In the year 2060, my lover will be 63 years old
& we’ll hopefully continue to talk about loss & giggle.
At night, my version of Patrice Lumumba purchased on Amazon,
sits across from me quietly reading one of my poems.
I dress him like an astronaut and set the moon behind him…
large and white. I ask him why did you order the boat to turn back?
I thought they’d listen, he answers.
My son or daughter appears. A beam of light from the coffee table
because my grandson or granddaughter wants to say goodnight.
I wave. I smile. I might live forever.
Patrice asks why the word martyr is spelled the same in French and English
I don’t know, I say. I tell him that it originates from the old Greek word for witness.
But he knows this already. He’s quiet. I hear my lover’s body sink into our bed.
On the news
A new mineral is discovered in the place formally known as Kisangani.
I think about the Western freedom that is coming our way soon
Patrice says I never got to witness any of it. What happened outside the vat of acid?
I say you’re my hero. You’ve lived well. You’re no martyr
Loic Ekinga is a writer from the Democratic Republic of Congo. He is the author of the poetry collection How To Wake A Butterfly (Odyssey Books, 2021). His works of fiction and poetry have appeared in Agbowò, Tint Journal, Type/Cast Magazine, Salamander Ink, Ja. Magazine, Poetry Potion, Lolwe, A Long House, New Contrast, Brittle Paper and elsewhere. His experimental mini chapbook Twelve Things You Failed at As A Man Today was an honourable mention by JK Anowe for Praxis Magazine Online. In addition, his short story “Loop” has been adapted into a short film by Vivanation. He is a finalist of Poetry Africa’s Slam Jam competition, a Kasala writer and teacher, and A Best of the Net nominee.
