That child without a name behind his name, you shouldn’t have had him. I say to myself. You should have allowed him have a name, every child deserves that, deserves to know whom he or she belongs to. I tell myself for the hundredth time today that it’s not my fault. I remind myself of … Continue reading Skin Like Black Onyx
She told them to pick the time and the place. She didn’t mind―she didn’t care. Anything would be better than sitting in bed with a bowl of cereal with more tears than milk. It just hasn’t been her best week or day. Especially today. She thought back to the mother whose eyes were filled with … Continue reading Burning Smoke
Thirteen years ago, a circus came to town, and that was how I became the joke of the town. He followed it―him and his coarse hair, dirty and with filthy clothes. He saved me when I’d stumbled in the midst of a show. Everyone had laughed but he never smiled after all. I took him … Continue reading I’m Running Still
Welcome World I bring you, the first daughter of the earth She’s a little bit drunk today A little bit high everyday She picked up some dust and lost her way The sun did make her shine But that was until you took it away What do you think of her now? She makes no … Continue reading A Public Space
Wake up Let’s start for a second time Rewind to yesterday When sorrow was far away And my bones were stronger And today, it’s all over I have fought and fought it’s time I give it up Between you and I Between this sheets and I I’ve been borrowing air I’ve been asking the sand … Continue reading The Springtime Of Your Youth
Dear run-away friend, The journey began with us—two tiny souls. I was fifteen and you were thirteen, do you remember us? Our paths crossed when innocence was still innocent. I was that young senorita from El Paso Texas and you were that African girl from Nigeria; just two tenth graders with no plans but dreams. … Continue reading Peace, Hope, and a Cool Glass of Water
She wrapped herself in purple clovers while white petals poured down like rain and covered the cloud we were in. A flowered circlet on her head, she turned slowly and her long yellow-chiffon-maxi dress swayed along with her carefully formed hips. And she laughed—giggling sounds that erupted from deep within her never before free essence. … Continue reading Loving Her Quiet Away: Ufuoma Otebele
Once upon a time, you were so real to me but now, he doesn’t want me—at least not yet. Because I am a liar, a deceiver, a goat, a child. What would he do with a child like myself? I put this on me. I caused it all. My selfishness and low self-esteem finally got … Continue reading I Can’t Remember You
She was the main wife because she was the one he took to church. The others—they were his wife because he was a man who was in constant pursuit of happiness. My father met his first wife when he came to the city. He was fifteen years old; a man in search of a better … Continue reading A Man From Birth – A Short Story
Two days later, Pelumi went to see her mother. She didn’t understand why she had to go behind her husband’s back in order to see her own mother– his mother in-law. “Mama, I’m a house wife, what could be better?” she said, staring thoughtfully at the bowl of pepper-soup in front of her as her … Continue reading In Sickness & In Health (Preview)
“A thief has come” I am to die I came out screaming and kicking Threathening to expose the evil ways of my people They will shut me up I am a girl They want him He’s more precious than gold I am to give him even more precious stones And leave my father broke I … Continue reading “A Thief Has Come”
Imade heard the scattered voices behind the door. Her palms became sweaty and her forehead throbbed in pain. Her once plum lips badly bruised; a slight cut on her cheeks and her left eyes was left swollen. She tried to shift from her sitting position but the pain from her stomach stabbed at her. She … Continue reading King of Two Cities
“There you were, two months old, fussing and stretching in pain on the couch. Your skin was turning red and all I could do was cry.” “I ran to our neighbors for help but they turned me away. I don’t blame them, at that time everyone was managing and we still are.” “So how did … Continue reading When In Nigeria – Part 15
Standing at 5.8 feet tall; the ever beautiful, Pelumi Grace. Pelumi isn’t just any beautiful woman with some features to make a man crawl to her feet; she has everything. Make no mistake that ‘everything’ includes an exceptionally intelligent brain. Graced with a glowing dark, rich complexion, in fact, Pelumi was often bullied as a … Continue reading Let This Beauty Shine
I don’t know where to start. I didn’t know where it will all lead to. If I should cry till night falls back to day; that won’t bring him back. I knew he went for a good cause. I knew they needed him. An extra hand in the war was what our people needed. The … Continue reading The War Stole From Me