ARMED ROBBER

The bullet leapt
Wept the barrel with
Sorrow’s silent shriek protesting
The bullet’s hunger

Feeding the
Blood bank’s Belly, saving
Not life, but your account
Of – what? – your life?

Countless Cowries
Bagged in bloated
Human hide
Yet not enough to buy back

Recompense.

– Che Chidi Chukwumerije

TAKE ME

Yes I’m a thief
I steal your heart
And you love it

And everytime I return it to you
You weep bitterly
And beg me to rob you again.

Beg harder.

– Che Chidi Chukwumerije.