Fey Ugokwe's Blog, page 3

THE +SPECIMEN+

there are specimens
and when this journey ends
we'll learn each one of us
were they

bright jelly-jam jars in the sun
each nation all--every one
spoiling until we turned grey...

Wifey

"Rodney went to unbutton P.V.'s blouse, to test the limits of his newfound theory, but her hands flew up like quick little windmills, slapping his away. Her elbows were flying at his chest, body twisting to break free in every direction. He was immediately amused--laughing as he neatly caught up her little wrists to contain her...":

Wifey

"But one day, in desperation, her mother called her, stirring pots of her own, a sea breeze blowing audibly into her window. Her mother pivoted toward the panes, breathing in the wafts of sweet brine. The sounds of gusting wind blew strongly across the cell phone connection to meet P.V.'s ears. As they did, her mother stood, wisps of stray hairs flying, wishing that her clearly hurting daughter was there. Then quietly, eyes staring out across one of the bluest of horizons, she said...":

Wifey

"'Well...I decided to have a go at...well, seminary, actually. Nothing vicar--um--priest-like or anything, mind you. Just thought...well thought it might do me a bit of good for awhile. Think I'd actually like to teach it one day...'":

Wifey

"The number one man was grinning wider, ear-to-ear, palm still splayed and pushing firmly at Rhys' chest. 'Look, dude--m'man jus' need to have a word. He ain' seen his wife in awhile, you know?' But Rhys pitched his head and torso forward, still struggling against the crew...":

Wifey

"When Rev. finally reached just near the top landing, he stopped, feet still on opposite stairs, lungs straining to grab at pieces of air from his shallow, in-out in-out mouth open wide. His belly and all insides were burning. He rested on his hands, cheek sliding, wet skin on wet skin, the dank smell of sweat salt and cologne mingling. A long, cooling breeze hit him from the right. And a beat later, he heard...":

Wifey

"He had stood there watching P.V., who transitioned into nervously unpacking her fresh dinner party finds from her large, hemp farmer's market bags. And then, in a nanosecond, he snapped--knocking empty pots, lids, and cooking spoons to the floor in a clearing motion, from the stove and nearby countertops. He breathed in a heavy, wheezing, asthmatic fashion as he created the calamity, saying nothing..."

Wifey

"And they fell onto the food and preparation table, sticking into the mixing bowl containing the remainder dough, and blanketed the entire surface of the ground and tiled veranda floor. One huge stalk fell violently and lodged behind Nani's ear, its tip caught in her hooped, gold earring..."

Wifey

"In her right hand was the stack of roti, topped with the new roti that had been in the pan--which was still gleaming--a flaky, beckoning nourishment, slightly charred and golden in spots. And, grunting, face ashen and gaunt, she extended the breads to P.V., wrinkled right hand shaking out an urgency for her to take them. But when P.V. reached for that right hand, Nani moaned and extended her left..."

Wifey

"He was red-haired--of a hue reminiscent of orange zest--with cornsilk blue eyes, and a strong, square jaw. His pale skin was lightly dusted at the nose with a smattering of light brown freckles, and he was reddened in patches at his cheeks and neck...and in his rugged appearance of feist, he was profoundly attractive..."