Response to Fiyinfoluwa Oladipo’s “Dusk”

will you?

because the wind
wears a different face
the evening is trudging
tired of leaving light
to guide you back
but
will you return?
the night is not used
to seeing your face
Oga madame
has sang the insects
and the kids to sleep
by this time in April
May already knows my routine:
wide-eyed owl
drowned
in palpitations
like a lady-in-waiting
time stares at me
and i ask him:
will you ever return?

leonell echa