Black Snow
by Blessing Odunyemi
The children marveled
as adults clapped
The Black Snow had arrived
Stark contrast to the red clay
that was a little too social
clinging to feet, lungs, faces
The Black Snow had arrived
Hot and sticky smelling
acclimating to the humidity
in which it took residence
It felt strange and sickly
in their chests
but nobody dare interrupt the
celebrations all around because
The Black Snow had arrived
Children stepped foot in its warm softness
like puppies,
apprehensive of their paw prints
They wished to lie down
make snow angels
their parents screamed
"Ma bọ! Ma bọ!"
The Black Snow had arrived
The thick air intoxicated
leading to music and dance
praise hands upturned because
The Black Snow had arrived
Paving a new, fresh path
of promise
to a future unchanged
and blemished.
