- Ọ̀dọ́jà The horticulturist says February is for flower Not for love, so I go into the field In search of plant I once dreamt of Until I find it, and touch and burn and soften under the fire pump of its flamy fingers, And not a metal can hold The frame of this body I call mine. February is for ballad not for lullabies She says, and so I go into the street Listening to the podcast of lovers singing Ballads to their men, giving them lilies as their eyes Dilate and there is enough road to go into Darkness of desire towards a place I call home. Even as I know much of what is called Plantery beauty is a world wearing carbon make up, Yet I learn a love poem with flowers in it is half-successful, An earth with a flower still has breath.
Salawu Olajide is a Nigerian poet and the Managing Editor of OlongoAfrica.