Prompt 5: What I Tell Them
I tell them ‘I’m fine’,
So they don’t see the trail of mascara carried away by strong currents of tears.
I tell them ‘I’m happy’,
So they do not see the deep-seated sadness eroding my heart.
I tell them ‘it’s okay’,
Even when they’ve hurt me skin deep till their words slice through my bone marrow.
I tell them tomorrow is another day,
Even when it’s a day I hope will never be born, and today will become forever.
Or never.
I don’t know anymore.
I tell them ‘I’ll be alright’,
Because I don’t have a choice.
-Mfon Etuk, 2020
Prompt 6: A Gentle Voice
I heard your voice today,
Ever so faintly,
Carried by the slow breeze of harmattan.
I heard your soft voice,
Like cotton candy that can be felt, and even tasted.
I heard your gentle voice,
A contrast to the raging storms in my head.
I heard your gentle voice,
And suddenly, all my fears were lost.
-Mfon Etuk, 2020
Prompt 7: Forgiving You
I hope tomorrow morning when you wake up, you learn to forgive yourself for the wrongs you did. I hope you find the reason to believe again. I hope you trust in that special someone who wants to stick with you through the rollercoaster. I hope tomorrow morning when you wake up, you learn to believe in love.
-Mfon Etuk, 2020
Prompt 8: Silent Screams
She rolled over to the cold side of her bed,
But this time it was warm,
His heavy breathing rhymed with the sound of the night,
She knew he wasn’t hers to keep,
And she knew in the morning he would be gone,
But just for that moment,
She was content to be in his arms,
Where her silent screams were muted,
Even if it was just for a night.
-Mfon Etuk, 2020
Prompt 9: Breath by Breath
Heavy. On my neck. Your breath lingers.
Of roasted coffee beans, and mahogany woods, I feel you.
Heavy on my neck, breath by breath.
-Mfon Etuk, 2020
Prompt 10: Outside the Circle
Let the sun hide her face from me,
Let the darkness wrap it’s cold arms around me,
Let me be lost in my dreams,
Let me not wake up to reality.
Outside the circle of life,
May I find the freedom to be me.
-Mfon Etuk, 2020
Prompt 11: Leave a Message
Dear best friend,
Days are long,
Nights are endless,
Distance edges,
Time rages,
Yet in my heart-
Caveat you remain tucked in,
Why don’t you leave me a message?
Tell me your hopes and dreams,
Take me on a tour of the dark parts of your mind,
Walk me through your web of thoughts,
Write to me. Write for me.
Tell me everything!
The good, the bad, and the ugly,
Why don’t you leave me a message…
-Mfon Etuk, 2020
The phone rang. Again.
And just like the previous times, no response.
He wondered as he paced. His heart racing as beads of sweat formed on his face
It was supposed to be just one more evening with the boys
He looked into his screen again and fell in a heap of sadness
She’d sent him images of that evening. He’d told himself it was a moment of weakness but she knew better; It was madness
Her scent still lingered in the air and her screams still echoed in the room
She walked out as he ran in, hoping to save them
It has been weeks now since then
She should leave a message at least, he thought to himself
But it was clear; the message itself had been delivered, and he knew it.
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This is so beautiful! I hope more women have the courage to walk away from abusive relationships. Thanks for sharing, Ivan.
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Beautiful dear. Keep being you!
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