Poetry
In a lonely city searching for Walt Whitman and Chris Abani – Abigail George
(for Virgil) There are things I don’t tell anyone. I blamed the sunlight Secrets I keep to myself I was young once Ezra Pound’s Alba tell the truth. I go down to the sea There are things to forget I found a kind, my kind A temple that I could worship, destination paradise We’re somewhere…
Two Decay Poems – Abigail George
After birth, what did she feel?I think Diane Arbus just took pictures of herselfHer own alienationDid she ever experience isolation?Loneliness, yes, loneliness?Did it devour herlike it devours me?What did she hunger for?What did she want to leave behind?As a woman, was she ever really loved by a man?Was the strange hypnotic beauty that she found…
Mother Tongue – Abigail George
You lie You cheat There are maps of open sores on your face that refuse to heal They’re as red as an ambulance They’re like a pot of rice left too long on the stove that threatens to boil over And then boils over Your wounds, brother, have become my own I encourage you I…
Just keep quiet, dry your tears and eat the fishcake – Abigail George
I hear my mother’s voice from a happier time Perhaps childhood The tears started in childhood I would cry over everything My brother has used drugs Every single day for the past twenty years Just keep quiet, Abigail Keep the peace Don’t start the Third World War Just keep quiet Your father has cancer Your…
Let’s Go! – Adewale Sobowale
Machines of industryMust be made greasyBy the labourOf poor vapour-Emitting third worlders,While the ordersAre being enjoyed,Their ladies being toyedWith by their shylockRulers, who should hemlockHave taken. But forPeople lacking in force.Chase the bastards!E le awon alakora!Let them know,That we knowWhy they are cheating,While we’re bleeding. @ as 072718
Weeping Frogs! – Adewale Sobowale
Is it not a wonder,Raining without thunder?Vultures are gathered,Season of the reaper! Frogs aren’t croaking,Lions not roaring!Frogs are rather weeping,With lions crying! Due to rat-a-tat-tat!Of the extra largeEnvelope of cowry,We took as bribery! What we’d sownHad become grown,To an Ajantala,We hardly matter! Ah- a colonel!Then- a dan sanda!They were wasted,As we grunted! We just are…