Pacifique Niyitanga

I Play and Pray

And “I will leave the light on...”

Boring thoughts I had, hmm, the

Cyclones in my mind, I felt like

Drowning in the ocean of flames

 

Every time I play it, I pray harder

For it to never come back—the evil

Grown and nourished by my fear—

Hollow chest with a rolling stone.

 

It reminds me of the horror scenes;

Just the way I used to sleep in tears,

Kissing pillow and punching sheets

Loudly screaming, begging for help;

Muttering the prayers, I was in pain

 

No one could save me except him,

Oh lord who left the light on and

Paved my way back home, oh lord!

Quick death was all I craved, hush

 

Robbed from my pals, I served woe

Searching for a darker place to hide

The scars, smoky smell and red eyes

Until I divorced my bliss, embracing

Violence of myself, vices, and drugs

 

Well, “I will leave a light on,” I pray.

X-treme angst and those harsh voices

Yelling in my head are gone, and this

Zeal for loneliness is but out of my life.