The priest stood solemnly at the altar blowing words
Into the air – words that were meant to soothe any
Troubled water. I sat and watched the letters break
Off from each word and they were headed directly,
Like an arrow, to the centre of my soul. Hymns flooded
My ears with melodies screaming holy, sowed me in an
Epiphany as choristers parcel out songs that iniquities
Surrender to. My journey of faith was mountainous; affixed
With intermittent doses of straying off like a stubborn sheep.
Life avalanched enticing-Godforsaken-vanities. Faith became
A dead force. I fed slowly on the remains of jumbled peace.
One dull evening, a light shone down my path as I swallowed
Easing words of the scriptures. Faith renewed, I climbed lofty
Heights. I mirrored my life and blew off doubt as chaff. His love,
Like a boomerang, returned to me. I was like a puzzle, yet it fixed
Me back together. This journey of faith – a journey of the soul –
Moulded me into an instrument for warfare. Heartfelt praises have
Been stuck in my throat and today, I spit them out generously.
Igbokwe Roseline is a Nigerian medical student who enjoys creative writing. She hails from Igbere in Bende LGA, Abia State. She has works published in the Moveee, Kalahari Review, Brittle Paper Festive Anthology, Icreatives Review, Stripes Literary Magazine, Arkore Arts, Poetik Africa Magazine, Shuzia Anthology, World Voices Magazine, Arts Lounge, Eboquills, Stethoscopes And Pens, Pawners Papers, Ma Keke, Writers Space Africa, Ta Adesa, Conscio Magazine, Afrihill Press, ABSUMSA Pulse Magazine, CMDA ABSUTH Healing Balm Newsletter, EOPP anthology and many other anthologies. She was shortlisted for the Labari Prize for poetry, BKPW prize, EOPP, Shuzia prize; longlisted (twice) for the Wakaso Poetry Prize for Female, Idumaese Alao Prize For Literature, TeamBooktu Poetry Prize, DKA Annual Poetry Prize; winner of the Poetree IWD Spoken Word Contest, and Challenging The Writers writing contests. Apart from being a writer, she is a graphic designer, health volunteer, performance poet and public speaking enthusiast. Roseline’s on Instagram @igbokweroses and X @IgbokweEzinne