1.

4 LOVE CYCLE

CHINUA ACHEBE

At dawn slowly
the sun withdraws his
long misty arms of
embrace. Happy lovers

whose exertions leave

no aftertaste nor slush
of love’s combustion; Earth
perfumed in dewdrop
fragrance wakes

to whispers of
soft-eyed light…
Later he
will wear out his temper
ploughing the vast acres
of heaven and take it

out of her in burning

darts of anger. Long
accustomed to such caprice
she waits patiently

for evening when thoughts

of another night will
restore his mellowness
and her power
over him.