I’ve become adept
at shepherding
heartbreak to minute
areas of the body,
treating the lesions
with smoothing iron
and ice in equal measure.
I’m an imperfect mechanism,
an unskilled plough hand—
my pastures razed,
my stained bones fallow.
I wish to beat my arms
into an instrument
more useful to a world
that’s full and waiting
with cocked hammers.
The mystery in my body
is spoiling in this climate:
eyes dutiful derailed
by a sincere wince of interest,
ears easily fooled by dire
palaver, heart quickly hocked
to renegade causes—
Chukwuma Ndulue is the author of the chapbook Boys Quarter (Ugly Duckling Presse). He has been the recipient of fellowships from Columbia University and Kenyon College. Recent publications can be found on chukwumandulue.com