Audio: Dying with magic

Photo: Bret Kavanaugh

Born without talents, he hoped

to yield magic with his fingers. Such a

pity life couldn't grant him his wishes

because wishes weren't treasures

that could be found on beaches

or gifts that could be bought on his way

home in his 2007 Camry, his pension in

his hands and loneliness in his heart. But

on the night of his demise, he became a

sorcerer and commanded spirits to dance

to his eyes, a poet and voiced out words

that were unfamiliar to the hospice staff

but caused souls awaiting retribution

continents away to tell him of their sorrows.

When the white gasp finally escaped his throat

and the black of his eyes escorted his soul

out of this world,

he smiled, for his last moments were his very best.

About the author

Yvonne Nezianya is a young Nigerian writer, (performance) poet and final year student of Health Education at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. She writes to tell silenced stories of young girls and people facing mental health issues. Her short story, Wonders of Spirits, was shortlisted for the K and L Prize 2020.  Her works have appeared in the Micah Anthology by Poets in Nigeria, Black Skin No Mask, Ethereal, The African Writers Review and elsewhere. Connect with her on Instagram @yvonnenezy_writes and Twitter @nezi_yvonne.