The Shallow Tales Review
  • Fiction
  • Essays
  • Poetry
  • One-Acts
    • Interviews
  • Arts & Photography
  • Issues
  • Best of a Shallow Year (Editors’ Pick)
    • Reading Shallow Tales
  • About
    • Submissions
    • Masthead

Archives

  • June 2025
  • February 2025
  • January 2025
  • December 2024
  • November 2024
  • June 2024
  • January 2024
  • December 2023
  • November 2023
  • June 2023
  • January 2023
  • November 2022
  • June 2022
  • April 2022
  • February 2022
  • January 2022
  • November 2021
  • September 2021
  • July 2021
  • May 2021
  • April 2021
  • March 2021
  • February 2021
  • January 2021
  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • September 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020

Categories

  • All Categories
  • Arts & Photography
  • Essays
  • Fiction
  • Interviews
  • Issues
  • One-Acts
  • Poetry
  • Reading Shallow Tales
The Shallow Tales Review
  • Fiction
  • Essays
  • Poetry
  • One-Acts
    • Interviews
  • Arts & Photography
  • Issues
  • Best of a Shallow Year (Editors’ Pick)
    • Reading Shallow Tales
  • About
    • Submissions
    • Masthead
  • Poetry

Enigma

  • January 30, 2021
  • theshallowtales
Total
0
Shares
0
0
0
Credit: Ene Ochayi
https://theshallowtalesreview.com.ng/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Enigma.mp3

the sun gently touched my skin
under the canopy of sycamore.
at the tweaking of bamboo trees,
the moon opened my eyes to stories;

of a crippled man
on the top ladder of life

of a kind woman caught
between sweet teeth of sorrow

of a sturdy warrior
killed by an ant

of a mighty labourer
without bread on his table

of countless living deads;
ghosts walking on the streets

of unseen beings without veins
ruling over blood and flesh

of unspoken words
louder than a moving train

of a chronic sinner
preaching repentance to saints

of a grade-one lunatic
selling cure for madness

of a blind man
leading a troop to battle

of a pregnancy
aborted at hot noon

of a giant star
set at midday

of a war won not
by weapons, but praise

of children older
than their parents.

the world is like a bat
it turns upside down
at the call of sunlight.


STEPHEN OLADAYO OLADOKUN

was born into the family of late Pa and late Mrs James Oladokun in Igbeti, Oyo State, Nigeria. In 2017, he obtained a BA (Ed) in English at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria. His works have featured in Afribary, Queenview Magazine, Unite Magazine, The Pine Arts Review, Creative and Criticism Journal, INNSAEI Journal Issues 1, 3 & 4 and Fae Dreams Anthology. He has written and directed several playlets: Petals and Gardeners, The Master’s Song, Gift, and Education in this Generation. He is a member of Hill top Arts Creative Foundation, Minna, Niger State, Nigeria. He is on Facebook as Oracle’s Voice, and on Instagram as Oracle Voice.

Total
0
Shares
Share 0
Tweet 0
Pin it 0
theshallowtales

Previous Article
  • Poetry

Black Nights

  • January 30, 2021
  • theshallowtales
View Post
Next Article
  • Poetry

Pangs of Motherhood

  • January 30, 2021
  • theshallowtales
View Post
You May Also Like
View Post
  • Poetry

Three Poems | Aishat Yahkub

  • theshallowtales
  • June 30, 2025
View Post
  • Poetry

Two Poems | Mohamed Mahou

  • theshallowtales
  • June 30, 2025
View Post
  • Poetry

Five Weeks in Bwari | Olabimpe Adedamola

  • theshallowtales
  • June 30, 2025
View Post
  • Poetry

Three Poems | Christian Emecheta

  • theshallowtales
  • June 30, 2025
View Post
  • Poetry

Anti-Matter | Anthony Ikeh

  • theshallowtales
  • June 30, 2025
View Post
  • Poetry

Amen | John Chinaka Onyeche

  • theshallowtales
  • June 30, 2025
View Post
  • Poetry

The Aftermath | Abraham Kedong Ali

  • theshallowtales
  • June 30, 2025
View Post
  • Poetry

Three Poems | Ber Anena

  • theshallowtales
  • January 30, 2025

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  • About
  • Donate
  • Masthead
  • Submit
  • Contact
Social Links
© 2025 The Shallow Tales Review. All rights reserved. The website as well as contributors holds the copyright to the works published on The Shallow Tales Review. Content appearing on the website should not be reproduced in any form or republished without prior written consent and approval from the magazine. Violation of this will be deemed criminal and attract due to legal prosecution.
The Shallow Tales Review
A journal documenting the African and black experience in short stories, poetry, one-acts, interviews, art and photography

Input your search keywords and press Enter.