Written by Pelumi Tobun

When they say, ‘all you need in life is doggedness,’
and you stand awe-struck, wondering what that is,
it is because you haven’t been hit by the vehicle of life.

In my country, demons shapeshift at dawn & hunt men
like memories to their grave, they screech like night owl,
and spread venoms within fake smiles.

In my home, a sorceress hovers,
it is either my father’s thoughts speaking to him,
or mother’s spatula breaking the dreaded peace,

it is either brother appears drenched in dirt at the doorway
with foggy eyes & billboards of himself,
or our neighbor’s rich daughter’s cologne finding its way into our yard,

it is either sister’s car horning at the driveway,
or our landlord’s son humble strident
in a drunken state.

Mother once said, “life is a race, only a man headstrong will survive,
the vehicle of life comes in different forms,
hunting men until they yield to its submission.”