treading water

Adebe DeRango-Adem

every treasure chest breathes heavy,
every black pearl understands
the uncomfortable whole

every treasure chest breathes heavy,
every black pearl understands
the uncomfortable whole

just as every siren knows
to turn her sadness into song,
develop a taste for archeology

instinctively come up for air
to surface to herself,
watch the lobe of the moon disrobe

consider drowning the night’s
last reckless sailors
with the stark anthropology of her fins

she finds it amusing
that her tears never get seen,
and so taught herself to cope

by hoping deep and long,
fathoming song,
choosing what’s buoyant,
learning so long

 

Adebe DeRango-Adem is a writer and expat doctoral student at the University of Pennsylvania. She is the author of two poetry collections, Ex Nihilo (Frontenac House, 2010) and Terra Incognita (Inanna Publications, 2015). Her most recent, Terra Incognita, explores various racial discourses and interracial crossings buried in history’s grand narratives.

Pre-order Our Next Issue

ROOM 47.4 FULL CIRCLE
Step back with Room into the past, to parents, to childhood homes, and to people once known and loved; dig into themes of grief and healing; and ultimately explore what it means to come full circle in literature.

Currently on Newsstands

ROOM 47.3 BODIES
Join Room in a deep dive on the body: touch and isolation, trans and queer embodiment, fat liberation, chronic illness and disability, brutality, sensuality, and other meditations on the bones and muscles you inhabit every day.

Subscribe to our newsletter

Be the first to know about our contests, calls for submissions, and upcoming events.

* indicates required

Join us on Patreon

Become a RoomMate

Seeking members who love literature, events, merchandise, and supporting marginalized creators.


Visit our Store

Share This