Life’s Daunting Stare
Sometimes, life’s malicious stare can be daunting
And grievous—
Taking away our joy.
The hollow graves in our heart champion its mischief
By stirring pain’s slumber.
My neighbor lost his life saving an angel
From the fiery darts of fire.
Anguish painted my sullen face
As his remains settled in the black bag.
But then life has its beautiful minions and progeny—
People with breathtaking smiles and reassuring nods.
I saw the angel today, hoisting effervescence
On her tiny legs. She looked sweet, living the essence
Of my neighbor’s sacrifice.
Realization dawned on my soul—
Out of life’s morbid gazes, glimmers sparkle,
Filled with love and joy unspeakable.
In the dark skies, we draw lucky stars,
Dotting the canvas with our light.
Now, rainfall and sunshine bless our harvest
Of harmonies with abundance.
Home As A Symbol Of Nostalgia
Saturday, I was at home.
Hugged all the piquant sensations.
The moth-eaten table stood beautiful.
Antiques and vases of old looked bright.
Home was a circus—
A replay of 2005 and 2007.
The rusty cassette breezed broken tracks.
Film noirs echoed through thin walls.
Impressions hanged off jagged doors.
Ardent tributes escaped the forgotten garderobe.
Souvenirs of yesterday sympathised with me.
Yesterday I was at home,
And I felt at home.
Ewurama Tawiah Welbeck is a Ghanaian creative writer and English Language teacher, who uses poetry and prose to explore beauty, hope, faith, loss and familial bond. She finds existential meaning through amusement, tragedy, and strength. An alumnus of SprinNG Writing Fellowship, some of her works appear in Writer’s Space Africa, Penned in Rage Literary Journal and ArtisansQuill. She writes from Accra, Ghana. Her instagram handle is ewurama.welbeck.
Cover photo credit: Takeshi Arai