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IF WISDOM HAD A SMELL (A POEM)

If wisdom had a smell It would smell of old books Passed down from generation to generation Revealing the truths about the enigma called time. The truths which cannot be purchased Even by the highest bidder. That smell that unveils the arduous work of writers Known and unknown. That smell that reveals family trees of readers Seen and unseen. That smell that conquers ignorance Once knowledge is sought. If wisdom had a smell It would smell like an old, well-read copy of Uncle Tom's Cabin Revealing the evil behind the thoughts and actions of slavery. That smell that encompasses sacrifice. That smell that brings words and characters to life. That smell that raises positive movements that will In time, save humankind. If wisdom had a smell It would smell of old wrappers Worn by mothers and even fathers, Instinctively used to wipe the tears Of their children away, Used with love to cover them from the rain or sun. Oh, the smell of that long piece of fabric With drawings of horses, stars,...
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THE MEET UP

 



THE MEET UP

“I dreamt I missed the rapture,” he said to me. “There are terrible things I have been thinking of lately and I know that is the reason why.”

 

I asked what terrible thoughts have been dancing to the disco in  his head and he answered, after arranging his thoughts properly so that God will not send an angel to whoop his mouth, “YOU. Please do not say anything. Let me speak my mind as quickly as possible because I might never confess this to you. I want you to be my wife. However, I know God will not accept you because you are of the world; you put on trousers, makeup, you attend parties and dance to corrupt music. These are the only obstacles to us being together in holy matrimony. You have to turn to God so he can save you and we will both make heaven together.”

I recalled when we used to play in secondary school. Lawrence was the people’s guy that stepped into the room and everyone went woahh. He did not think of rapture then but rapport. He did not mind trousers but liked hanging out with beautiful girls from other classes. He would play football and hug anyone close to him once he scored a goal. There was always this light in his eyes that no sad words could put out. Until his mother appeared in school one afternoon, taking Lawrence away to only God knows where. I did not see nor hear from him until ten years later.

We were mature beings. He said to me when we met, after arranging this grand meeting for weeks: “I got your contact from an old classmate and I just want to tell you that I never forgot you.” He evaded every question hitting on why his mother took him away and where he had been all the while. But we had heard a long time ago that his father died and they could no longer afford his school fees. We also heard that they lived in a church where ghosts and demons were always tormenting their members. I let the sleeping dog sleep since I had no bone to offer it.

As he spoke about the past years, I searched for that light but all I saw were struggling eyes that had starved and prayed and battled and doubted crawling cockroaches, flying birds, banana trees, and every other sign of witchcraft. I saw how scared he was of the future and restless of the present.

“I thought of marrying Lawrence, not you. I am sorry you see me as a child of the world but hey, I am not dead so where else should I be? I hear your mother is in an asylum after hitting her head on the wall while praying for her village people to quench. I do not want you to end up like her. If you love God, you would know he does not like how you have depreciated all in His name. I know He sent you not on such an errand. Please, let Him be the judge and lead you. I hope you find your angel from heaven who you can marry with God’s blessings. As for me, I will find another Lawrence with sparkling eyes and our heaven will start here on earth.”

He said he would pray for me as I was but a child lacking the knowledge of the spiritual world. We departed.

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