It was a cold night in July. The street lights were dim; the sidewalks were filled with more homeless kids than usual. I could smell the musky air of dead things. I was searching for solitude and serenity; anything to drown this demon that lives inside these empty rooms of my heart.

Just at the moment I saw the inscription, “St. Paul’s Cathedral.” I have been here once, after the death of Genevieve, the smartest lady with the most graceful heart I have ever met. The day I made her mine was the day the sun rose in my heart, and the day she died was the coldest.

As I walked into the building with stained windows and a sweet scent of incense, I moved quietly to the last pew where the light was less lucent and I could be at peace with my shadows. The preacher was saying just at the moment, like he knew I was there for a miracle, a message, a map, just about anything that would take this scarring pain away.

“We may be able to speak the languages of human beings and even of angels but if we have no love, our speeches are no more than noisy gongs or clanging bells. We may have the gift of inspired preaching; we may have all knowledge and understand all secrets; we may have all the faith need to move mountains – but if we have no love, we are nothing. We may give away everything we have, and even give up our bodies to be burnt – but if we have no love, these do us no good.”

I felt an inferno sweep through me; this message was almost like it was meant for me. I had grappled with the soreness and misery of losing Genevieve for so long, I could literally feel the muscle tissues of my heart ripped apart. I lost all touch with love, life and people. I had written off lots of my pain in poetry but like a tooth ache, it keeps absorbing into my bones.

The Church bell rang, bringing my wandering soul back to reality. The service was over and the preacher was headed towards the back door. I stood up, looked at my wrist watch; it was 12am – another Valentine’s Day without Genevieve.

Written by : Michael Afenfia

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58 Comments

  1. Odigwe ogochukwu February 1, 2018 at 9:37 pm - Reply

    Nice write-up nne keep it up

  2. Chukwuka Okoro February 1, 2018 at 10:12 pm - Reply

    Kudos! The depiction of his emptiness and loneliness is deep, his sorrows you made alive. I can feel the wave if his mood swim through my pores.

  3. Ephraim Lilian February 1, 2018 at 10:17 pm - Reply

    With ease, I was present in every piece of word, you are awesome friend. Keep it going up.

  4. […] Evanescence by Nneoma Jane Chukwu […]

    • Jeto February 6, 2018 at 8:37 am - Reply

      I believe in you for the ultimate prize.

    • Trinity February 12, 2018 at 5:59 pm - Reply

      I am voting for this wonderful piece.

    • Ajoko February 12, 2018 at 6:01 pm - Reply

      This is the best story of Valentine ever told. i vote you, dear

    • Milicent February 12, 2018 at 6:03 pm - Reply

      I vote this amazing piece.

    • Richard February 12, 2018 at 6:04 pm - Reply

      This is the best story themed with love and in the spirit of valentine. Nice one, Jane.

    • Shalom February 12, 2018 at 6:13 pm - Reply

      This is everything. I feel less alone on valentine, just by reading this.

  5. Muna February 2, 2018 at 9:09 am - Reply

    “We may be able to speak the languages of human beings and even of angels but if we have no love, our speeches are no more than noisy gongs or clanging bells”

    This is deep!

  6. Trixx February 2, 2018 at 9:11 am - Reply

    Wow Jane this is awesome!
    You’re an amazing writer. Keep it up!!

  7. Zorah February 2, 2018 at 10:49 am - Reply

    Kudos!
    Nice piece

  8. Noella Chirotam February 2, 2018 at 11:43 am - Reply

    This is just wonderful. Nice work Jane

  9. Millicent Louis February 2, 2018 at 12:50 pm - Reply

    I lost all touch with love, life and people. I had written off lots of my pain in poetry but like a tooth ache, it keeps absorbing into my bones..
    Jane ur such an awesome and a great writer. Keep it up

  10. Chidi Dominic February 2, 2018 at 1:26 pm - Reply

    great work Jane

  11. Ebele February 2, 2018 at 2:56 pm - Reply

    This is just so beautiful..!!!!

  12. Geraldine February 2, 2018 at 3:02 pm - Reply

    Spectacular!!
    Kudos Jane..!

  13. Ogee February 2, 2018 at 3:19 pm - Reply

    This is simply amazing babe. Well done!!!

  14. Emmanuella February 2, 2018 at 6:44 pm - Reply

    Wow , awesome

  15. Stripes February 3, 2018 at 7:51 am - Reply

    You anchored the need for love into each statement, you are a fantastic writer and you define the nostalgia of loss and the value of Love
    Good work

  16. Tola February 3, 2018 at 8:00 am - Reply

    This is a very nice piece, well drilled thoughts. Keep it up

  17. Rita February 3, 2018 at 1:07 pm - Reply

    This is so amazing. You nailed it by every second. Good stuff.

  18. Barbara February 3, 2018 at 1:09 pm - Reply

    Awww! This got me deep. It was Valentine’s day again, without Genevieve.

  19. Frances February 3, 2018 at 1:11 pm - Reply

    If I have the whole 50k with me, I would give them to you…. Yes, I read your poem too. Great talent, young lady.

  20. Ogechi February 3, 2018 at 1:13 pm - Reply

    This is as beautiful as your soul. Still amazes me how you can write in any character or gender and still rock the boat. Nice

  21. Geraldine February 3, 2018 at 1:15 pm - Reply

    Evanescence…. The meaning of the title you chose for this fiction scored points on it before the story itself. I vote

  22. Wale February 3, 2018 at 1:17 pm - Reply

    Jane!!!
    If you don’t get this accolade, there would definitely be more to come. You deserve this spot & that poetry. Seen your IG. Great!

  23. Zyzah February 3, 2018 at 4:44 pm - Reply

    So Melancholic. I love the way the words dripped of Melancholy.
    Loosing a loved one is such a tragedy.

  24. Ralph February 3, 2018 at 8:30 pm - Reply

    This is a great piece of art

  25. Nimi February 3, 2018 at 10:20 pm - Reply

    This is too deep. Got my soul

  26. Gab February 3, 2018 at 10:22 pm - Reply

    I read this 3 times. I would be alone on Val’s day. Now I don’t feel much alone

  27. Favour February 3, 2018 at 10:23 pm - Reply

    Too deep, Jane.
    Just too deep.

  28. Max February 3, 2018 at 10:24 pm - Reply

    This is yours to win.

  29. Perky February 3, 2018 at 10:26 pm - Reply

    I vote with the rest. This deserves it all.

  30. Isaac February 3, 2018 at 10:27 pm - Reply

    I vote Jane…

  31. Cosmo February 3, 2018 at 10:28 pm - Reply

    Good stuff!! I vote & vote again.

  32. Jacob February 3, 2018 at 10:30 pm - Reply

    I vote Jane for the win & nothing more. You’ve got writing magic.

  33. Dominic February 5, 2018 at 12:16 pm - Reply

    Wow.. This is awesome Jane!

  34. Adaeze February 5, 2018 at 12:17 pm - Reply

    This is one of the realest piece I’ve read in a while.

  35. Emmanuella February 5, 2018 at 12:19 pm - Reply

    You’re an amazing writer Jane. This gave me chills.

  36. Kendra February 5, 2018 at 12:21 pm - Reply

    I had to read over and over again. This is breathtaking

  37. Linda Udeh February 5, 2018 at 12:23 pm - Reply

    Someone shared the link to me and recommended I read this and I must say I’m really impressed. Bravo writer Jane!

  38. Nneoma February 5, 2018 at 12:24 pm - Reply

    Wow Jane I never knew you could write like this. I’m now your biggest fan!

  39. Stella February 5, 2018 at 12:26 pm - Reply

    This is so amazing. I’m voting for you.

  40. bibian February 5, 2018 at 8:39 pm - Reply

    This is epic & nostalgic. Nice one girl

  41. Frederica February 5, 2018 at 8:41 pm - Reply

    I love this a lot. You go, girl

  42. Ogochukwu February 5, 2018 at 8:42 pm - Reply

    This is simply amazing.

  43. Chiamaka February 5, 2018 at 8:43 pm - Reply

    I love this piece of art. Just…. Haaaa, my heart! I vote you

  44. Amaka February 5, 2018 at 8:44 pm - Reply

    I vote this particular piece!

  45. Ogo February 5, 2018 at 8:45 pm - Reply

    You will be the next Shonda Rhimes…
    Wow

  46. Ifeoma February 5, 2018 at 8:47 pm - Reply

    I wish I can vote this a 100 times.

  47. Ijeoma February 5, 2018 at 8:48 pm - Reply

    I really do hope you have books published with your names on them. I vote you

  48. Chisom February 5, 2018 at 8:49 pm - Reply

    I love this. It’s just perfect for Valentine’s day.

  49. Antonette February 5, 2018 at 8:50 pm - Reply

    Your entry made the both category?! Why not just take the 50k already! I vote you

  50. Loveth February 5, 2018 at 8:53 pm - Reply

    My best choice so far. I vote you

  51. Judith February 5, 2018 at 8:54 pm - Reply

    Jane for the win. Jane for the art. Jane for the unveiling. Nice one

  52. Jane Queen February 12, 2018 at 8:21 pm - Reply

    This is simply the best. I vote this.

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