still life with the evangelist
have you heard the gospel?
– did you know that birdsong is older
than a rooster’s call i’m sorry
i know not to answer a question
with a question i just find that
very fascinating
have you heard the gospel?
– my name means a promise was kept
i never sleep of course i hear things
what did you think of it?
– i understand that someone
has to die for me to be free
i just think that someone
is too often me
where did you go astray?
– the problem is always love
the problem is always my heart
i’m trying to say it all started
with the birdsong
what do you believe?
– i believe i am too young
to be such a withered thing
what do you believe?
– i would say i’m a buddhist
because breathing is something
people like me have to learn
and living is such a difficult task
almost like swimming
do you even want salvation?
– it started with love i changed
my name and a promise was broken
what do you mean?
– i mean i loved myself once
and i never looked back
do you even want salvation?
– don’t tell me lies we both know
someone has to die for that
to be real
do you know this is something you need?
– yes but a chest with good lungs
is also something i need
do you see my problem
what do you mean?
– listen to me i never breathe
so what happens after you die?
– i’ll be honest with you the only
real reason i believe in reincarnation is
is that i was too young when i
discovered nostalgia
how old were you?
– i heard it in a bird’s song
i think i was eight
when my father died
do you want me to stop?
– i’ve told you i cannot continue
this way it makes me wither
are you sure?
– of course i’m sure i never
sleep i have ample time
to decide these things i’m saying
everything that echoes is a name
àkúdàáyá
breathe breathe
stop shaking & calm the storm
in your hands
dead men can walk this earth
if they love hard enough &
do not let go
it is alright
it is more than alright &
if you recognize them
that means you will die soon
the flames enveloping you &
then folding into a silence
a blurry vanishing something
like a gradual thaw
does that sound so bad
look in a mirror
you are one of them
i am one too breathe
breathe it is alright to let go
it is alright to recognize yourself
it is more than alright
if you never let go
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Logan February is a happy-ish Nigerian owl who likes pizza & typewriters. His work has appeared or is forthcoming in Vagabond City, Wildness, Glass, and other outlets. His chapbook, Painted Blue With Saltwater (Indolent Books), is forthcoming in 2017. Say hello on Instagram & Twitter @loganfebruary
This is my first time of reading his poetry and I am not disappointed. I love his easy style. His spaces depict some sort of patient outflow, to me. I particularly like the first poem because of its Christian allusions.