Why Our Body Sought Asylum in Water-Genes by Emmanuel Umeji
Why Our Body Sought Asylum in Water-Genes
Emmanuel Umejigenocide. genocide. genocide. genocide. genocide. genocide.
genocide. genocide. our gene was made genocide. genocide.
genocide. genocide. with loose glue gene-o-cide. genocide.
genocide. genocide. against bullets. genocide. gene-o-cide
genocide. & there is a hole in our species genocide. genes
genocide. where the massacre sneaked in. genocide. genes
genocide. on the news, you’ll hear of men genocide. gens
genocide. migrating to the Nile for asylum genocide.
genocide. at least, what births us should kill us genocide
genocide. without pain or blood—genocide. genocide.
genocide. just our bodies drowning genocide. [genocide]
genocide. into the quietude & softness of water-[genes]
genocide. & unto the feet of our God—genes. on. void
genocide. perhaps water is another wormhole genocide
genocide. leading into another universe genocide. genes
genocide where we won’t be called black gen-ocide. gene.
genocide. genocide. black things genocide. genocide. melt.
genocide. genocide. genocide. genocide. genocide. genocide
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SHARED WITH GRATITUDE
This poem appeared in Chestnut Review, Winter (Volume 6, Number 3), 2025.
ABOUT EMMANUEL UMEJI
Emmanuel Umeji (AshBard) is an Eastern-Northern Nigeria poet and debater. His work has been published in Eunoia Review, NWF Inaugural Issue amongst others. He writes from the North of Nigeria currently.
Read more poems by Emmanuel Umeji • Find books by this poet on Amazon • Bookshop • Follow on Instagram • Twitter • Or view my library
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