The way guilt appears// in every bead I wear// makes me
think// that the world mistakes me// as a goddess
of things// that suffocate with longing.
The tongue I cut-off// when I raid the blackbirds//
flying inside me// re-grew to a bigger one// now
choking the peace// I re-formed years back.
I fear my body// might no longer recognize
me// if I cut my tongue again// & I can't lose him//
because// my head—his Genesis—// library the heirloom
my ancestors left behind.
I learn to channel wa-zo-bia// to a summoner of sea animal//
to swim away worrisome lines// of this poem.
Zaynab Bobi, from Bobi, Niger State, is a Nigerian writer and photographer. She is a finalist of the Voice of Peace anthology. She is the treasurer of Hilltop Creative Art, Abuja branch. Her works are published and forthcoming in Kalahari Review, Blue Marble Review, Sledgehammer Lit, PraxisMag, WRR, Anti-Heroin Chic, Barren Magazine, Typehouse Literary Magazine, Rigorous, Acropolis Journal, AMPLIFY, Olit, The Shallow Tales Review, among others.
