SALIENT BLESSING

On days like this
My wishes turn sour
Remembering the sound of your laughter
Holding onto the reins your humour threw
Remembering your rants, insecurities and all
Pushing me into a heap that never forms
Ava; forever, together
as turtle doves in Denver
I hold on to the shadow unleft
Cleft,  bent, swept
unknown yet renowned
unseen and covered
But like cover stories,
The first pages of magazines
Hold your face, story and all
But do they see this?
as I do or no
Does your name ring bells
In the world as in my heart?
or I'm back with my wordless questions with no audience to listen or nod
Am I this me or it's just you
this inspiration,
Method,
Moment,
Melody,
Music,
That pushes my pen and ignites lines unknown
as you remain unknown
and I ***** endless apologies.

When will this end?

This era of parading filth,
Homes in disarray,
men bound to labour,
Women as men in labour

What will befall the children
The testimonies of God's goodness
Evidence of creation not evolution
facts to hold on to
Moving miracles in torn clothes

When will this truly end?

Leaving this diversion,
I still honour you my grandmother
Silent heroine, moulder and mentor
taking in all the guile
fighting in weakness
holding on in pain
carving out tomorrow's moments
from today's baggage
pleading not with nature
Demanding nothing absurd
but silently unknown
I scream to the world

Wishes never last
as dew they know not when they leave
holding nothing, taking non
leaving the earth neither wet nor dry
But not you
making impacts silently
giving good
Despite the receipts
I hold nothing back as I rant of your good
Nnem ukwu onye efoma
You are blessed among women.

I can see.
Flood of tears streaming down your delicate face.
Your rosy life replaced by a topsy turvy one faught with failure.
Filled with disappointments that have deprived you of precious sleep.
Laden with bouts of miscarriages and recurring rounds of ailments.

I can hear;
The deep groans you utter in your anguish.
The whimper you wish to suppress every time the belt of your supposed better half touches you.
The deep breaths you take before going into the doctors office,
And the bitter cry when you are tagged unfruitful by your mother in law.

Nwa nnem.
Jide Chukwu Ike.
Move away from that bottle and make your way towards His temple.

With a little belief, approach His temple.
With a little strength, kneel at His feet.
With a genuine heart, thank Him for the times of plenty.
With a sincere heart, pour out your heart in prayers.
With a determined resolve, make a vow or seed offering to Him.

Naught more I can say.
Much more He can do.

For He is Jehovah overdo.
Surprising Sarah with a child in her old age.
Granting Esther favour in the sight of her peoples overlords
Using a little boy in David to bring victory to his nation.

Just believe auntie.
All will be well uncle.
He shall fight for you and you will hold your peace.
#BASHORUN

I miss packing my bag the night before...
I miss the open road…
I miss the journey…
I miss the airport announcements…
I miss calling Nnem Omma before the flight takes off
I miss the beauty of the clouds from above them
I miss waiting for my luggage to come through
I miss asking for directions
I miss the hotel rooms
I miss the ****** food


I crave that high when the plane leaves the ground
I crave new sights, new smells and new food
I crave a town where no-one knows my name
I crave saying hello in a new language
I crave new wonders and adventures
I crave postcard-worthy pictures
I crave the journey yet to begin