Saturday, August 30, 2008

Sometimes, I do fold them.

You were there, in that big space where you always are. You had taken up all the space as usual. I picked you up, so heavy...but I picked you up and then I rolled you all up...I rolled and rolled until you were as small as a folded shirt. Then when you were small enough, I saw you no longer took up so much space. I stuffed you in the cupboard in the tiny corner. Where all the other men are. You should be happy I folded you so carefully. Some are not folded at all. Some I just dump inside. All crumpled with stains and all, so you should be happy I folded you as gently as I did. You know the other one? The one before you? I never folded him...I jumped on him a couple of times and then I made holes in him with a cigarette, then I just dumped him in. I don't even know if he is still in there, he is quite unrecognizable now...sometimes, I am not sure. I saw the neighbor’s dog the other day with something in his mouth that looked like him... but I am not sure. You, I was so very careful because maybe sometimes I might want to look at you...I might want to remember how good it was...how great it felt...that’s why I am so careful with you, that’s why you are folded. I know...you are just like the rest of them..cruel...mean...selfish...sometimes I really think that’s what you are but late at nights, when nobody is looking, I take you out and wrap myself in you, oblivious to the words...cruel...selfish...mean...like the rest of them. You don't know me anymore, cos that’s what happens when you are locked in the cupboard. Days will pass, and you will not remember me. Months will pass and I will also be ...just like the rest. I wonder if there will be a time when I will see the dog playing with you and I will not care. You will be full of holes and stains and I will not bother to fix you up? You will become ...rags..nothing more...will I use you to clean my window? Will I use you to clean my shoes? I don't want to think of the time when you will become rags...for now, I want to think of the times when I will take you out of the cupboard at nights and fold you in the mornings...sometimes, I do fold them.(can't embed)

13 comments:

Zayzee said...

tight one. i know some memories i want to hold in my drawers by folding neatly, others i just trample on

Unknown said...

Hmmm...requires peeling off the layers as usual. Waffy, I always feel you are writing about one thing but using the imagery of another...Same here.

Nigerian Drama Queen said...

Waffy,
Every time I read a post of yours, I actually stop and read it in it's entirety. Thats what you do: you make one stop and read.

I particularly appreciate your ability to be subtle and not overly literal.

Keep him rolled up, and if he refuses to be thankful for his spot in the cupboard, a few cigarette burns should do the trick!

Buttercup said...

i agree with naijalines..but im diggin ur style of writin all the same!

La Reine said...

That was just Lovely. Totally feel you.

-I ran into an article Nigerians should read, check it out: http://chxta.blogspot.com/2008/08/just-letter.html

Unknown said...

Did I also say that's one of the things I like about your style. Makes me think...and I love peeling off the layers...

@ BUTTERCUP
Aburo, this your new avatar is hot o. Me likee.

The Activist said...

You are awesome. Yes, the folding isnt bad

The Activist said...

You are awesome. It aint bad to do some foldings................

Anonymous said...

Interesting closet you have there. Only skeletons allowed in mine.

Waffarian said...

@uzezi: My sister, you know...

@naijalines: The mind works on so many levels...I guess I just want to express the feelings...its actually easier for me to write this way...cos thats how my mind sees things. It will be so much harder to write "exactly" what I want.

@nigeriadramaqueen: Yeah, burns are always good...make a pattern or something...hehehehe..like tie and dye.

@buttercup: Thanks babe...and now, how will I get those lips out of my head?

@la reine: Thanks for the link. I checked it out and left a comment there as well.

@naijalines: Thanks dear.

@standtall: Well, one has to do the honest thing...as painful as it is.

@Patrice: Hhehehehehe, of course you only have skeletons, you do everything by the book don't you? By the way, can I have your email add? I need your honest opinion on a project I am working on. You can send it to waffywaffarian@yahoo.com,(yes, yes, its just a ploy to get ur email, shoot me!)

Waffarian said...

@nigeriadramaqueen: Oh, forgot to say thanks.

Buttercup said...

@ waffarian..hehehehe!

@ naijalines..lol ese egbon mi!

SOLOMONSYDELLE said...

wow, waffy. I cannot come here without being challenged to think harder. Thanks so much for that. This, as usual, was well written.

Hope all is well with you, my sista.