Butterflies and Flowers by Chidozie Okonkwo

It is where mama's pain met with mine,
That our salty tears melted into one ice.

It's detox from the love men have come to,
The kind of love the world has come to.

There are butterflies asleep in every belly,
That take flight when love sprouts in them.

Caution my child mama warned,
Lest they by violent swift, bruise your delicate flowers.

I wall defenses round my emotions,
Containing all my bastard shame from ill loves.

And a prize for the best of men,
Or for the new boy shinning miracles over my securities.

We now hold hands a bit longer,
I am a little careless about my badge of woes.

He becomes a tired poetry,
In sync with the shape my body makes on his sheet.

Butterflies have escaped my belly walls welting no flowers,
To give grace a double majesty.


Chidozie Okonkwo is a creative writer and performing artist. His works have previously appeared on Brittle Paper, The Lowdown Station, Eduquest,  Akuko, Trinitas, Judelucan, and elsewhere. He was educated at University of Nigeria Nsukka where he studied English and Literary Studies. You can find him on Instagram @pengod1.