WHOSE FAULT? (i) (Electioneering) Whose fault is it? That the ballot papers drank too much and over slept That some of them grew legs and took a long stroll That the voting queue grew cold and empty That the polling officers were hungry and accepted ‘kola’ That there are more thumbs for the umbrella That … Continue reading Poems from Gardens and Caves – WHOSE FAULT 1 – 4
Just when you thought of moving, your feet grew cold and stiff. You had the will, but the means said no, distorting your focus. Those voices didn’t help. Voices telling you to sit and stare. Those whispers held you spellbound; telling you: “you can’t” “wait a little more” “you’re too old” “forget it” “you were … Continue reading Setting Forth
i Onitsha We shut out serenity. A town yodeling by itself, Making rounds in business circles. Host to Ejike and Somto, Tough minds of street acumen. Meet the famous cowry depository In exchange for all you can think. Guests weave through crevice, Lest the kidnapper’s drops would pelt ii Lagos My Atlantic helm of wonder. … Continue reading Three Voices
FUNERALS OF HOPE In these funerals, we see through these streams Of tears, amidst trembling lips and truncated faith But, yes, we are still hopeful. Dark feelings, as intricate as a billion knots As abstract as an ocean’s journey to a well. And oh yes! Hope remains our name A giant metal bird missed her … Continue reading Two Poems In Memory Of The Victims Of Dana Air Crash
Wasn’t he foolish? Captain Carlos’ first and last move: to plough the sea. To straighten the sea waves in plumbed manner. An Architect’s Masterpiece was his intention. Tools on deck; tape, chords and all He set out to his dream. Swinging back and forth, he became his own victim As angry waves grew and leaped. … Continue reading Measuring Waves
HER Ovaries are fighting Now, a war of two cities Bloodbath in-between BIRTH Labour “Laws” come tough Constrictions at intervals Baby cries, both sleeps BODY The architects failed Angelo could not draw this… This accurate piece.
Joy and laughter herald my coming Drums roll, waists twist, muscles ripple In mad celebration as I enter the world again. I know these faces. That’s Auntie Chioma. She’ll sprinkle holy water on me for the fourteenth time Father frets and consults; A tragic mix of gods. But none can make me overstay my fourteenth … Continue reading Fourteenth Step
(For Stephanie) I know her wish. But, not her heart. Her rare possession: a mastery of the ageless art. Art ruled by pans and ovens, mixing and kneading. And kids shuffling and waiting on whetted appetite, While stencils shape flour dreams and pink cards. ‘Tis a wedding cake today. She sees beyond The oven’s … Continue reading A Baker’s Wish
(for Ken Saro Wiwa) My keen cry to Kenule: I, Fubara, of disjointed Fishnet and gaping boat, from the land of kernel Back feeling and staggering heritage. Of gasping fish and de-flowered flowers, Of frowning waters and stunted stalks. I sit on a lonely log; One of the few remaining. I write on a Dutchman’s … Continue reading Saro Wiwa’s Waiting War
Just when we thought The carnival was over We heard stomps throughout That made warriors quiver *** The khaki boys ploughed and ripped fort Tearing down all that peace could render Gigantic loots. None questioned or fought For if you did, your sojourn would be over *** Atrocities tough as iron wrought Our plight did … Continue reading Army Arrangement
Didn’t we just say it? Predictable antique on a constant loop. There you are, Making tickling turns. Pro-cyclic rings of little rest. *** Again, if we ask, please don’t tell. The sun plays your role; unending natural timepiece Slow to burn or lie in faulty sequence. *** We just noticed, You’ve been on, … Continue reading This Clock
The drops seemed a few All it touched came new But how shallow a man’s mind To bear this rain’s own mind *** Soon a few drops tripled Almost like a mindless ripple Suddenly nature seemed unkind And submerged toils of every kind *** Here, landowners richly accrue Each building for afterlife’s use Pelting followed … Continue reading Purple Rain
Thin twin of unsolicited trail Perpetual copycat of my every move With skin of no texture, feel or gleam Your lips rattle but no audible conversation Sometimes I feel we could talk But a wasted effort that would be. In loneliness you sit with me But loneliness wears a new look And never cease to … Continue reading To My Shadow
(For Japan) Listen, can you feel death’s breath- Beneath these rubbles? If you can, feel Once more the cold feet of Takashi and Kitasata Taking rude steps over your sunken breasts.
The sun smiled with intense pride, a very hot afternoon. Outside, a hen basked on the carpet grass, together with two of her seven chicks. I think she was teaching them something. And they seemed to enjoy the weather. I picked up a broken mirror from the dressing table; one of the pieces from my … Continue reading Entwined (1)