A Sketch of Lost Things
on a slow voyage to bliss, my thirsty boat cuts
many mouths open to drink water.
then, my mind quickly draws the sight of drowning
& of liquid demons pirating my boat.
so, I leave the sailing & the thirsty boat &
look for a way to mend the water.
first, I toss my fish out—the one I looked forward
to catching since my childhood days.
next, I dispose my oars—the two nice companions
that undo the charm of time for my destination.
yet, the boat drinks & is tilting.
now, I hurl myself to the sea, thinking
this will stop the water from sinking me & my boat.
but then, I remember. it is the boat that leaks!
& this is how I lose everything without losing the sea.
many mouths open to drink water.
then, my mind quickly draws the sight of drowning
& of liquid demons pirating my boat.
so, I leave the sailing & the thirsty boat &
look for a way to mend the water.
first, I toss my fish out—the one I looked forward
to catching since my childhood days.
next, I dispose my oars—the two nice companions
that undo the charm of time for my destination.
yet, the boat drinks & is tilting.
now, I hurl myself to the sea, thinking
this will stop the water from sinking me & my boat.
but then, I remember. it is the boat that leaks!
& this is how I lose everything without losing the sea.
BIO:
Olusoji Obebe is an emerging poet, essayist and fiction writer. His essays have made the longlists of the Sixth Chinua Achebe Poetry/Essay Anthology and the Libretto African Anthology Prize 2022. His works are featured in Fiery Scribe Review, Terror House Magazine, Lumiere Review, etc.
Tweet @olusoji_obebe
Olusoji Obebe is an emerging poet, essayist and fiction writer. His essays have made the longlists of the Sixth Chinua Achebe Poetry/Essay Anthology and the Libretto African Anthology Prize 2022. His works are featured in Fiery Scribe Review, Terror House Magazine, Lumiere Review, etc.
Tweet @olusoji_obebe
