Matthew Blaise
Twist
When I learnt to ground my knees on crust
My brother said,
“Mama happy die”
Because it took me so long
To understand what my knees were meant for.
When I learnt to form words,
With heavy spittle in my mouth and sand,
My sister brought to my heart
How dark clouds would form in my mother’s eyes
Until heavy raindrop washed their traces away.
“What took you so long?”
Now I can trace the way back home;
I can also call my ancestors when I’m lost.
But I still don’t understand
Why I have to crawl
And hold so much spittle and sand in my mouth
Because I want my mother to know
I love men.
Matthew Blaise is a poet who dreams of butterflies, and writes to emancipate himself through poetry. When he isn’t arguing with bigots on Facebook, his mind wanders through the universe in search of beauty and meaning. He’s been published in print and online, and currently resides in Lagos.
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Here is today’s prompt
(optional as always)
Today’s poem does not mention HIV, but it addresses the stigma of gayness that remains throughout the world today and is often connected with the stigma of HIV. Write a poem addressing stigma, gay-related, HIV-related, or otherwise, doing your best to keep the focus on the 2010s.
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