1

writing a book

thinking of what

to cook

aiming two birds

an eyepatched man

— Christina Chin/Uchechukwu Onyedikam

2

a bit 

of a kick 

sweet and sour 

sauce on fried 

catfish

— Uchechukwu Onyedikam/Christina Chin

3

condiments 

on a pink tilapia 

steamer tray

the hot steam

swirls

— Christina Chin/Uchechukwu Onyedikam

iPRAY

I think of this everyday 

of smile & beauty that

projects the free caresses of divinity; swaying my thoughts left to right — 

back & forth as i once pushed it to the digital wind to help me transport

my prayers to you. 

In the dark quiet time 

when I set sail my inner wounded child 

to the current of time… 

I see collection of your image — 

noticing your face breaks in smile welcoming me to your forbidden 

Throne of Grace.

I try smashing through these walls

raised with bricks & iron bars 

to reach you and relay thoughts 

of undoings but reality…

stacks up its odds against me 

with certainty of false affection to come. 

— Uchechukwu Onyedikam

HIGHER-SELF

Thrown underfoot… pressure of

footfall from heavy steel boots

my heart laps on the edge

of kindliness

Sitting there absorbing different

scene from precious moments

lost in the latter time I fell off

of the reason to remain in

this shipwreck

My higher self has risen, broken free

from mortal consciousness of pity

and ego, of arrogance and lustful pride

of spite and hate, of jealousy and envy

of give and take, of here and there

The sleeves of the universe

unfolded clarity this morning that I now

recognize in the shadows — nurturing

in my soul the cherry that bloomed in

the dark: oh, behold the spirited soul!

could you body it? 

— Uchechukwu Onyedikam