What an Inspiration—the Moon!

I am in the business of interrogating
Light. The moon has inspired
more suicides than poems.
I say this because before
my first attempt I sought first
its permission. My methods are
safe. A quick knick on the surface
& I am emptied, chaste in my rendering.

I want to believe death
is a painless exercise, like cracking
the knuckles—enjoyable, even.

Isn’t this the ruse of all
ages—a thumb thinking itself
flexible, bends backwards
to touch the wrist?

Pamilerin Jacob is a Nigerian poet whose works have appeared in Barren Mag, Agbowo, Poetry Potion, Dwarts Mag & others. He was the second runner-up for Sevhage Poetry Prize 2019. Author of Memoir of Crushed Petals & chapbooks, Gospels of Depression, and Paper Planes in the Rain (Co-authored); he is a staunch believer in the powers of critical thinking, Khalil Gibran’s poetry & chocolate ice-cream. Reach him on Twitter @pamilerinjacob.