Silence requires that you talk

we need more carpenters
less brick layers

laying mould upon mould
that would end up crumbling.

we need more fixes
and little or no new thing

we need plasters,
more nails, hammers.

silence means nothing
but agreeing or standing

on a fence, soon to collapse
either way, in the mud

is where you belong.
if there’s any need

for a long silence,
my tongue would rather lash

or better still
dust my shoes, and

take my leave. there’s
nothing a conversation will not solve.

Victor Oyedele