Soyinka On My Feet Going Somewhere Opting For Isolation Poem by RIC BASTASA

'When I first came out -
I spoke just now about this need for human company,
but after I first came out,
I remember that after a few days
I just couldn't stand so much company.
It became too much again for me
and I couldn't wait until
I could go away
and isolate myself somewhere.'

did i not talk about
my wish to have wings
and be with you
sitting on a tree
and be with all of
you in the field of
ripe rice grains?

did i not think after
that i need to be
alone and wish
that i have fins
to be in the silence
of the depths
of the sea?

did i not wish at the
end that i have always
wanted simply to be
a stone to be thrown
to the face of another
person?

did i not wish simpy
to be under a handful
of stars without
any syllable in my tongue?