Push through

They tore into her. Her cousins, uncle and aunt. They hurled abuse at her, Day and night. They overworked her. All of them. Made her wake up 4 am, To clean, scrub and mop, To cook, dust and shop, Until midnight. She worked and worked Then slept in a box. A wooden box. Rough in …

Inhabit (Haibun)

Enjoy this short poem Of beauty beyond compare. Beauty without heart. ........ Her perfect slim form, A temptation to man and woman, Rise from the shimmering waters. Her graceful form breaks through the rivulets with every stride. Her movements in the sea was amble and confident like she was Poisedon’s very own mistress. So graceful, …

Moth path

The moth seeks moon light But is tricked by lesser lights Quick death beckoning Ife sat outside all evening wrapped in her flowery satin house coat after she had put Emeka to sleep. She watched moths fly towards the fluorescent garden light, kissing the glow of the lamp again and again until they fell onto …

Time waits for none

Years flow endlessly A passenger one minute Down under the next. Tunde flipped open his diary as his eyes scanned through what he had planned for the day and the next. It was the first of December. 'Where has 2019 gone?' He shook his head in disbelief as he reflected on what he had done …

Dark place

Onye rolled in dirty gritty slime. She locked herself in this dark space, devoid of air, every time she remembered his hands on her body. She peered through the thick storm windows at the other Onye, her hands lingering on the frame. Unable to reach her, she could only wish she was her as she …

Sun everlasting

Let me tell you of the lady that came visiting me the other night. It was a Saturday night. Life's daily task completed, all was still and calm in my mind as I laid down and waited for death's far removed cousin. I heard a soft knock. I looked up, and there she was at …

Bottled up

Bottle of pain leaks. Daily, tears flow and blood seeps. Fragile is her heart. Therein, we died, but, I live, still. Therein, I buried your kisses and your caresses of my tresses and crevices. Therein, I laid pains, and, the chains wrought from times when you made it rain on my skin. Therein, I sat …

The sweetest jam is shared jam.

"I love you," Labake said, smiling sweetly at Ajoke. "Uh uh... you always say that. Why don't you show me instead," Ajoke said offhandedly as she opened a bowl of cherries. "Here," Labake offered a jar of orange jam to Ajoke, "I give you the yummiest jam on earth." Ajoke rolled her eyes and smiled, …

Who did it?

“Who did this?!” Uriel asked incredulously. “Not me!” Joey said, looking guilty. Looking mortified, Adam muttered, “not me!” “You both have some explaining to do. I’ve been gone but for a short while and the tree of life is gone! No leaves,…” Uriel looked at Joey, “…nor trunk.” He looked at Adam. “Ha, perhaps we shall …

Chants

I hear chants, Chants! Chants! Chants! Behind closed doors. They assail my ears From The coven The temple The church The mosque So much in common But they beg to differ Do you? Sun asks sea and land "Who struts like he owns the earth?" "He who makes fire." ❤Aweni Adams July 2019