Geraldine, we should visit the beach often
I believe mama’s ghost lives in the current
of the wind __ it gallops across the ripples
like a boneless nymph,
The sea washes her off shore and sweeps her
back in immediately __ as she comes
out silently searching
for us in the mud houses we built along the shores,
maybe she is angry we visit less frequent __ her caramel
coral tooth doesn’t sit ashore anymore waiting to drive
this pain on my cheeks.
I see her, I know you don’t
If only she had bones __ she could have anchor
on those rocks to make you see her, too,
but I think she gifted me alone this moment
‘cause I still bear her sadness in my bones.
Ozota Gerald Obinna
writes from a small town in Enugu, Nigeria. He studies Pharmacy at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. He has been charged for over-ambition several times, and so whenever he is not clogged up with academic activities, he scribbles out few lines that mean much to him. He was long-listed for the 2020 Nigeria Student Poetry Prize. His works have featured in Kalahari Review, Rising Phoenix Review, Nanty Green, Grand-Little-Things, Praxis magazine and other notable magazines and journals. He seeks to view and change the world through his writings.
Cover photo image: Tosin Taiwo
6 comments
So beautiful, so bloody beautiful. Jisike Gerald
So beautiful, so bloody beautiful. Jisike Obinna
Forever in our hearts🔮
Such depths from a person in the sciences goes to show that poetry is a thing of the soul and that any alert and sensitive mind can wield the shield. We will be cheering as you lead Gerald.
Great wit has nothing to do with one’s discipline…it is a question of how far your soul can stretch for a drink!
your words are fabulous… I must say, you are a great writer and enjoy very much your pieces…this is raw and gets the message across.
Please know that you have such talent and your words not only touch me, but so many here–keep writing, expressing and touching our souls.
I really like the flow here the transition from one imagery to the imagery while maintaining the same flow requires a certain degree of finesse. Excellently executed piece.