Death
written by: Nyashadzashe Chikumbu
@NyashaChikumbu1
death is not a flock of blue jays
& it’s not a mould of black mud
death is not the strong smell of iron hitting grass, no!
death is not a field of wildflowers
nor the hurrying of feet
& shedding of tears by air-locked strangers
death is the strong smell of your cologne
hugging our sheets
death is the rattling of your laughter
in the kitchen sink
death are the tiny little feet of your daughter
who’ll grow without her father
death is the cold lonely feeling
creeping into bed with me
impersonating you
Nyashadzashe Chikumbu is a poet, editor & book reviewer. He's the editor of the forth coming poetry anthology: Sketches of Urban Strife: New Age African Poetry (Mystery Books, 2020). He sat on the panel of judges for the 2018 African Writers award. He serves as the editorial director of Mystery Publishers.
