Tongue-Shield Poem by Sola Ajibogere

words okro-draw on my
insensitive skin
serpentine-slick slaying tongues
waging at my imperfection
side stepping medieval crabs' claws
proteroglyphic kisses to my jugular
my skin sir,
mongoosic, fang-repelling—
bouncing hide on bembe drum
eliciting
dance steps of swaying sages
happy sages
drunkard-staggering happy swag
at my thickening skin,
words. do I care?