—for Professor Alofoje Unuigboje— by Majekodunmi Oseriemen Ebhohon The speaker has spoken.The points were clear.The slides, exhausted.We have clapped.Our heads noddedlike elders hearing a childrecite an oríkìthey thought lost to time. But beholda parrot climbs the stage,like a cockroach chasing claps. “Permit me to summarize…” Summarize what, exactly?What we just heard with our ears?With the same mouth God gave…
By Majekodunmi Oseriemen Ebhohon They say the country is hard. That pepper now trades like gold, That Naira sleeps in the ICU Jollof? On sabbatical. That even sachet water now needs a guarantor. But me? I laugh. Ha Ha Ha! I just laugh. I laugh at their stupidity. I laugh at their buffoonery. How can you tell me Nigeria…
By Majekodunmi Oseriemen Ebhohon They sold baby goat for ten naira, mother goat for thirty. My clever friend chose the cheaper one. “Ah! Ten naira is a steal,” he said, “Why pay for old meat?” But today, he has spent ninety naira in three-naira bits across thirty days, feeding this tiny bleating thief and still, no milk, no meat,…
By Majekodunmi Oseriemen Ebhohon When they asked me:“How did Methuselah live so long?”Nine hundred and sixty-nine moons,his back unbent,his bones unstressed. I replied:Because he didn’tmarry someonewho ask,“Why are you always calm?” Because his wife never said,“I just wanted to see if you would shout.” Because no one threw silent treatmentslike spears across supper. He never had to decodethe hidden…
—for Sarah Osawaru— By Majekodunmi Oseriemen Ebhohon Eh hen…You say I raised dustin the middle of a rainstorm?Then your eyes must be washing plateswhere your brain should be frying yam. I danced.Oooooh… yes, I danced.In the rain.With both legs.And joy in all my joints.Yet you say:“She is stirring trouble!” But let me ask you,Can a snail carry fire on…
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By Majekodunmi Oseriemen Ebhohon No one screamed.There was no time.They came like dusk slow, quiet, red-coal fury.The old man who could not runwas slaughtered mid-prayer.The child who knew nothingwas beheaded, as he called “Mama.”God posed like an ngbeke model as they tore the womb. Foetus and entrails gushed tabooing the earth against its will. We buried them songless.Not because we had no songs,but becauseour mouths…
(A Lament in the Tongue of Empire) Chorus (whispered, rising):Resign now, Traoré…You’ve done too much good. ⸻ VOICE OF THE WEST:Resign now, Traoré!You’ve upset the order!You’ve stirred the soup without our spoon! You—child of Sankara,nephew of Nkrumah,heir of the drum that dares to beat against silence! We sent aid in envelopeslined with fine print and trap doors—you returned it…
(A Poetic Declaration of the Institute of the Episterresurrecist Arts (IEA) Mother,I have changed my name!No longer shall I answerTo “Renaissance Remnant,”Or “Revival Seedling” of borrowed tongues. I am notA footnote in Europe’s chapter!I am notA festival puppet with Ankara skinDancing to Shakespeare’s tambourine! No!I am the drum they tried to muteWith white chalk and infested libraries!I am the…
(In the voice of a lamenting Prophet) Where are my sons in suits?Where are the daughters in wrappers of sorrow?Where are the women with wombs of pain,The men with dreams leaking through torn pockets? Where are the midnight wailers?The miracle seekers?The tithers of last kobo?The sowers of rent money? Where are the prayer requests? Ah!They have vanished like demons…
What happens when you challenge the establishment?…
The Great Delusion invites you into a…
—for Professor Alofoje Unuigboje— by Majekodunmi Oseriemen…
By Majekodunmi Oseriemen Ebhohon They say the…
