DAGGERS

1/5/2021

By Roseline Mgbodichinma Anya Okorie

Stress warning: The following contains material relating to mental health struggles and trauma in no particular order, which may be triggering to victims and survivors

I bite my lip
till I can taste copper

My teeth are tiny fences
barricading my throat,
Stopping liquid from
flowing into my gullet

I never knew
I could form a graveyard in my mouth,
That I could speak
with my tongue buried in questions

              If time heals all wounds
Why does grief have a bitter aftertaste?

                  The only special thing
about razors is the ability
to draw patterns on skin,
Lines & puzzles gleaming in red

              I don't think loss can be forgotten,
It turns into black & blends with the gum
It resurfaces when it's time to speak about love

I bite into flesh, digging for answers
I tease my body with daggers
                        & cleanse it with spirit

I will sew my mouth
I will suck on my teeth

                 Anybody can be swallowed
Anybody can be bone in the gullet -
Poking the ears for an escape

Anybody can survive this,
                             Except me

5 Comments

Joy link

5/5/2021 10:04:37 am

I can almost guess that this was written by a male but I'd have good enough sense to check the authors name again.

It was quite dark and vivid, the kind where you read and plead the blood. Talking about blood and the taste of it, the author made excellent connections with the elements of grief, suffering and finding a way out even if it's through the power of sound through a restricted mouth.

Very well written. Cheers.

Ayodeji Adetokunbo

8/5/2021 11:43:41 am

Can it be more real? The pain shown in this context is vivid and strong. Nice write-up

Halee link

27/5/2021 01:49:19 pm

The imagery is everything for me really

Chioma Azubuike

31/5/2021 04:54:19 pm

One thing I know about poets and poetry is one's ability to give your poem a soul, and Roseline did just that. I could feel the intensity of the pain and grief.
Her use of words are exceptional. Her abiluab to express this elements of loss and pain and it's aftermath- the taste of blood, the plight of one going through an unspoken phase of pain. I felt it all.

This is one good poem. I love!

Alexandra link

1/6/2021 02:13:27 am

I love the poet's message and how real it was presented. Its a job well-done.

DAGGERS

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Copyright @SprinNG

DAGGERS

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Copyright @SprinNG​

Copyright @SprinNG