Permanent contract

The cemetery has a work ethic.
Nothing lies there for long.

The rain settles the heavy mound,
the mud pulls at a loose stone,
and the weeds push through the fence.

In a kitchen,
a loaf stiffens on the counter,
milk studies its own fading,
and a houseplant practices departure
one yellow leaf at a time.

Everything finished gets rehired.

The soil keeps no favourites,
only a steady exchange program,
where endings earn entrance
and arrivals sign exit papers.

Majekodunmi O. Ebhohon is a Nigerian poet and playwright. He is the author of ‘The Great Delusion’, winner of the ANA Prize for Drama, 2025. He writes from Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria.
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