LOVERS IN GWOZA

timidly shaking as legs find air from the shackles,
in its unending stir for water

to pummel the cymbals in this winding mouth.
the thirst of this soul, is the thirst for roses on rocky linings

she’s a view from the mountains,
a trembling portrait on a brick cathedral.
quickening in a thousand places i lay soothing words on her table, as i serve a pat as
dessert
forming warm words

all i hear is a name
a resurging whisper in this head
khali, khali, please don’t go

stay by me, she beckons
i held it closely to my heart

kissing it with these very lips,
for once, a smile is birthed, as with a baby’s crackle
i love her, as i love this.
we shall build for this a dome.

—-
(Gwoza is a town in Borno State in Nigeria)
——————

PEACEFUL TEARS

i was there
i saw it all
my tears flowed endlessly
it was so peaceful
he turned and asked me
these flowers are beautiful?

i glanced at the vase
all i saw was his gloomy face
the sad innocent looks
saying, ‘stay, here with me!’

all
i
saw
was
Godori
alone
in a casket.
he dropped the vase on the casket
and
walked away solemnly.
——————
Poems © Titilayo Adeoye
Image: Pixabay.com