The Other Woman

I am she

The reason for your tears

The cause of your headaches

I am she

I keep him warm-in

Your absence

Is my presence

I am she

The third party in your bond.

I am his joy

In your anger.

His woman,

When you're being a baby.

And his pillar

When you have crumbled.

I am she

His confidante, keeper

Of matters unknown

To you

Matters about you.

I am she

On the phone

When you pick

With your voice raised

In panic and suspicion

Asking. "Who is this?

I know you can hear me

Who is this?"

I am the unknown caller

By 2

I am Kayode he crashed with

I am she

In whose bosom he lays.

I am your partner in him.

When I stroke his beard

In my bed

He sighs

And your face flashes.

Guilt rears its ugly head

But his strong strong arms

In which I lay

Send your face and guilt to the dark.

I am she.

I am why he strokes right.

I taught him how

To lay it good.

I am she you smell

On him

She; whose Classic lipstick

Is on his collar,

She who fed him

Not just food or love

I am she who filled his appetite.

For the things

Your uptightness would refute.

I am the voice you hear

In every background

And your name is a taboo

And my existence is your horror.

I am she

Who loves your man.

She; who does him right.

She; who is

The other woman.

Nkem Oyaghire