SEEKING REST “Come to Me, all you who labor & are heavily laden, and I will give you rest.”-Matthew 11: 28 My lips areFilled in with filth& alcohol, the temple through whichI echoed his testimony is no more. I sprawl upona cold floor with my back,Heavy as granite with a baggageOf sins that clung on it. I am seeking aRiver, deeper than my tearsTo ease my self & cleanse/mySoul of putrefaction. A sanctuary,I need one. For I — anUnreasonable one who forsook all,Seeks one now with contrition. Knowing I need to see him,Without a blemished garment,By the testament of the cross & … Continue reading Two Poems from Akin-ademola Emmanuel | PAROUSIA Magazine

“The whimpering maiden” I reached for you but you’re no longer homethe night has swallowed your silhouettesthe world lined your head into a new headline Perhaps the law cheated youperhaps the world was just in a haste to raise a new hashtag;a new mantrawith the petals of your bloodthat was plucked right in front of God A man said to me,you were wrong for burning candles in the churchsays it was God’s anger that swallowed your hymen His mouth appeared to quiverwhen he noticed how easily he placedreligion beyond your breath,he tried to festoon his blunder. A girl’s body they … Continue reading Three Poems from Nwuguru Chidiebere Sullivan | PAROUSIA Magazine

THE COWARDS Subterranean the offingsThere you find the cowardsThey’re the inhabitants of the oceans Deep Do you know why they’re there?From the times of rebellionThey were cast to the waters The Cowards are not those who runDuring warThey’re not those who find excusesThey’re not those who find blames The Cowards are those:Who rape the pride of womenWho rape the innocence of a girl The Cowards are those who maimThat woman at homeThat wife they’re to protect The Cowards are those:Who poke fingers-In the eyes of their descents The Cowards are those:Who don’t believe in themselvesFor they’re easily swayed by the … Continue reading The Cowards by Andrew Ali Danjuma | Poetry| PAROUSIA Magazine

Ode to King Jesus Timeless Ancestor, living in fair clouds/Son of the Living God, Heir of Heaven/Your crown of gold glitters brighter than the sun//Live forever, O King! Beautiful Angels, with their many wings/Sweep clean your orchards and bow at your feet/Creation sings your praises on earth below//Holy is your name, O Lord! Power, majesty/Dominion/Adorn your throne above//O Ancient of days! Through Heaven’s Street When you walk through Heaven’s Street,Beyond the sea, on a beautiful day,Take one step at a time, if you may,There are a hundred thousand sailors in Jesus’ fleet. Men, women, boys and girls, they’ll greet:‘Welcome to … Continue reading Two Poems from Abigail Tydale Bassey | PAROUSIA Magazine

HEAVEN’S GATE When I get there amidst filthy souls late,You will open heaven’s gateWith the high pitch of your honey voice,I will sing like angels with no noiseTo trace in my beautiful voice,For all I have is you as my choice. When I get there amidst filthy soulsCovered without tattered-sinful clothes,You will undress me with your loveAnd clothe me with a pure robe of love. When the sins of men initiate darknessYour tranquil grace will baptize them.When the iniquities of men in the wildernessWeigh them down to the bottom of their firmYour wings will sing a lullaby to comfort them.Like … Continue reading Three Poems from Daniel Yohanna | PAROUSIA Magazine

HALO I don’t have enough of myself to confront living. So I let grief have its way, Piling regrets where a heart should be. The sun is licking on souls, again.And I hand over mine like a coin too rusted to cast a glint. May this poem, like God, suck the pus off my sores and clot these wounds. May every prayer I throw towards God not end up wing-to-wing with the wind,Bringing down cold where miracles are expected. In every garden, I pick up the pace when a bird calls. No one knows what the trumpet in heaven sounds … Continue reading Two Poems from Prosper Enotor| PAROUSIA Magazine

DIVINE TOUCH I took a huge step back from lifeWith the hopelessness of each passing day I wore a smiling face with disillusioned heart My inside was too damp with uncried tears No one knew the depth of my drowning soul Until she knocks the gate of hades. In the wretched valley of absolute nothingness, Came the floodlight from a divine source Rectilinearly reaching my death-seeking soul With the illumination of life and hope. Now, water flows in my dry places And garden sprouts from my desert With flourishing flower petalsAnnouncing the beauty of life Touched by heaven’s glorious light. … Continue reading Three Poems from Pele Banji | PAROUSIA Magazine

In those happenings:The immediate intimacy of a night’s traveling companion.The ease of revealing selves without consequence.While closely distant in adjoining seats.And the miles sail by.And the eyes grudgingly slide shut. Now escaping the fog of a traveling sleep.With reality coming at the sudden sound of a needed stop.For her to go somewhere – for some reason. Now the same thing that gave you the liberty to speak.Brings a sense of parting-grief.And you may say goodbye.But what to?Other than the convenience of a passing distraction.Creating an undesired emotional attachment? Now the happenings are again en route.For her and for you.But without … Continue reading In those happenings by John Sullivan|Poetry | PAROUSIA Magazine