Play

before they play,
they feel a deep-boned
………………… pre-knowing
…… of the legerdemain of fire

unbidden,
… before they play,..they
……. g listen hot in thren & s-
……………………………… way
… a sorcery,
a silent infinite orrery of warmth

& whence   e n t r o p i cally shrouded,
…….becoming impossibly one-with,

…….their lips,
……………those cindering clefts
……………………………………undone

pucker,..crack..lick….&..suss ictic-pith s
……s earing wistfulwhispers

……….into
the duende of fire,
…………….before they play .

 

y–
……ingira o’kutu kwo’mutima
……………….offune e’ –
…………………………..mirembe:

 

 

here*

……….hear
………………my ear, my
…………….heart

—for am w/am

…………….**

Petero Kalulé is a composer, poet and multi-instrumentalist currently living in London. Petero’s collection of poems ‘Kalimba’ was published by Guillemot Press in May 2019. Find Petero on Twitter @nkoyenkoyenkoye

Image banner: Desert Sand Piano by Yanina Spizzirri