The atmosphere bursting with activity

Laughing children, merry women

Men jovial, drunk with 'Muratina',

some with Tusker and the flamboyant

with Johnie Walker

The sad mooing of slaughter cows, fearful bleating of goats, 

loud clucking of chicken, all destined for the same fate

Mixed with the merry of the atmosphere

City returnees, diaspora returnees

Accents mingling, some clashing

New clothes both local and foreign

A cocktail of foods, scrumptious sweets, refreshing drinks in plenty

both soft and hard

The mellow voices of Jim Reeves and Bonnie M

broadcasting from the cassette players

Exuberant children and mothers happily decorating the Christmas trees

There comes that melodious whistling, skilfully humming Christmas carols

We skipped and danced to my father's whistling - humming the 'Star of David' adroitly.