The Illusion is Shattered; What Next?

I’m conducting an experiment that’s making me uncomfortable and forcing me to mentally fight against all of the conscious and unconscious biases that have been thrown at me all my life. Biases based on my race, gender, economic status and identity as an African. A little backstory: this all started when I painfully accepted a…

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It’s Another Day

She's spiralling again. And yes, she's entirely still Her body is in one position, while her mind goes a mile a minute She hears them call themselves stupid and tears fill her eyes as she turns towards the demeaning voices, and with the most profound conviction says, 'never, never call yourself stupid!' She explains how…

Let’s Pretend

Let's pretend the sun will rise tomorrow Let's pretend we're content Let's pretend winter will end and spring will come Let's pretend we're happy * Let's pretend the clouds will eventually move away Let's pretend we love getting up in the morning Let's pretend because we all pretend Let's pretend you pretend and I do…

My Name Is Ọrẹ

My name is Ọrẹ and no, I do not shorten it to make you comfortable I certainly do not shorten it to make it easier to pronounce And I most certainly do not shorten it because I hate the full form I could introduce myself as a dozen things and I have 4 different legal…

The Secret That Can’t Be Told

There's a secret that can't be told. Sounds silly, I know. Why would it be a secret if it could be told, you may wonder. But I'm serious, this secret can't be told. Ever. Never. Like wind brushing through tree branches, like a hearty laugh on sea waves, like you, like me There are things…

Don’t Grow Up

Round eyes peeked from behind the fence; taking in the green expanse kilometres away, and beyond the setting sun, dazzling city lights. 'I want to go there, mama.' The tiny voice exhaled a wistful sigh. 'I want to get there and experience all there is. I want to go beyond this fence.' 'You have all…

Where Is Mine?

I am not a nomad That's too fancy a word to describe me It will be a dishonour to true nomads to call myself that But still, I drift, homeless with a roof over my head Questions of who I am and why I am pouring in at every waking moment From here to there…

Be Still

Be still racing thoughts, wild mind Going over the past scenario won't change the results Banging your head and hurling hurtful words won't change how you feel Instead, be still and take it in What's happened, has happened; all gone What will happen, can change; you can try So be still racing thoughts, wild mind…

Are We There Yet? – 365

Picture this, a pair of eyes peeking out into the sunshine from behind blackout curtains and the following words bouncing in the air like bubbles... Are we there yet? A child is born and once they start preschool, no matter what age that is, their lives begin to revolve around waking up, going somewhere to…

Never Enough – A Short Story

Soft laughter filled the night sky, rolling through the tree branches as shadows danced in the cloudless night. Little feet patted this way and that, little voices trailing behind. All seemed calm and serene. No one could tell what was coming. *** Straightening after tucking the long end of her shoelace into her shoe, Ladi…