Bimbi's Mind

Yemisi, Iyalode's daughter was just a step above adolescence when she discovered boys. The attention tickled the nape of her neck and filled a hole in her soul that ten-ten could not. Yemisi would cock her small hips dangerously left and dangerously right as she walked on by. She would tilt her nose when strangers whistled 'fine girl', 'look here', refusing to bless the cat callers with her attention while basking in theirs. And would break into songs of laughter when boys like Alani gave her cheap bracelets they bought with money stolen from their mother's purses. It is true that she publicly rebuked Alani when news filtered that he emptied his father's pouch. But Yemisi had such harsh words coming from a mouth dressed in lipstick that Alani bought. Yemisi would lead the boys on with sweet words of endearment, teenage boys who have grown tired of their mother's affection would find shelter in her demure. Her graceful face never ran out of ...

"Love is overrated." She said from her side of the bed.  You smiled because her words of rejection no longer bruised your ego.  Maybe it had dented it the first time you told her you wanted to be her everything . She had snickered in jest and pursed her lips. And she had guffawed once, then twice and then sighed. 'What will I gain from this relationship?' She had asked. But you could not find an answer to such an easy question... if it ever had one. You had promised money, and she had refused. Attention and she had scoffed. Poems, yes, lots of poems. Your commander said you were talented and would always ask you to read to the men when festive; you would read them stanzas of home; and reassure them their women, children awaited them. And when loss weighed the spirits he would call on you. And you would bend your little piece of paper to the fire and read slowly; those words that were more than words, to you at least. But she would not have any ...