The Wooden Chair by the Door

The chair is older than me,
its arms worn smooth by my grandfather’s coat.
When the war broke the windows,
it sat untouched,
watching the street like a patient animal.

I remember his soft cracking voice,
and peaceful old revealing whistle 
telling me the world was once larger,
before the borders grew teeth.

Now I am here, in a different country,
and the chair is still there,
by the door that opens both ways.
When I visit,
I leave my bag on it first —
as if to say, I am home,
but also on my way.

It does not ask where I have been,
only holds my weight,
like memory holds the shape of someone
long gone.

Nwefuru Godstime Chiadikobi is a final year Clinical Medicine Student at Ebonyi State University, Nigeria. Beyond bagging distinctions in Pharmacology and Pediatrics in his medical journey, he is a passionate writer, Quality Education advocate, and founder of MEDSCHOLAR- an online platform dedicated to delivering medical lectures and fostering knowledge sharing among students.

His writing has found its way into various platforms, with one of his notable works, “Depression- the Silent Hell”, featured in the Nigerian Medical Students Association Health Week Magazine. While Chiadikobi’s academic training is deeply rooted in science, his heart has always found refuge in literature, particularly poetry as a medium to interrogate human experiences, amplify silenced voices and create emotional bridges between people. Currently, he is doing some works in the line of ‘Medical Poetry’ and has some written works on interesting themes. His inspiration comes from observing the intersections between human resilience and the environment we inhabit. His inks aren’t peripheral, they flow from grey matter.