You forcefully open the double doors to your room to see your reflection in the large spotless mirror staring at you, as you try to avoid the Master. Your image kills the mustard seed of hope you have been trying to nurture – your eyes exhausted from too many tears. Your lips are chapped, and the glory of your skin is in the past - your beautiful skin as your mother would remark. You wonder if it’s because of its fairness or the hairless sight of it, or the chubby feeling when touched. And then you reckon the eyes of your mother are not yours. Your beauty lies in your freedom, you think to yourself. You affirm that you don’t belong here, not in this castle with grey walls, lofty ceilings, and heavy brown curtains. Not viewing ancient paintings of wars. Not on a bed for a crowd and certainly not wearing these expensive clothes too pure to smear. You recall the first day of your arrival at your new home. You were greeted by a servant who avoided your eyes as he bowed his head and sai...
VULTURES IN THE CITY "I heard you saw one recently. Did you testify such just to make us cautious or what? We bury our dead here and it is not a carnivorous environment either so what are you saying?" "I am not saying anything new. Yes this is the city but would you say you are not familiar with the dropping of abled bodied men lately? Have you not heard and perceived odors in the wee hours of the morning when you are struggling to get to work. Yesterday did we not witness the body of one Omeri lying helpless from the brutal cuttings of brutal ritualists? Or that of our friend Zezi who never made it to church. It is a year after and no one has seen or heard from him. So, my friend, there are vultures in the city now. We all know where to go to find what to eat so the new jollof rice for vultures is here." "Well, I will not totally agree with you because I have not seen any. Until then, I believe we are safe. At least this jungle is not filled with hun...