We present this work in honor of the Nigerian holiday, Mothering Sunday.

 

When they smile and they smile
and then begin to say
with pain o their brows
and songs in their voice:
‘the nose is a cruel organ
and the heart without bone
for were the nose not cruel,
it would smell my love for you
and the heart if not boneless,
would feel my pain for you
and the throat, O, has no roots
or it would root to flower my love’;
run for shelter, friend,
run for shelter.