WHEN I WAIT

When I wait, I wait for you
When I go, I go to you
When I stand, I stand with you
What are you?

When I live, I live in you
When I die, I die because of you
When I work, I work for you
Who are you?

When I remember, I remember you
When I dream, I dream of you
When I long, I long for you
When are you?

Why are you so present?
Why are you so absent?
Why are you so prescient?
Why are you?

Che Chidi Chukwumerije
Poems from the inner river

DON’T

There is a slitherer
Snaking without fear
For he owns your urges

Like thirst owns the night
Like Guilt owns sight
Like frustrations delight owning

Like we argued about seeking distance
And about seeking closeness
And said I don’t fucking care

Just so we would not say
I love you, you are mine
Don’t sleep with him, don’t sleep with her, Baby.

– Che Chidi Chukwumerije.

SPACE

Distance
Brought me closer to you than
Romance
Ever did or ever could

Distance
Is more intimate than nearness
Substance
Needs space to come together

Distance
Is at the heart of our closeness
Long live the resistance
That makes the current of love flow.

– CHE CHIDI CHUKWUMERIJE.