Love
A precariously analysed word
That gives you the tastes of rainbows
And hopes of riding shooting stars
As it Holds you like fire holds warmth

Lust
Moving winds of a fleeting lover
Who takes you to heaven with
His sugar laced tongue and sunset eyes
A gulp of the present that tastes
Like forever dipped in pixie dust

Heaven
The walks we took down south
Of the Caribbean under the harsh sun
The sand pooling above our feet
As we filled the beach with the laughter
Of quiet contentment

Hell
The time stamp on love
The intoxicating waves of lust
When heaven cracks and all that’s left
Is the residue of once upon a time

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Maryam Yusuf Zubairu is a school teacher and poet. She writes from Kaduna, Nigeria. She has keen interest in the art of hosting book chats and a number of her works can be found on her Instagram page @emwhyzee__. She was the second runner up of the Gimba Suleiman Hassan Esq Poetry Prize 2023. Her poem “My ancestors wildest dreams”, got longlisted in the Brigitte Poirson Literature Prize 2023. She has performed on cosy stages and before roaring audiences at For the love of poetry, Kano and Kaduna Hilltop. She is passionate about her deen, words, the moon, taking long walks and self betterment in all parts of life.