"Epiphany" by Samuel A. Adeyemi

I am still capable of the things I have not become,
a beautiful son with jeweled eyes, my faux beard 
blossomed, filling my cheeks. It is not so difficult 
to envision grace. To execute is the predicament.
Each night before I sleep, I lend my mirror an eye.
I pray to the glass, let it transcribe me into the boy 
I desire by morning. & of course, it does not hear.
All my gods wear their deafness as idiosyncrasy.
& I am the same songless bird, partitioned from
miracle. But at least, I'm pragmatic with this tiny
jar of hope. My fingers, shredded proof of clawing 
towards light. I will kiss the soft welt & continue 
interrogating my bliss. O nirvana. Prophesy to me. 
Let this be the beginning of my glorious ascent. Let 
me pick up a thing with teeth & not see a vision of 
my blood. Do not allow every shadow I touch 
whittle me into its bride. 

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​Samuel A. Adeyemi is a young writer from Nigeria. His poems have appeared or are forthcoming in Palette Poetry, Frontier Poetry, 580 Split, Leavings Lit Mag, Kissing Dynamite, The Shore, The Rising Phoenix Review, Afro Literary Magazine, Jalada, and elsewhere. When he is not writing, he enjoys watching anime and listening to a variety of music. You may reach him on Twitter and Instagram @samuelpoetry