clear things up. Perhaps it might explain my character and the things I have become accustomed to. Our village is rich in gray-haired women, and we call them the venerable. Herculean men are seldom seen in the neighborhood. What is left of men are the lanky figures seen, and, mostly heard at dawn and sunset. One cannot miss their slurred speech, an unending list of their accomplishments, and the big thing they are about to do. We all love to listen to their muddled lyrics - something or...

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“Little Miss Annie” by Derrick Kakooza

Submitted to Contest #65

The beat from my father’s lyre courses through my body like a rabbit in a foreign warren. He fiddles with it, eyes closed as if thinking about every beat with great devotion. The microwave beeps and my father springs from the smooth acacia seat. He runs to hail his warmed pumpkin soup. Everything about the day is weird. At least that’s what my mother wanted when she set the Halloween challenge. My father is half Dracula, half a clown. His shoes squeak like a kid’s toy. He straightens the collar of his coat, black and long with Count Dracula’...

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“A life full of sketches ” by Derrick Kakooza

Submitted to Contest #56

I have always wanted to be an artist. To capture the most beautiful moments in people’s lives – with a brush and paint, or simply a pen and paper. I once thought that the sight of my paintings would bring heaven on earth. Make a sad soul cheerful. I started out as a pizza delivery guy after graduation. It’s not what I had in my mind but it turned out to be an interesting adventure. Thomas would sneak alcohol and cigars every Saturday. I once saw him smoke during working hours and I let him. That’s how we become friends, partners in crime....

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“Felipe and the man in blue” by Derrick Kakooza

Submitted to Contest #54

Felipe has no friends at school. Also, he barely knows how to sing. All he does is hum as we practice for the upcoming regional musical competitions besides the school hall. Sometimes I want to hit him hard or smack him – in a good way. If he can’t join us in singing, he shouldn’t peep and hum as we sing. Felipe doesn’t have a tongue. All that is left is a hollow mouth with a couple of canines and incisors. My friend Thomas says he lost it the night his parents died. Today Felipe sat with me during lunch. He carries his food in a brown bag. ...

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“Letters to Fr Bill” by Derrick Kakooza

Submitted to Contest #45

Dear Fr Bill,I made a new friend yesterday, Mathew. He’s a favorite of the captains at the barracks. No one matches his skill in making bows, arrows, and fishing hooks. Like all the boys from Mogul, he’s stout, tall, and swift but exceptionally kind and gentle. I read a text from the book of Exodus with him. I don’t know if he liked it but he kept asking why I read the Bible every day. It seems he has been watching me for a while. He promised to craft me a satchel where I can keep it. I guess he will use goatskin. It’s what we use for our wa...

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“A howl of love” by Derrick Kakooza

Submitted to Contest #39

The evening thunderstorm blew through Pavory Street downing some trees but living a lovely sight. The sky turned glowing orange with soggy grounds below. But the night skies were even grander. Quiet and starlit with the silvery-white moonlight sprinkled on the ground. The moon will not be lonely tonight. Charlie thinks this is the night he has been waiting for. It’s the first time in months that a thunderstorm yielded orange skies and a starlit full moon night.Charlie stared hopingly at the bright sky. Not even the soggy grounds and a cool b...

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“Kande and the evening soothers” by Derrick Kakooza

Submitted to Contest #37

Kande unflappably waited for the Chief to give him audience. He had devoted his life to this case and now all he needed was the Chief’s signature on the papers. He could clearly see through the faint brown blinds that the Chief was still on phone- having one of those long conversations letting out small chuckles that petered into deep sighs. Leaning back, he placed his feet on the desk showing off his glittering black shoes. They looked glossy and matched with his black suit in which he was clad. A beer-bellied, broad shouldered man with hal...

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“All she needs is a bowl of steamed potatoes” by Derrick Kakooza

Submitted to Contest #31

Life is meant to be beautiful. But at times, Life is ugly and sad. You, me, them and us can either make life beautiful or ugly.I’m not sure am ready for this. The fact that Aunt May is around on my first try makes me anxious. I have a few memories of how my mother did this ever since I was a nipper. But then, Life teaches us that those vague memories must be assembled if one is to survive perilous times. Unprepared for what awaits, I conjecture that it won't be an easy task to cook dinner for me and Aunt May.Aunt May stands hunched in front ...

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“I knew that I held the key to paradise ” by Derrick Kakooza

Submitted to Contest #30

How shall I ever forget that dreadful night. The stealthy walk down the path, taking advantage of every thorny shrub for cover, the occasional cry of a night-bird that roused my fears, the stars shining coldly in a cloudless sky. I snivelled as I frantically searched for my wife.November 1885 marked the end of the tribal war between the Watante and the Huffs. The grief of losing friends and family overwhelmed me, like a bad dream that could not be shaken off. Those of us that remained had to serve and work for the Huffs. My musical abilities...

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“On the rails to Dong Ha” by Derrick Kakooza

Submitted to Contest #27

It was a bright Monday morning on January 23rd. Looking through the window on my left, I could see that the sun was a big fiery ball in the sky. The clouds stood still, the trees gently swayed and all life seemed to be at peace. I stretched gently and reached out for my yoga mat. I had just started doing the Downward Facing Dog when I received a call from Merlyn. She had moved to a new city and wanted me to pay her a visit.Merlyn never made appointments. She always expected me to say yes on all occasions. I had to choose between the 10:30am ...

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