An anthology based on a mix of twelve short stories inspired by twelve monthly prompts, by Deadlines for Writers. (2022 Edition)

A collection of the lyrics I wrote. Lyrics about everything that matters to me. About everything that I yearn for desperately.

This is just a collection of some of the poems I’ve written over the years, about the many emotions, dreams, desires, and destinies inherent to existing in this world. I write about the many ways the world around us affects us and how we in turn affect it.

Enter Faith Salter--a young woman who just wants to keep her troubled boyfriend safe inside the utopia she's tried to create for him as best she can, even as the façade is starting to crack. Living in a house she can barely afford and now receiving some unforseen medical bills, her desperation has brought her face to face with an ethically questionable 'friend' from her past, who's more than willing to strike a deal with her. Will it fix the situation, or worsen it in the long run?

I don't know why I feel things so deeply, that when I'm emotionally or mentally hurt, I literally feel the pain hurt so bad physically.. Of course science already figured it out and named it Psychogenic Pain.. Bottom line.. It's messed up..

"My mind your always on it. Why did you have to die? Come back? Please? I need you!"

In africa, getting married in your thirties is considered late, nearly all mothers with daughters in that circle of age, find themselves fasting consecutively, going to churches, traditional homes, mosque, rolling on the floor, praying for a miracle to come down from heaven.

How do i know this? Because i used to belong in that age circle but, here i am now, watching my mother-in-law, aunt, and uncle preach to me on forgiveness.

Naimah, my daughter, you seen ehn, men are polygamous in nature, you'll have to forgive your husband oh, one more thing, this lady is two months pregnant with a bouncing baby boy on the way, my husband aunt added.

Yes she is, they all mumbled together & its a sin to opt for an abortion his aunt finalized.

[NAIMAH HAD A FLASH BACK TO THE TIME AT THE HOSPITAL]

The doctor interlocked his hands and sighed deeply, i recognize that look, its one of despair and bad news. Have been married to my husband for Two years now and every attempt to get pregnant turned out to be futile so my friend Rachel convinced me to see a doctor she claims is a miracle worker. Have been to different hospitals and, the last hospital i visited heals their patients with herbs so i was fortunate to eat this bitter concoction that got me sick for two weeks, it could have been avoided but i did nothing to stop it from happening unlike this time around, i decided to strike a deal with her promising this will be the last time she will force me to see a doctor. I know whatever she is doing, is at my own best interest but i have literally lost faith in any treatment repairing whatever damage my body is struggling with and, i secretly hope that maybe this time, a miracle will definitely happen.

Doctor, i paused, noticing how his face wasn't hinting me about what the results say. Can you please tell me what the results say i asked politely. Meanwhile i was shrieking at the probability of it been a good news or a bad news but, whatever the case may be, the results is right in front of me.

Mrs Naimah, are you not married?

I scrunched my eyebrows together, what kind of a stupid question is he asking & how does that explain my inability to conceive? I cleared my throat, and respectfully asked, what do you mean Doctor, of cause am a married woman.

He looked unconvinced and disappointed with my answer, why should he, am slowly starting to get angry with this man in front of me. Who is he to judge, couldn't he see the  golden wedding ring on my finger? I re-adjusted myself and folded my hands on his table , his eyes for a second went to my ring and he slightly smacked his palm on his face in guilt i suppose.

Mam, i do not mean to doubt you he said sounding genuinely but, the test results in my hands, shows that you have been overdosed on contraceptives.

What?

Did i hear you right doctor?

Doctor, contrac- what?

How....?

[END OF FLASHBACK]

Won't you say something, my mother in-law asked, nudging my shoulders to speak up, I never knew this day will come, I can't even believe this is the woman i took like my mother.

I looked at my husband and immediately, he looked elsewhere, scratching his hair and wiping his hands on his lap, guilt was written all over his face.

We understand no woman in her right frame of mind will accept or wish this on her daughter but i guarantee you, we had a family meeting, we have all spoken to your husband and he has promised us it won't happen again. So my daughter please forgive him and let's move on.

Besides, you know, she's here to assist you since, you cannot get pregnant, uncle dele, said. I instantly snapped my head to his direction in bewilderment.

The others tried to caution him but he nudged them back saying, what? Are we not here to tell her the truth, see ehn, let's call a spade a spade, please.

I held back the tears threatening to come out, & out of no where, i asked, where is the woman my husband impregnated & the argument between my in-laws stopped.

My mother in-law quickly signaled to Aunt Kemi to bring her in but, uncle dele beat her to it  while we all waited patiently.

Seconds turned into minutes, and like keys jingling in my ear, i suddenly hear an unexpected familiar voice say, good afternoon my in-laws.

Looking up, i see my best friend Lola, staring back at me.

A collection of poetry that I wrote after leaving my ex.

Chan's sudden scream scared us all. His eyes were wide open in a blink of an eye and tears began to fall from those eyes as no one expected.

_____________________________________

I screamed as his body pressed against my lower abdomen. Ignoring it, I quickly stepped towards the nearest opening under the stage.

My legs were already shaking.

___________________________________________

she took an ice pack and  gently placed it on his bruised abdomen. Chan gasped and writhed in a groan. I slowly ran my hand through his hair and stroked it gently, hoping to comfort him at least a little.

song ideas

~ choice in love

~ you don’t have complete control who you love

~ self love for being yourself

~ TW: hurting yourself

So many choices but

Integrate one only.

Leave behind tactics.

Everlasting courage to

Needle stars and

Change forever.

Even pleading

Drives the road.

Tween Elizabeth has been struggling to fit in ballet class for the past six months due to scoliosis. Before she knew it, quitting suddenly became much more difficult through post-ballet life thoughts along with friends. Will she end up risking her reputation of "Graceful Ballerina" and take up a whole new version of herself, or will she find a way to fit in?

Through the poetry collection, Elizabeth examines themes of belonging, desires, and fitting in.

Makes all the Adeline go wrongly in our veins

Makes us the hell out of the gate

Running through the fields

Mind comes out from your brain

When you hit to the name

Hurry up you’re on the train

People will rush you to death

Gateway drug on your head

To get out of this place

Will make you crazy to walk on the line

nervous of your thoughts will break down the fence of yours

Everybody says gotta take the situations seriously

Common of the worlds and minds unit and destroy the nations

Subsidiaries of the pages of war will crush down the kingdoms