It feels like I’ve been here before.
The caw of the rooster waking you up;
The organized chaos of the traffic;
The smell of dust is sweet to me.
I can feel the Earth beneath my feet;
I can see the stars.
I can taste the sweetness of the fruit;
I can hear myself think.
It’s so nourishing,
The connection with the Earth.
When I stand, I’m rooted,
And when I fall, I feel welcome.
They tell us dreams are made
In a concrete jungle,
But concrete is made.
The Jungle is.
Is paradise really white and smooth?
Is it like a diamond, lustrous and bright?
Or is it green and brown and natural,
Like the Jungle where diamonds are from?
About the author: Reuben Amunga Miree was a 2025 Field of Hope Fellow who traveled to Uganda to learn firsthand about the organization’s work in agricultural development, education, and community transformation. Through visits to schools, farms, and villages, he gained a deeper understanding of the challenges communities face and the impact that sustainable solutions can make.
