Nothing Poem by Khumo Mhlanga

What can we make of this?
This rolling & tumbling into absolute nothing...
You wrap your arms around me - awed by aesthetic pleasance
But in the morning, when her call makes its way to you
Yesterday is exactly this: mist conceding defeat by the sun

What happened to them?
Those long, engaging talks about life and love and the myriad of things & occurences in between?
I laugh at myself: slain by strategy...
The sword of your silver tongue still dripping with my blood
That 's my heart under your feet - my story, my emotions
Why is it that opening the door was so easy?
The door to delusion, dishonesty...deceit.
Whom do I consult for the strength to shut out this barrage of nothing?
So heavy a force...

When you touched me, I came to life;
When you kissed me, I wanted to forget everything/everyone else...
When you shared yourself with me, I was left wanting more
But when I woke up, your presence was ghostly
I went to bed next to a hero, and woke up with his battle scars
I'm exposed: wanting your depth, and only getting...I struggle for the words
Oh, yes: only getting nothing...an abyss of self-absorption.
I didn't think that you were a member of that club too!

When you're done laughing at my wounds,
Bury my heart in a safe place;
Put it near the elements: sun, water & earth
Maybe it'll be rejuvenated
Maybe it'll spring back to life
Until then, I'll walk around with this cavity in my chest
Don't blame me when I can only give the next one what you left me with:
An empty chest...Nothing...