Written By: Praise Osawaru
Praise Osawaru’s poem provokes strong emotions. He writes about how boundaries stand in the way of genuine concerns for siblings. How often we have to burn our tongues, swallowing the truth because we do not want to hurt those close to us. We are pleased to share this warm piece with you. Sit back and enjoy the read!
you overhear your sister’s conversation with her man
like the clouds listen to the trees swaying in the wind.
don’t you freaking hang up on me!
your sister leases her phone to the trash can
& sits before a mirror & asks you to assist her to loosen her hair.
she doesn’t say a word, but her look authors
a trilogy recounting gloom & lassitude.
you help her untangle her braids
& you wish she would unknot her heart from the leech.
he sucks the stars from her eyes
& writes her into a dark & moonless sky.
you want to take her phone & yell:
man. what the hell is wrong with you?
how can you have a gem & not treasure it?
you want to rewrite her story into a Jenny Han novel.
you recall the last time you spoke to her about him,
it was like trying to wrench the sun eastward.
mind your own freaking business!
you gulp all the things you can’t say
like an ocean capsizes a ship.
instead, you say: how come your hair smells so nice?
Praise Osawaru is a Nigerian writer, (performance) poet, & wannabe entrepreneur studying at the University of Benin, Nigeria. His works have appeared in African Writer, Kreative Diadem, Ngiga Review, Perhappened Magazine, Praxis Magazine & elsewhere. He was longlisted for African Writers Award 2019 & shortlisted in the 2019 Kreative Diadem Creative Writing Contest. When he isn’t over-worrying about life, he’s reading or binge-watching. Say hello on Instagram/Twitter: @wordsmithpraise
Image by: Pexels.com
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A Review of Pamilerin Jacob's Gospels of Depression
Reading a great review of a book is like dipping one’s feet in a pool to test for the depth and coldness of the water before a refreshing afternoon swim. Victor Zechariah Achi’s Review of Gospels of Depression, a poetry chapbook written by Pamilerin Jacob is not an exception. He begins with a brilliant summary of the book and finishes off by recommending the book for mental health enthusiasts and everyone. Impressively, a download link to a free copy of the book is also included.
– Editorial Team
A Review of Gospels of Depression Written by Pamilerin Jacob - EBOquills
eboquills.com
Reading a great review of a book is like dipping one's feet in a pool to test for the depth and coldness of the water before a refreshing afternoon swim. Victor Zechariah Achi's Review of Gospels of Depression, a poetry chapbook by Pamilerin Jacob is not an exception.
Trapped in the poem, "How we Spell Home", are many stories of insurgency and violence that the victims did not get a chance to tell before they were eternally silenced. @OgwijiEhi takes the time to tell them in lines and in verses:
https://eboquills.com/2019/09/27/how-we-spell-home/
#poetry #EndSarsNow
Those #writers who win and get loads of accolades are careful to give luck as many slots as possible. We want to ensure that you are one of them. So, here's a list of free to enter #writing contests in October: https://eboquills.com/2020/10/03/free-to-enter-writing-contests-in-october/
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Nice one Wordsmith
One thing I like about your write ups is it’s simplicity…. keep it up Man
Thanks a lot man. Glad you enjoyed reading the poem.
Wow!!😍
It spoke and interpreted a lot that is so realistic.
Keep on breaking bounds my brother.