it was after school and Ebo and I were laughing and trailing Ama and her friends

all the way to the river and when we got there we all jumped in and Ama and I sat on the riverbank holding hands

I wish

it was after school and Ebo and I were laughing and trailing Ama and her friends

all the way to the river and when we got there we all jumped in and Ama and I sat on the riverbank holding hands and our breath

I wish

it was after school and Ebo and I were laughing and trailing Ama and her friends

all the way to the river and when we got there we all jumped in and Ama and I sat on the riverbank holding hands and our breath until she kis—

ALARM

The loud noise

is a rapid thunder

is the sky crashing

into the river

is a sudden bolt

that strikes

through the air

like a violent storm.

THE FIRST THREE BLASTS

stun me,

stop me in my tracks,

turn my head

to the west

toward its origin.

The next three declare

the deadly bullets

of a gun,

and each of the cries that follow

send me back

through the woods

racing to the east, home,

away from the advancing storm.

HERE IN THE DARK

the trees grab for me

like thieves snatching

and I can see nothing

not the rocks underfoot

not the crushed toad

not the wind on my trail,

but

I have to keep moving.

Here in the chilling dark

everything is louder

each trembling leaf

each whistling branch

the hard, hurried thump

inside my chest

even the rush and clump

of my own feet

scares me.

I am alone

and I have to keep moving.

Here in the dark

I am blind to the unknown

running fast,

far away

from the shots

that grow frenzied

and furious.

Here in the dark

I am hoping

and praying

wishing

this is a dream.

But…

THIS

is not a dream.

This. Is. Not. A. Dream.

is not you running

from a leopard

or becoming one

is not a spider

being chased

by a crocodile

or a cousin

or a snake

is not you riding

a blue whale

into the night

is not you perched

on a branch

is not Ebo playing

a joke on you

is not your maame’s voice

in the morning

is not the touch of Ama’s hand

in yours

or a smile

or a kiss.

This is not you tripping

or sinking

like a ship.

This is you moving.

And then not.

This is you falling

up.

BIG TROUBLE

Upside down

in the new rain

ankles gripped

by a tight rope

drenched body bound

in a web

eyes wide open

sightless

stuck

trembling

dangling above

the earth

like a caught rat

and crying out

for help.

No, this is definitely not a dream, Kofi.

You are very much awake

and this trouble

that has found you