My parents knew nothing about video calls                                     until the week I left
the distance between us                                far-grown beyond the blues   only seeing
or hearing could measure up the slope                         there exists a wide gap     only
air         could fill from afar         it was at such distance that         my dad          walked
to the junction      where the signals could let him see       my mouth                 moving
not enough to hear me         outside our compound             my mom             stretched
her phone     to the night’s blue            asking the 5G god                to please grant her
audience with her son             in return         she could hear me                  the struggle
was in seeing me               it was the same for me          with both     always a distance
only seeing      or hearing      could touch                         never enough               to hold
but I’m        my mother's father          my father’s in-law            like every close relation
I’m in their hearts               with our family’s name running                  through my veins
over here      I go to bed       every night         with the lights on                  in the dream
a humulin bottle   is   beyond my father’s reach                                          he calls to ask
that I help him      afford one        but the door             is a soundproof                      wall
we are barely    on the same side                        most times                    my parents are
on the other side where there are no clean words                                    only questions:
Chidi                 are you there?                                                                                are you...?




 

Published May 1, 2026
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