Writers Space Africa-Rwanda
Literary Work of the Week Poetry

Missing You | Lise Nova Berwadushime

‘Missing You’ was voted by members of WSA-R community as Literary Work of the Week (October 28–November 3, 2024).

I open the door that once led to your room
And my eyes spy the bed you once lay on
Books and bags are all I see
And a radio playing some nonsense music

I want to shelter particles of your perfume in my nostrils
But I can’t, for you are nowhere to be found.
I run to tuberoses for comfort
But all they make me do is sneeze

I kiss every mortal that resembles you
To remind my buds what you tasted like
But all I get is stale, fungi spangled bread
A terrible taste human has ever known

I run to old abandoned churches
Searching for a secret portal to your realm
But all I see are naked baby angels
And statues that make me question religion

God knows how I look for you every time
In piano tunes of Mozart or Beethoven,
In Melodies of Adamo and Cabrel
In the mountains where your mother nursed you

I call your name whenever Masabo Nyangezi strums his guitar
Or when Amasimbi and Amakombe sing.
You disturb my mind however you wish
For you are the face I see when I look in the mirror.

Today is another day,
And I am wearing a bracelet with your name on it
To count its beads when I’m nervous
To show off when somebody asks whose daughter I am.


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