Celestial: A monologue with God at the threshold of His presence
by Chinedu Gospel
Anambra, Nigeria
after Chiwenite Onyekwelu
I am wandering in the wilderness of my wounds / searching for miracle / Lord! / you made the Scarlet Macaw with rainbow ribbons / & you stacked her mouth with a birdful of healing / bird me a bird / sing me a song / turn me into a silent string / so that I may violin through this night / without the fetters of pains in my limbs / Lord! / you have made fire in the image of your rage / & have named it the sun in motion / toss me into that fire & burn my grief / not as incense per se / collect the smoke & make for me / a cloud where I will come to repose / like the sun at rest in the sky / because I know that up there gravity loses its grasp / & every body in motion stays at rest / except the rain / Lord! / bath me with holy water / let the stars dissolve & fall upon my skin / so that I may shine through this night like a firefly / & still have enough light to burn the air tomorrow / Lord! / nightly / I lay bare on an altar made of unwrought stones / slice me into citrus-like halves / & undo my bones from the thwack of these thorns / Lord! / I lay bare in your hands / clothe me in thick animal furs / cotton shawls / wrap me with a miracle / hoof my legs with speed / so I can outrun the darts of a wicked one / glove my hands with oil / let me touch grief & turn it to joy / & Lord! / as I Adam through the garden of healing / sow Jasmines in my throat / let me kneel beneath your feet / & mouth you fragrant praises /
Chinedu Gospel
Chinedu Gospel is a Nigerian poet. His works have appeared or are forthcoming on Fahmidan, The Rising Phoenix Review, African Writer, Praxis Magazine, Eboquills and elsewhere. When he's not writing, he listens to variety of inspirational songs. Say Hi @gospel79070806