Fragrant Love Poem by Chima Ononogbu

At first, it was a grain smaller than a mustard seed,
Then we sowed it
Deep into the ground of our hearts;
It germinated, budded out,
And into the sky it towered like a ruby-colored rose.

An opiate for a brokenhearted
Pacifies hearts into which tumults are crammed.
It is a shell of light that engulf the dark.
It rains brightness where clouds run wild.

Remember, my darling one,
It found us on the sloppy valley of despond,
And with hands as tendrils pulled us out
To set us on the soft wings of betrothal,
Where, surely, it feels a dream in an endless sweet motions!

This love, our anthem to sing, threads our hearts together,
As a pair of eyes are bound by eternal unity of rotation;
As two wings conjoined at the crest of an eagle's spine
Wherefrom they flap and glide synchronously in celestial air.

Shall I speak of those lonely days away from you?
I walked down the farm path colonnaded by tall swaying trees,
Where I quelled my brokenness
Which creaked underneath my racing heart,
And reflected on all molecules of our deserted love.

As I walked, I had wished the trees that bade me goodbye
Were many faces of you.
Even the river on the east side of the old orchard,
I had always wished your voice could call my name
From its gentle wave.

Although I knew I was all alone
Among the multitude of earless brushes,
I swooned at the sight of the evening breeze
That whooshed your fragrant love to my salivating ears.