Reintroduction

Divorce

we parted, we met
we parted, we met
we parted, we met

we melted in memories.

On the street of becoming

In the beginning it was a stroll; a walk from self-tangle
and
with eyes twined in lies inflamed in truth
I trod
in truth that is nothing but lies believed

On the street, I saw that, which broke my voice to bits
for the things my eyes hoped for
were troubles and sack of slacks
yet I loved and hated the path
upon which my fate trudged

On the street, my thoughts diverged, I hurried after air
I said to myself with breezy belief
‘my legs have not taken me this far to get lost,’
this street must lead me to some:
--thing
--place
--where...

The street of becoming, fears me into a fit of unknowing panic
this street that should make me tremble, fears me
this street where women shed brains and picked hearts
and
though I’m unsure who’ll walk this path with me
my fear consumes itself, turning desire into fluster.

(c) Jumoke Verissimo

Jumoke Verissimo is the author of i am memory (DADA Books), winner of the 2009 Carlos Idzia Ahmad Prize for a first book of Poetry, Second Prize 2009 Anthony Agbo Prize for Poetry and an Honourable Mention in the ANA/Flora Nwapa Prize for women writing. Some of her poems were recently translated and published in Japanese, Arabic and Macedonian. Verissimo has participated in several poetry reading and festivals.

These two poems are from the poetry collection she’s presently working on.