We grew up measuring height
against the kitchen wall,
thinking Mum and Dad would always be
the tallest people we knew.

Now Mum’s hair carries more grey,
Dad moves a little slower,
and somehow the questions have changed—
“Have you eaten?” becomes “Did you eat?”
“Be careful” becomes “Take care.”

We are busy building our lives,
chasing Nairobi traffic, dreams, and tomorrow,
while they sit a little quieter at home,
still telling the same stories
from the village, the old days, the family.

Maybe growing up is realizing
that the hands that once carried us
will one day need holding too—
and before time takes the chance away,
we should sit, listen, laugh,
and stay a little longer.