Issue 4
By Ugwu Kingsley Ikenna
Black Petals
Years blew by
Like the harmattan mist
When the beats of our hearts
Settled like fogs on dark petals
Yearning to be unfurled
By the whispers of fate
Fortuity drifted us apart
Like pages torn from same heartbook
Each spun by the whirlwind of Kansas
Like constellations of the universe
Eclipsed by serene accident
Life folded us in its breath
When our hearts flowered
And we basked in chalk-dust afternoons
Amid rustling papers and sunlit desks
Ink blurring with memories of yesteryears
Your face still bears the echo
Of those schoolyard afternoons
Laughter tucked between lessons
With smiles like sunkissed flowers
And secrets shared between bells
Your smile still knows me
But your fingers wear another story
Tales of paths I never walked beside you
Where is the love
That your voice promised me
Ugwu Kingsley Ikenna: Ugwu Kingsley Ikenna is a Nigerian of Igbo descent in his early twenties. Although trained as a medic, Kingsley has a deep passion for the arts, particularly African literature. His environment has played a significant role in shaping his artistic perspective. He is also a contributor on Spillwords press, Zoetic Press and Eterna journal. For Kingsley, writing is a channel to captivate, educate and enlighten.