Tony Cemaluk Egbuonu Poems

Nkea na amamu ahu jijijiji,
Ikedo mu na nmazi uzo di
n'okpulu ugbo mmili anyim,
...

PROMISE not pounded yam when you can't
pound pounded yam; worst, under oath,
when you can, but compromise instead to pound cocoyam.
...

Human being.
Male. Female.
Body. Soul.
Iron. Lead.
...

Force never succeeds. It fails.
It mimics, mirrors, mocks, and mourns.

It holds no water on the soul,
...

Very soon.
Soon. Very, very soon.
Restoration galore — sooner than soon.
Body, restored.
...

Surpassing is allowed.
Suppressing is not.
Depressing is not.
Debasing is not.
...

This week minus nine, a foetus;
This week plus three, a baby born to the brave and bold.

Succulent as a tendril, suckling and cuddling dearly, she grew.
...

Heart, like iron unsmelt, sadness smelt.
Another season around, present seasons present, packaged.
Acquaintance remembered, happiness as an avalanche,
Hope as rays flickered, atoning power of season, shortcomings blotted.
...

Meeting, together we warmed.
Morning until evening, not night,
For ardour, heavy, hopeful, and happy,
Watering our garden, together we watched.
...

He, out of me, completed me.

Compliments, my complement
...