mythology about my father

excerpts from Chris Abani’s “The Face”

photograph by A.B. Godfreed

Reality is held in Igba Iwa,
the calabash of existence
an unbroken chain of purpose stretching
the way light shimmers through the water

calmness, serenity, sensitivity, insight,
inspiration — a river,
ugwu bu nkwanye nkwanye — respect is reciprocal…