The Man I Know.

I know a boy

Who is not perfect,

For perfection is a notion nobody will ever attain.

Might love him,I would say I can love him

Maybe love him.

One day would be min

Not to jump into conclusions

For he is pledged to another.

Six months late.

For I was busy obtaining

A degree;

A degree that is substandard.

I know a boy.

Who will not fiddle with my heart

Like he fiddles with keys.

For him I would learn the notes I know not.

For him I would learn things beyond my grasp.

For him I just might;

No scrap that

I will learn mathematics.

He is not a boy.

My bad,

He is a man who can love the child in me.

He is a man who will respect my learning process.

A man who will hold my hand,

As I ascend the long stairway of womanhood.

Forever will he tease

Not just my height but my age.

Ancient of days.

You that could be a big brother.

But my head won't respect herself

And my heart is still a learner.

So I see myself falling.

Deeper than I had not planned to.

Deeper than six feet

For this hole

Lacks a bottom.

And as I fall

Deeper will I dig.

I need to remember

It was a crush.

Now I feel squashed

With all I feel.

I don't want to want you.

But I can't stop smiling at you.

And I can't stop to want

I can't stop to say your name.

And with each letter I utter.

All I hear is "young lady control yourself"

But I can't stop.

For with every moment I see you

With your lazy swagger of a walk

And your incredibly flat nose.

I still want you.

  

Nkem Oyaghire