Before The Janaiza

By Odu Ode

1

my thumbnails

are exhausted. carrying

a wanderer for too long.

 

let the wanderer wander no more.

quietude. silence – go to the masjid.

your sister is here to bid silence.

 

2

with right hand stretched out

collecting hand-fan’s air

 

– do not overburden

the wandering.

the body is garnished.

let the wanderer invade.

now is the time. the time has come.

 

3

dear son, i am not dying  –

she whispered

i am transmuting.

throw supplications towards our lord in odd hours.

i am not leaving you

she muttered

your sister will catch my shy soul

 

4

recollecting me

in the whirlpool –

a bird will sing.

do not howl. you’re not wolf.

you’re a man. my son –

 

the voice echoing in my head during rukuh during sujud during takbeers

 

5

i’d sprinkle air. sprinkle air –

on the feet of your brother.

he will return. (smile).

do you not want his return?

do you not?

i want to see nana –

call your dad –

 

6

as i escape my body

i watch you escape yours,

dear son. collect yourself from the wind.

what we feel is not for sale

to escape our bodies is to enjoy the voyage.

for now, do not escape yourself when i do

i will always visit to tell you things

 

Odu Ode is a Nigerian poet who explore nature, travels and love; both the love that mend and the love that breaks. He is a fellow of The Imodoye Writers Residency and an award winning poet.