till that big hug stands by​

Issue 15

there was never a tale of air
that waned into the gyre
because of carbons,
only the lungs called it a wrap
and watch the souls they harbor
go heavenwards
 
there was never a story of seas
tucking in water for droughts
to reclaim the land, only
channels are absent to filter water
to thirsty deserts and arid villages
 
there was never a myth
of clouds failing to cry in a year,
only seasons of smiles on the face
of a sun to dry up the tears of angels
during the massive purge of rain
 
there would never be a reason
to stop ticking with the heartbeat
of time, only moments of rest
to recharge the little left of us
to carry on, to keep knocking
on these multiple doors
 
until there is one door that opens
with arms wide open, like
god waiting to give us a hug
for all the hitch, the steadfastness,
the long suffering, the pace.

---

Tukur Ridwan writes from Nigeria, using poetry to explore existential frenzies and tragedies. His works appear in Kelp Journal, Pensive Journal, The Kalahari Review, and elsewhere. He authored A Boy's Tears on Earth's Tongue (Authorpedia, 2019), and The Forgiveness Series (Ghost City Press, 2022).

---