Once upon a time in the city of Jos.

Water clot in my neck…is…/thick knot of tears for Danladi’s mother…

….whose dust filled screams echo in blue black night…long after they both died …ten seconds apart…/ “who will milk the goats tomorrow morning Danladi if you die today…/who will bring Baba’s kunu Danladi…if you die today…/who will wash pebbles at the well with Sundiata… Danladi if you die today.../who will….”

…he could smell her fear…Danladi could…the putrid scent of her shit…her very bowels sending up supplication to the marauders from hell… as she begged for the fire to fall on him first…so…her son would not see her burn…/he could still hear crunch of his father’s skull unfamiliar with the heel of an intruder’s boot…/proud silent death without a word of complaint…

he could still hear…./ “who will take Hajja-mama to the mosque Danladi…if you die today…/how will you go to school Danladi…if you die today…./who will carry Baba’s name Danladi…if you die today…/all life will change Danladi…nothing will be the same Danladi…if you die today….”

I release tears that join the rush of the Benue....let us meet the Niger at Lokoja…and pray at this eternal binding knot of earth and water…for the souls …of all the sons of this our Plateau. 

call to kill a king

Look at us…caught in our own nets.../powerless marionettes…slaves to the rot we bore that now…feeds the sores in our own souls…/how can we exclaim at the salacious words we spoke into our own existence…how can we…deceive our own children…/we beneficiaries of our father’s victories…we have turned from our inheritance…/gifted it to our pallbearers…who now carry righteous spirit of our ancestors as charred refrain of their death songs…. /we rail at the nonchalance of our leaders…/leaking gourd of our fountain head…/oozing suppuration of a false…rotten imagery…close to his death…./what is this we are crying for!!!...../natural order of things is handing us deliverance from…misguided selection…/corroded semblance of a structure once proud….now run aground.../let us realize the possibility within grasp of all who have the slightest will and reach.../and catch a new dream…/leave behind the wastrel heirs of these past years…/find a way to kill this imposter…/and crown a king that this generation can adore.

shutter release: part une

each day gives..greater gift of time

i have called key to my release away from your hands
and by God... i do declare that i feel free
i am ...emptied of image of my face next to yours
this aimless chase
has ended in what it would only
ever have brought...
death to whatever truth is in my soul
death to brave expression of limitless sensation
death to the call of seemless possibility
life of wonder is in my power to safekeep
and i have locked it away in a place
your darkness can never reach

each day you grow even more unnecessary.

Funsho

it is in these quiet pockets of sweetness/when you...draw me inside circle under your chin that i...remember why i keep you close...you.../lover of my soul...you... peace keeper.../you garnish my...darkest thoughts with...slivers of your.../sweet affection...you/bring to resurrection.../image of how your brown ribbed palm covers...nape of my neck...and them some.../whiskers caress my ear as whispers fill the air...and you/tell me how you adore me.../and through haze of morbid wondering.../through phase of sharp rebirth...you remind me again...to remember to love.../as hard as you love me.../to breathe life to my own breast....to...marshal senses that bring me to place of my senseless passion.../call my pleasure to attention.../to remember you....and how your love is better than life.

...i remember you.

when i grow up

and i speak with... resolute profoundness that belies my years.../what is this sound that has made me glad.../
i am inside waterfall hidden cavern../thundering pillar of power thrusts me into womb carved by the finger of God.../hound dogs are dead.../pursued only by my desire to hear laughter at my funeral.../fireworks at my passing.../charitable memories of me.../the child i touched...the daughter i delivered.../the laughter i wrought.../oh to be bringer of love to a hut full of hurt and bad knowledge.../i want to murder the marauders of childhood virtue.../mad longing for saving grace for the world...drives me on.../like the waves from this here cave..../strong.../i embrace my desire to be great.

let's

new footsteps
new dawn clouds
new fingerprints
tight drawstrings
mountain side car rides
new taste...new race..that ripe new love..on new face
bold dance...consistent partner...my honest soldier...your true heart
come august/new town...
locked in your mind...red wine...dark cafe
never so far from last darkness as i am now
just ahead
welcome.

herald

i am
spirit roused to song
confession seat
i have heard the hurt of saints
i am
beginnings of masterpiece in black and white
deep secret contours...burst of blue light
i am
obatala's head peice
carved out for greatness...ageless
i am
olodumare's vessel of life
one endless orgasm...one and only wife
i am
foolish in love...quick to forgive
master of my heart...captain of my fleet
i am
servant of the Life Giver
soldier for the sinner
born of a Prince...now daughter of the King

come and see these things that make me strong
am i not true child of my father.