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In: Anthology

Cacti in a Beautiful Woman’s House – Segun Agbaje

For N

 

I

This is built of a random joke

In which my name is misnamed but we love

And here I am, all things and a bit more.

A bit of spines, a bit of laughs, a bit of confused moments

And all of love.

 

If I were a plant that could sit still, in

Facing sunshine on your window lintel

Watch you smile and laugh as the screen blares images

Of a family far different from what we have known.

I know there are moments in which love like dew flutters

Down from the heaven, to give us that sweet memory

Of water, of hope, of spring. How even with

A body that cannot be grasped without bleeding we are loved.

 

As plants go, I would place myself in a vase and send me to you

Green and steady, for sunshine and loving

And if I grow, to be bigger and more endearing

Incapable of being overlooked or forgotten

I want to remind you of the hills and the butterflies

Of a garden of roses in bloom

Of your home

Of every memory of sweetness

Of every shade of love.

 

II

To be a god of small things

To break every yoke canvassing for my oblivion

And to love.

 

I want to be tender, always, with you

To be a cool walk on the steps of a train station,

Sun shades and mirrors reflecting new memories

And smiles; Hope is a seed for the heart,

We can take in our palms

Hold to our mouths and swallow.

 

I want a condition to bloom out of me,

That I witness the sunset and my mind

Finds peace in you, in my dreams, in

The toil of my hands. I want salvation

Like your laughter, like water pouring

Over me, like your eyes, brown seas

That pull me too deep, your patience

The anchor keeping me afloat.

 

The most tender part of my soul

Dwells on simple actions, makes memories

Of things that reek of déjà vu;

I know I haven’t met this moment,

And still all the same I know you, when

You hand me the ice-cream.

 

When I drive in silence and you recline

The seat, I am thinking of nothing,

Demanding no more from life

Than this moment with you.


Segun Agbaje is a half-Igbo, half-Yoruba writer, photographer and economist. He was born and raised in Lagos, where he currently lives. He still believes in Nigeria, and the existence of the good man, and the dignified toil.