Dear lover,

Now that the earth has opened up her bowel to have you for dinner,
I expect your haunting ,

Tell me what to do with your bones ?
Should they rise up and walk again 
Tell me, Are you afraid of the dark?

Do you alternate & walk backwards searching for the light?, 
your two hands, ready to block the fist of the devil from mapping your face like you did mine?,

Should I wear your teeth as confetti? 
Should I borrow your navel for a Belt? 

Your belt swift as lightning, always too fast, too in a hurry to leave it’s position to strike
Usain Bolt, is that you?

Beg you permission please, let me use your scrotum for a bar, 
you were always beating the life out of me, 

Excuse me, 
I hear four pipers piping on my losses,
Four children lost from your fist, 
Bruce Lee, is that you?

five bruises capping on my knees 
sixth eyes grazing through thick darkness, 
Seven summers mourning our daughters
Eight maids are milking from my sadness
Nine bartenders attending my drinking 
Ten paid mourners mourning on your funeral 
Eleven, my heart is rejoicing,
Twelve, I will come caroling at your funeral.

Ejiro Elizabeth Edward is a passionate lover of the arts. She is the convener of Benin Arts and Book Festival; A literary event that aims to promote the arts within Benin City, Nigeria. She is also the winner of several awards across the literary field. She is the editor of Malimbe Magazine; an Inflight magazine that covers local airlines within Nigeria. She also works for Ouida Publishing Firm. She is the recipient of the Pearl Hogrefe Fellowship Award and is pursing a Master’s program at Iowa state university. She has an infinite desire to impact lives through the Art.