We Call It A Shadow
The first daag bloomed quietly — not on my skin, but in my voice, a tremble I mistook for childhood.
Mother stitched silence into my collars, told me, “Hold your tongue. Girls who speak leave stains.”
I wore that silence to school, ironed it sharp so it wouldn’t wrinkle when I smiled.
Our house smelled of burnt rice and things unsaid. The clock ticked like a warning. Even the light had to knock.
Grandma’s portrait hung crooked — not by mistake, but as if even the wall couldn’t carry her memory straight.
At night, I’d listen to mother cry through two doors and a generation. Her sobs, a lullaby that never learned how to end.
Ivan Ndoma-Egba
Ivan Ndoma-Egba is a Nigerian writer and poet whose work focuses on the intersection of personal identity, social narratives, and emotional resilience. His writing explores themes of love, loss, and the human experience, blending poetic imagery with raw emotion. With a passion for storytelling, Ivan’s work has been featured in various online platforms and literary journals. When he's not writing, he is researching emerging technologies and exploring the depths of his creative expression through both written and digital mediums. He is currently focused on his journey as a writer and storyteller, navigating the complexities of his cultural roots.