THE FOLLOWING POEM WAS SELECTED IN WINGWORD POETRY PRIZE 2023 LONGLIST.
Belief grew in my uterus,
until it ballooned
for months and months
to deliver the harvest
I wanted.
The cycle continued.
Belief grew deeper
like a tree growing;
its roots in me.
From the thinnest strand
of hair atop,
to the the tiniest
twig of the foot imprints.
A construction so solid;
foundation strong,
for the house of life
I always wanted to live in.
Underneath it lay
the crushed fears
conquered demons,
venomous snakes
and squashed vermin.
I watered it everyday,
like a mustard tree growing
into a majestic tree,
Underneath it,
I sat,
in the shadow,
in peace, in light.
A smile from within
adorned my face.
I saw a butterfly
fluttering away,
from the coccoon
hanging from the tree.
So long it took,
but never missed the flight.
Rejoice I did;
bliss I indulged in.
An old chapter closed
forever.
By him; faith.