I realize now that our experiment was great water

Into which I was to dissolve, my cells’ unlocked membranes

Giving me the lie as I grasp at old bonds of matter,

As movement boils from my stretched meat, as thought boils from my brains.

 

Unbearable brightness of the other falling debris

Closer to event horizon marks the singular poles;

I know this truest darkness, my pupils slowly failing me.

Sing me slow soul from vinyl groove, spin spiral of black holes.

 

Sing me again at the last my own name, Áhàméfùla,

My name shall not be lost—Áhàméfùla, again my name;

I hear it again, Áhàméfùla, cold crystal knowledge

Printing with forever ink on general relative same.

 

Names make no mistakes, nor did our fatal experiment.

Call me Áhàméfùla, worm of a universe’s birth event.

 

Note: Áhàméfùla—Áhà m efùó la. Igbo name and motto literally meaning “my name shall not be lost”

© 2021 Uche Ogbuji