(After Hassan Taiwo)
for my brother, Ariyo Sodiq
Bodies wrinkled into the hands of time, flung into different paths like the dispersal of birds at the throw of small stones / we became flowers that outgrew the vase in our mother’s womb / & distance is a gluttonous bird devouring into us. time cannot alter the feelings I have for you, you are like a glinting shadow that never get handicapped of my angelic body / myriad thoughts of you have become planted in the soil of my heart, / & memories of you keep growing like flowers / love has ways to dominate our mind // oh brothers! I sketch you into these poems to alleviate my chances of loving you / time travelled but we are here in the same room we were, when you left, conversing with our mother about your last departure from home, beloved brother, we want to see you alive, and not your dead body returned in a coffin.
Ariyo Ahmad Akanni
is a Nigerian poet from Ogun state, Nigeria. He has poems published and forthcoming on Kissing Dynamite, Sledgehammer, Icefloe press, Brittle Paper, Native skin lit magazine, Kalahari review, Rigorous, African Writers, and numerous other platforms. He got a honorable mention in the Fitrah review contest poetry category (2021). He was shortlisted for the Brigitte Poetry Contest June/ July. He is the Poetry editor for Fiery Scribe Review. Find him on Twitter @ahmad_akanni.
