THE EVENING

(Inspired by Kodaline's The Evening)

Last night I had a dream;

Your life was played before my eyes.

Your eyes shined bright with gleam.

Your whole persona alive like a beam!

A beam that wouldn't go dim.

I knew without a doubt

You were my blessing, 

Sent from heaven to give living reason.

You were my rain, 

Sent from heaven to quench my thirst.

The World knew too, 

Of the greatness you were to impart. 

They celebrated too!

Everyone in their best dresses,

With gifts to make acquaintance.

I saw your smile, I heard your laugh.

The sound of your cry was the worst;

Loud and full of energy like you.

It did make me sad to see you cry,

But I was glad to have been the one to hear it!

I held you in my arms,

I felt your heart beat against my chest.

A bundle of joy, you were,

Wrapped in the blanket I'd preserved

For your brothers before you but they never got to use.

Seeing you wrapped in it,

All the pain I felt dissipated,

And all that was left was joy.

Joy that I couldn't explain nor understand.

The smile you plastered on my face only increased.

I held you tighter

Vowing never to let you go;

Vowing to protect you with everything in me;

Vowing to die if you ever left me;

Because I knew I couldn't continue living.

This night, I'm wide awake.

I have no more strength to dream;

You drained my energy while pushing your way out.

It was tough but hearing your cry made it worth it.

I sighed in relief because I knew it was over.

I held you in my arms.

I saw your tiny chest move,

And your little fingers curl and uncurl.

I saw your pretty mouth open,

And then I didn't see anything anymore.

The doctors said you never moved.

I don't believe them!

I remember seeing you move!

They said you didn't come out alive, that you were like your brothers.

I laughed in their faces when they said that.

I saw you yesterday, and I'm seeing you now!

You're beautiful, but they've chained me up

So I can't touch you.

They're cruel people, they wanted to take you away from me,

I didn't allow them and so they chained me up!

Don't worry child, I won't leave you; once I'm out of here

We'll go away together.

Me, you and your brothers before you,

All my three babies!

We'll live together and grow together.

But right now we both have to convince these people;

Convince them that you're real and I'm not the only one seeing you.

Release your shrill cry!

Let them hear you like I hear you!

Open your eyes!

Let them see the gleam I see!

Stir in your blanket!

So they won't lock you up in a box like your brothers!

They're looking at me,

They're looking at me with pity.

I don't need pity, I only need you!

And I'm glad that I have you.

And I don't have to miss you.

You're here with me.

Even if they can't see you,

I see you and I know

You'll be with me for the evening,

And even forever.

—Onwumah Ozed

©2020