Poems for the Persecuted
1.
after
scouring
the back
of his tongue
in search
of some sort
of peace offering
i lose
memory
of the man
violently
kissing the cry
from my throat
for just a moment.
I imagine
the moans
skydiving
from blackened
bedroom walls
are the Kurdish
carols of
two dozen
Yazidi girls.
they are
draped in
gold,
and
yellow.
they only
retire
choruses
at dawn
as to
not
compete
with the sun.
they are
certainly not
victims stolen
from the baked
bread of mothers
presence.
certainly,
not
chained to beds
of murderous men.
No.
they are
1,000 lifetimes
away, already.
ransomed by
Faithful.
glorified
by goodness
and
mercy
and if ever
I should be
free
I will
take with me
their song
remember & sing
all the days
of my life.
2.
wouldn't I give anything
HALLELUJAH
my womb my skin
to find Maiduguri on my fingers
how many breaths must I bargain to dream of exams, the market
HALLELUJAH
find my mother there
Aleema wrapped her back
like boiled yam
I am and I am not
276
247
219
bring back
Chibok
hashtag.
while subsequent "global outrage"
tip toes across your lips
like nervous children,
I am not dead.
I am
missing..
my father
and brother
and sisters
as my mother
prays her eyes
a red Kaduna sun.
HALLELUJAH - Amen.
- for Muwa, Saratu, Ramati, Mariama, Ruth, Naomi,
and the others.
#bringbackourgirls
3.
"A little while" [Imagining Jesus]
I sit a thousand
years go down
in the evening,
after mourners throat
has carried in a day
world regrets to know.
I clothe crying children
in brilliance of white spun
from loss & grace gained.
when darkness is opaque
it is because I have come
to be seen by them alone.
say not that God forsakes
the suffering if murder tucks
them into sleep mothers mourn,
know, I gave each my body
before accepting their own.
They shall be renewed
new
new.
When the number
is complete.
and will rise
to reign with me
in a little while
#WePersevere inspired by the work of K.A. Ellis.