SOULFLAME MAGAZINE

  ATMOSPHERE FOR PERFORMANCE  The atmosphere of the poem is one of caution, reflection, criticism, morality, and spiritual significance. The poem creates a sense of concern as it examines how gossip and uncontrolled speech gradually destroy relationships, families, communities, and even the spiritual life of the individual involved. FIRST SPEAKER He thinks more of another than himself. He's just concerned about every conversation. He was too small when he was supposed to shut up. He grew beyond advice- A true Auguste Comte. I knew he was going to be a gossiper Because he had no business. A playboy, a leisure fellow, Well-bred in an aristocratic pot Bore by the impaler (Vlad) Born by the very Queen of Sheba, The true imperial majesty. Close was he to deeds Than even the closest. He goes first To plant seeds of confusion. He merges the concern with the unconcern, The innocent to the guilty, The true to the untrue, The children to the parents, The parents to total strangers, The...

  ATMOSPHERE The atmosphere is reflective, philosophical, emotionally disturbing, luxurious, cautionary, and morally contemplative. The poem creates awareness about the emptiness hidden beneath worldly pleasures and social pride. MILES AWAY FROM LIFE Mother once said -  "If they are all beautiful, then you are in trouble,  You will never be a husband".  Solomon had them all  And later testify how inferior they were.  Remember Don Juan?  The Pro. Seducer? He had them at will. Noah was a bee  He drank the best of wine, the spirits.  He could tell the brand by it smell-  Yellow tail,  Casillero del Diablo,  Gallo family Vineyard,  He felt the true taste before they were born. Well, I've tasted Bugatti La Voiture Noire.  It's life outside the planet.  Life in Mercedes- Maybach 5650 Is stooling in the moon.  Story for the black!  The young man breath his last in the Amerigo Vespucci  Luxury life wasted...

    ATMOSPHERE The atmosphere is warm, emotional, reflective, affectionate, peaceful, and appreciative. The poem creates a deep sense of admiration for motherhood, discipline, humility, and responsible parenting. EUNICE TEDDY ESSIET Mother of six,  A woman of forty,  A dove, a cock.  Gently she walks as if she can't kill insects.  Away she ran far, shying away from conflict.  Her head is small  Her soul is gentle. In us is embedded her simplicity,  Some are mad anyway, and some good.  Never should it be said they weren't well-bred  Or they weren't well fed.  He who deviates knows the policy  That's my philosophy. Anything contrary is ignorant  Something wasn't said in the first place  And so, what must be, must be.  If only it were said, then the defaulter is mad.  Trust me, her generation is scared,  She deserves to be feared. Mother, my mother is the best of all, a good woman  But is yours t...

  ATMOSPHERE The atmosphere is reflective, tense, emotional, philosophical, socially disturbing, and cautionary. The poem creates a deep awareness of hidden corruption beneath the visible structures of society. THE DEEP STATE I remember those days when mum would say-  Son!  Just locate a church as soon as you arrive there.  All churches were churches  And God, the Omega.  It doesn't work that way today. Mum will be good enough to say- Son!  Locate a living church, and never prostitute around.  Pregnancy is real and STDs, sure! Check here-  My undies have no pockets,  You know my head is small. Back in those days when dad would say- Son!  You know where you are leaving;  Make friends, but never lose concentration.  The castle of impossibility has taken in  Awaiting the days of possibility,  When Amelia shall make himself a bot.  It goes the other way this time.  Dad will be mindful-  Son!  "In...

  ATMOSPHERE The atmosphere is dark, prophetic, tense, reflective, emotionally disturbing, and spiritually confrontational. The poem conveys a strong warning against religious deception and corruption. PHYSICIANS OF NO VALUE He stroked the mother masquerade  And the congregation scattered.  He killed the king priest  And the veil broke.  The naked temple showed to the world  Its vessels of gold, silver, wood, and even clay.  Give to me the ancient days  Where the priest was fit for the temple.  Where all the Levites turned babes  Thinking no evil against their fellows. Gone are the days  When the most holy was the most sacred  Highly feared for the unseen.  "Sin", the principal disconnector has part all good. Dungeon is today's temple,  And priest, a prison warden  Father involuntarily gives life to the fittest  Sleeping right in our very eyes.  His colleague laid his bed, And he slept honorably like th...