Ordinary Utensil

By Hassan A. Usman


For Leo

Into March,       I follow my misfortune.    I am catastrophic—


a standout among the recipes for a sad poem.


I annihilate        the        carnation flowers sprouting


inside of me,        what I let grow        are a raven’s eggs,


darkness,              & an open wound.


I swear I’m not possessed— I              like to think of


the knife as a good friend,              unlike a ray of light,


you say:              you sharp creature,        cut into the skin,


into the coursing blood,        & it obeys.


Whatever gives me loyalty,        gives me joy. But


would you ever believe        if I told you that the bliss I pursue


is              an ordinary          utensil?


Again,        I remember Leo.        I have seen him in different places


including graveyards,        the        point of intersection


between us               is               loneliness;


the wind                                     took my cat


from the proximity to his cage,        from my gaze—


ours is


a poem        about        destruction.

BIO:


Hassan A. Usman, NGP II, is a black (performance) poet and a lover of cats. Hassan enjoys cooking, listening to Nigerian street music, and juggles writing with modeling. He tweets @billio_speaks