Some Verses of Wisdom, & Tonight I Shall Cry My Soul to Peace

SOME VERSES OF WISDOM

After reading Mary Oliver

Some random days,

I just sit out there

in the balcony,

watching the trees

and listening

to the birds chirping,

whistling some verses

of wisdom

to my admiration.

I could imagine them saying:

‘From time to time,

it is ideal to take

forced breathers-

to unburden oneself,

to breathe and smile,

to reflect and think,

not about the memories

of the past-

retreats, defeats, victories

but about some of

the simplest things in life-

meditation, love,

self-care, freedom

and peace of mind.’

TONIGHT, I SHALL CRY MY SOUL TO PEACE

tonight, i shall cry

my turgid heart to freedom

through the stillness & peace

of darkness

each suppressed tear— a thug

of haunting grief

freaking out my spirit,

my being

tonight, i shall cry

my burdened shoulders to relief

each string of tears— a leash

tugging my body, my life

& tonight

& any other night,

i shall cry my drenched soul

to peace

to drain this flood

before i drown

‘cause i am not a machine

but a normal being.

Mohammed Yusuf-Unyomo

is a Nigerian poet, writer and lover of real human stories. His poetry, inspired by everyday life experiences, attempts to speak to and for anyone whose shade of story is captured in his thoughts and writings. Some of his works have appeared or forthcoming in MAH Magazine, New Horizon Creatives and Covid-19 World Poetry Anthology of Bulkybon Publications. When he is not reading or writing, he loves to indulge in healthy conversations or listen to the radio.

Cover image credit: Doyin Deji