Lovers within themselves, are jails—
but his love is exceptional; he’s a convict that
never dreams of escape,
In his penitentiary—this abyss—
of papier-mâché walls and ceilings made
of vows and promises, and barbed gates strung with
small impressionable lies and grand gestures,
there’s graffiti chalked everywhere—
“No one’s innocent,†one declares,
“There’s no reason for escape,†another reads,
“There’s no freedom without surrender.†another instructs.
And everyday—like dew
surrendering and retreating at
the chase of dawn,
the inmate escapes;
Only to be effortlessly recaptured—
Most times, by his own self.
~ Derek Lubangakene
Derek Lubangakene is a Ugandan poet. His work has appeared in several local newspapers, and will soon be published by the Kalahari Review.
Artwork:Â Craving for love, by Maria Khan
