Things the Flood Gave Us by Thompson Emate

Things the flood gave us,
Memories etched in us,
Soaking away the fortresses our hands strive to build,
Molting the silver linings that reflect our joy.

Things the flood gave us,
Memories recalcitrant to the healing stream,
Memories cocooned in our chambers,
Time hasn’t shut the doors.

Things the flood gave us,
Sojourn crafted into tales,
Children sit around elders in the twilight,
Tranquil ambience the nights,
As they go on a voyage.

Things the flood gave us,
Sorrow in our songs,
Dirge in our hymns,
Tribute to the lost.

Things the flood gave us,
How do we take off their cloaks?
When their aftermath shadows us,
Dimming our lamps’ lights.

Things the flood gave us,
Our souls seek respite,
We anticipate alleviating the burdens that have scarred us,
Even though they’re awake in our journals,
Even though they’re evergreen in our songs.

Thompson Emate is a graduate of the University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria. He spends his leisure time on creative writing, particularly poetry and prose. He has a deep love for nature and the arts. He lives in Lagos, Nigeria.