how to paint water

after Gbenga Adesina

i carry a geography of places with(out/in)// my
body// to be a man// is// to be an iron pressing other

people into yourself// sometimes i am a
fugitive on transit// other times i am //a

painter// either ways and other times// i am a
stranger on all sides// the bàtà i wear on my feet//

are// the shadow of my lover’s absence// her
hands are the mirror of an empty room// i once

trafficked the sun// into her thighs// with acrylic
on canvas// her body is// a hiding place for

cobwebs and old pianos// oftentimes we make
strangers out of known faces// my ex lover’s body

is a room without conversations//

By Wálé Àyìnlá 

Biography:

Wálé Àyìnlá is a 20-year-old Nigerian writer and poet who writes from the ancient city of Abeokuta. His works appear or are forthcoming on Brittle Paper, Kalahari Review, Prachya Review, Dwarts, Expound, and others. His poem, Little Boys are Large Exit Doors was a finalist in the Kreative Diadem Poetry Prize, 2017. He is @Wale_Ayinla on Twitter.