Manifestation
I walk around with a limp smile,
lost in the heart of a haze.
Fortitude has been dead
longer than Lazarus
I moan to the wind—sos
to a god shawled in a storm,
who knows weather by name
but wouldn’t chide the tides.
In Gethsemane, distraught
& alone with bleeding faith,
I resign to the father’s will
& thank him for each dawn.
Though gratitude tastes like chaff
or a stray stone in a plate of grace,
I will pray Psalms & sing metaphors
—profess joy into manifestation.
Hourglass
The demon I fight holds me,
like a puppy, on a leash.
Grabs me by the collar,
as you would a debtor.
I hold on to a wish
& esoteric sentiments
I grope for hope in a vacuum,
grapple for metaphors
on the tongue of silence.
But no one can
anchor the hour.
Destiny is a vintage coin.
Head of cot, tail of grave.
Heart treads with caution
on the edge of miracles
—I stand on one leg
on the ledge of time,
sparring with mercy.
I stumble on the lips
of seasons—joy is
as salty as misery
in a tale of tears.
Corner Piece
I reserve the corner
piece of my heart
for you.
Water view from upstairs,
rooftop swimming pool,
private pier, cruise boat…
The things we treasure
are susceptible to
wind.
This love is
vulnerable to nightly
songs of shore,
prone to predatory elements
like storms & pirates
& desertion.
Foursome
Come to me
in three folds, the way
all good things come.
Come to bed, touch me
with fingers crisp as mint,
feed me with gold kisses
—supper of milk, steak & wine.
Come to me with warmth
of light, wealth of water
& affluence of air.
Come to me as answers
to morning prayer—
owó, ọmọ, àlááfià.
Jide Badmus is a poet inspired by beauty and destruction. He believes that things in ruin were once beautiful. He explores themes around sensuality and healing. He is an engineer by training and in love with the theme of beauty and destruction.
He is an author of 4 poetry books (and 6 chapbooks) including What Do I Call My Love for Your Body (Roaring Lion Newcastle, 2022). Founder of INKspiredng, Poetry Editor for Con-scio Magazine, mentor in the SprinNG Fellowship, and member, board of advisors for Libretto Magazine.
