She caught them underneath the staircase, whispering furtively about things she could only wonder about. Jeta smiled when he saw her, a thin, wispy shot of a smile that veiled plans that only he knew. Ore laughed, her guilty look appearing and disappearing in shades as they broke away from each other and put some … Continue reading The Surprise
“I had sex last night.” BJ’s calm announcement, sent mother’s green tea hurtling back up her esophagus. She choked on it and coughed twice. Then she placed her mug on the table in a bid to gather her composure. Father’s fork was halfway to his mouth. It trembled, as it made its way back down … Continue reading The Confession
Love me now or love me never, Love me true, and love forever. Love me please, and do not waver, Love me breathlessly, and quaver. Love me fiercely, love me clever, Love me deeply, love me ever. Love me, pour it like a river, Love me, let it spark a fever. Love me, Love … Continue reading Love Me
One of the perks of owning a small car, is being able to maneuver into small spaces. I backed my car slowly into a spot between a black SUV and a wine space bus with a sigh of relief. Then pushing the gear into park, I took my foot off the break as tiny droplets of water … Continue reading The Umbrella
It’s an impossible thing to tell a boy not to love a girl Impossible to train his stuttering lips to speak or still the ticking of his heart when a dam breaks within him and his blood rages like an untamed river Impossible to say the least to slow the beating of his heart or … Continue reading To Love a Girl
This story is a tribute to the time when outdoor play was a common occurrence in Nigeria and children could run around with freedom, with no reason for parents to worry if they would be safe. It is set in a time when every adult could discipline any child with no legal consequences. … Continue reading The Penguin Close Bully
My mother placed the artifacts Like those I’ve never seen Upon our shinny Christmas tree So red so gold so green Criss-crossed the trimmings Round and round And let the boxes hang Then tuned the pretty yellow lights Till they lit up and sang I watched in wonder, filled with awe And clapped my … Continue reading Red, Gold and Green
As the soft wind blows through the trees, I hear the sound of the whisper of leaves, I hear the moan of an old oak tree, And the crack of a cricket, In the dark of a thicket. As the silence steals around the midnight, There is a shimmer of brilliant moonlight, Across the … Continue reading A Walk through the Park
“Where were you last night?” I heard the crunch of broken pieces of glass beneath my feet as stepped through the front door. “With Kunle.” I replied with a frown. “Why didn’t you call?” My mother stood in the corridor. I shrugged and turned around slowly, noticing that the painting that used to hang above … Continue reading Where were you last night?
As with the rising morning sun That breaks the day with light My savior’s clouds of blue and white Create a lovely sight Each fresh green leaf upon a tree Each patterned colored petal Are showered with his morning dew Down to the littlest detail He makes the sun to shine Upon the just … Continue reading He Makes Everything New
A gentle tap A soft smile Misty eyes A tender touch A warm embrace Hushed whispers A long look In silent nights Calm demure A steady heartbeat Flushed cheeks A content sigh He didn’t have to speak She just knew He wanted to but She understood For love is a language Far above … Continue reading Love is a Language
Sidiola lay on her bed in her room while her father slept. She tried not to think about the talking drum in the backyard but she couldn’t help herself. It was brown and ordinary the day they had picked it up from the forest but last night, it had reminded her of the night she … Continue reading The Woodcarver’s Daughter 2
O what would I give for a kobo or two An old blind beggar sang He sat in the sand, a bell in his hand And over and over it rang Get out of my way, I am late today A young man rounded a turn For I’m in a hurry so why … Continue reading The Beggar
The silence in the Arogun palace courtyard was deafening that morning as a clan of high level warriors and guards stood in rows facing their commander. Beside him stood the village war chief Arole and the deputy chief warrior, Erelu. The only other sound came from an occasional blowing of wind on the high roof … Continue reading The Jewel of Ikojo – 3
King Lisabi was having breakfast when the queen mother of Arogun entered his rooms. He had just dismissed attendants giving updates about the progress of things for his upcoming wedding to the Crown princess of Ikojo his latest protectorate village. He smiled broadly as she approached. “Good morning, your highness. May the King live long. … Continue reading The Jewel of Ikojo – 2