by Cynthia Yatchman
Baptism
I said to Rabiu follow this poem closely
like the moment you trace the lines on
your father’s palm when you are a child
with no atom of grief. I said to him
follow this poem like you follow the
muezzin’s call of prayer to the mosque
with your saturate body. Let it wash
the grievous memories stitch on your
skin like cicatrices when you survive the
war. Let it wash the moments that had
refuse to wilt in your mind. Let it be the
reason for smile to tuck a rippling on
your cheek. Let it be a new flower you
will smell its petals to know life’s still
good. Let it be a new moon cracking
open a new song of joy out of your torso.
Let it-at least, this poem is supposed to be a
hopeful one. I said to him, follow these
young boys to the stream to cascade all
the dust of yesterday still clinging to your
body.
Olayioye Paul Bamidele is a writer from Nigeria and a student of mass communication. His works have appeared or forthcoming in Spillword, Lunaris, Artlounge, Afreecan, Ice Floe, Feral, Kissing Dynamite, Kreative Diadem and elsewhere. You can reach him on WhatsApp (+234)8162573107 and Facebook: https//facebook.com/paulolayioye/ .
Cynthia Yatchman is a Seattle based artist and art instructor. A former ceramicist, she received her B.F.A. in painting (UW). She switched from 3D to 2D and has remained there ever since. She works primarily on paintings, prints and collages. Her art is housed in numerous public and private collections. She has exhibited on both coasts, extensively in the Northwest, including shows at Seattle University, SPU, Shoreline Community College, the Tacoma and Seattle Convention Centers and the Pacific Science Center. She is a member of the Seattle Print Art Association and COCA (Center of Contemporary Art). Instagram: Cynthia Yatchman Art.