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THERE’S A GHOST IN THE MIRROR | a poem by Olafisoye-Oragbade Oluwatosin David

Read Time:2 Minute, 6 Second
i. 
they said i'd learn who i am,
learn the secrets heaven hid in me,
if my body is a poem from God, 
maybe I can read the lyrics when I see my reflection.

ii.
the stories i see scare me.
a ghost in the mirror -
he wears my face,
but paints an image of broken bodies buried.

iii.
i am what i see,
or, i have become what i saw,
a plaque for many fallen to fear,
my insecurities leaving there and renting a house in my flesh.

iv.
a roaring sea, 
a deafening earthquake,
a still small voice,
i am Elijah again, without the meal from the gods.

v.
a hashtag here,
a “woke” comment there,
i like, i stan, i share,
i’m lost in the talk, i’m nowhere.

vi.
i carry a face of different colours,
like a rainbow did my makeup,
or a mirage,
cause i disappear when asked,
"who are you?"

vii.
i can't sound an answer to "what's your name?"
cause how do i choose one and leave the other,
like, "I'm a feminist with a touch of masculinism" 
like when a Priest plays devil to a young lad.


viii.
maybe, i echo the loudest voice,
or i happen in time, 
the sound of now,
the sound of today.

ix.
i would learn,
a book of me knows me better,
when i become today's yesterday,
a story to be read,
a life already lived, when i come to the end,
to know who I am.

x.
the epilogue.
there's a ghost in the mirror,
who today is,
and tomorrow is gone,
who would only live preserved in tongues too restless to sleep,
or a book,
or a wall,
if he lives well enough.
But who he really is,
only time can say for sure.

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