"Conflict" by Salako Richard

Eyes staring in the reflection

A familiar stranger in the mirror

We beckon in like motion

We twine, born of night's colour

Yet our intent – scuffed and frayed

I, to ply the pilgrim's path

He, to trail Cain's fallen way

That in his doom, I may bath

Who shall free me from myself?

I reel to the clang of the clash

My hand's too heavy to undo the shelf

I fear I'll forever fall in a flash

Perchance, the pelting of this inner war

Should herald the start of victory's tour

Salako Richard is a 100-level student of English at the University of Ibadan.