In the Beginning Was Darkness

Oluwatomi Olanrewaju

[content warning: suicide]

 

I have discerned darkness;

the addictive kind.

Now laughter is a religion,

I have no faith.

A sinister smile

rests on Ixtab’s lips,

her disciple’s head

will hang tonight.

 

Let there be darkness,

 

I envy them.

The ones who live

in ignorant bliss;

the many-faced god

hasn’t known their doorsteps,

yet, he lingers around mine,

which each soft knock

I am tempted to open.

 

my demons said,

 

My soul yearns

for the blue above.

If the books are true,

then fiery red awaits.

Only then will I miss

the green of the earth,

but for now, I’m content

with the grey

that clouds my eyes.

 

and there was darkness.

 

 

***

Olanrewaju Oluwatomi is an undergraduate of The University of Lagos. She was a 2016 finalist for the National Travel Essay Competition and is a part time writer/ poet. She plays her guitar in her spare time and is currently based in Lagos, Nigeria.