By Sybil Fekurumoh
Bow towards a holy land
Weep on the walls of a holy city
Let blood on a sacred ground
Pin a staff by the riverbank
Let’s pray
I have found a spot in a crumbling fortress
I made an altar on Mount Vulcan
Let’s pray
Make it fervent, make it calm
Make it subtle, make it fire
Give me freedom, keep me bound
Give me chaos, give me salvation
Call me child, then make me the enemy
Tie me down with a banner of peace
Cuff me in chains and tell me “damnation!”
When I seek
Show me a path called mystery
When I ask
Give me a potshed to ease my inquisition
Almighty, All-being
Divided amongst men
Each brings a portion and calls it only
Each shows a part and calls it true
I am the just
Your fate is Babylon
Let’s pray
That when I see, I would be lost
That when I’m lost, I would be free
That when I’m free, I would be found
Sybil Fekurumoh is a poet and creative writer from Nigeria. She currently writes for Afrocritik media as a lifestyle and culture writer.
This is such a great piece.
I love the part where it read “I have found a spot in a crumbling fortress
I made an altar on Mount Vulcan.” It reminds me so much of things I’ll like to keep to me. Beautiful piece of art Sybil. Thanks
“Almighty, All-being
Divided amongst men
Each brings a portion and calls it only
Each shows a part and calls it true”
Sybil Fekurumoh filed the blunt truth.
Ye and Amen.