I am no Prince of Serendip
My life is not a Persian fairy tale
Life, generally, is not a fairy tale.
But from this day my heart will always skip
A beat and I know this much is true
'Cause I wasn't looking, yet I found you
You are Serendipity
Monday, 3 August 2015
Sunday, 3 May 2015
WEEKEND SPECIAL: INFIDELITY By Jerry Okooboh (O'Jerry)
He lies and lies
He goes out to her,
Takes off his tie,
Bares his thighs,
And with her he amorously lies;
He lies and lies
Then returns home at night to wife,
Stares her in the eyes and lies,
And with wife also he lies;
He lies and lies
What a life!
He goes out to her,
Takes off his tie,
Bares his thighs,
And with her he amorously lies;
He lies and lies
Then returns home at night to wife,
Stares her in the eyes and lies,
And with wife also he lies;
He lies and lies
What a life!
Thursday, 30 April 2015
DEJA VU By Esther Esuga
It feels like I have felt this before
This same feeling like I have an open sore
For it was this same time last year
And here I stand again as I shed a tear
The same spark, zeal, prospects and fire
The same grief, pain and sinking quagmire
There were good times and promises of loyalty
There were times I felt like I was royalty
I felt this same passion and desire
You truly were my heart's one desire
Is this feeling real, is it true?
Or is this another feeling of deja vu?
Answer me for I cannot tell
'Cause all of these ring a bell
FOOTNOTE:
Of past and present hurt. Of past and present joy.
This same feeling like I have an open sore
For it was this same time last year
And here I stand again as I shed a tear
The same spark, zeal, prospects and fire
The same grief, pain and sinking quagmire
There were good times and promises of loyalty
There were times I felt like I was royalty
I felt this same passion and desire
You truly were my heart's one desire
Is this feeling real, is it true?
Or is this another feeling of deja vu?
Answer me for I cannot tell
'Cause all of these ring a bell
FOOTNOTE:
Of past and present hurt. Of past and present joy.
Saturday, 25 April 2015
WEEKEND SPECIAL: MIRAGE OF HOPE By Princess Roli Ovrawah
Quickly, everything changes
Just like day into night.
Laughter-filled moments
Suddenly,
Filled with screams and tears.
Languished, the brown earth turns red.
Changes! Solutions! Answers!
They scream
Hope, perhaps, they offer.
No change at all,
All a mirage of hope.
Looking on helplessly, hoping and waiting
For an image of change, solution, answers
And hope, perhaps.
Just like day into night.
Laughter-filled moments
Suddenly,
Filled with screams and tears.
Languished, the brown earth turns red.
Changes! Solutions! Answers!
They scream
Hope, perhaps, they offer.
No change at all,
All a mirage of hope.
Looking on helplessly, hoping and waiting
For an image of change, solution, answers
And hope, perhaps.
Thursday, 23 April 2015
FEAR By; Esther Esuga
Fear
Not daring
Zero level of confidence
A HOME for buried possibilities
Negative.
Not daring
Zero level of confidence
A HOME for buried possibilities
Negative.
Wednesday, 22 April 2015
FAITH By Ozioma Ogbaji
Faith
Unwavering assurance
Believing, trusting, hoping
The absence of doubt
Conviction
#CinquainPoetry
Unwavering assurance
Believing, trusting, hoping
The absence of doubt
Conviction
#CinquainPoetry
MY DREAM FOR NIGERIA (A Glimpse Into The Future) By Esther Esuga
Several images are fashioned in my heart; I carry them every day, everywhere I go. A.P.J Abdul Kalam says: ‘Dreams are not those you have while sleeping, but those that don’t let you sleep.’
I see a place where education would be of excellent standard. Products of our educational system can match that of any other system in the world. It is going to be a place where every child would have the right to education. Children and young adults would not be found on the streets hawking assorted goods while their contemporaries in other parts of the world are probably in class receiving lectures. The place I see is such that there would be seasoned teachers engaged in our educational sector, having conducive classes for learning, laboratories and libraries with basic equipment and materials for learning.
My dream for my country is to have a home where lack of power would become history. We won’t have our infants become comfortable to sleep despite the noise and air pollution that emanates from the use of generators. I dream of a home where constant power supply would become a huge boost to infant and established industries, resulting into low cost of production.
I see that peace would be personified in Nigeria. The subject matter of crisis ranging from religious to political matters would not exist hence, causing restriction in terms of movement. People can freely travel from one geo-political zone to another. I see a situation where families can afford to have low fences and sit in front of their houses and chat as they watch people pass by without fear. People can park their cars in front of shopping malls, churches, mosques, on the streets and are not anxious to return because the longer they stay away the higher the chances of them losing their cars to robbers.
I wish to see a Nigeria where her youths would be gainfully employed for skilled and unskilled labour and would not be denied their due wages and salaries respectively. The imagery of youths roaming the streets of Nigeria with files containing their certificates would be a thing of the past as they would become engaged constructively.
Just as Abraham Lincoln defines democracy as a” government of the people, by the people, for the people”, it’s my desire for every citizen to experience good governance. To have an administration that is ready to serve its citizens, loyal and accountable to their people. Leaders that would be true representatives of the people, it is pertinent they listen to their people and relate as partners in progress.
My dream for my country is endless. I am determined to contribute my quota in making Nigeria a better place. I desire to stand for truth, follow due process, respect the laws and support the spirit of positive activism to push Nigeria forward. I want to make a difference. I see a Nigeria that will flourish!!!
I see a place where education would be of excellent standard. Products of our educational system can match that of any other system in the world. It is going to be a place where every child would have the right to education. Children and young adults would not be found on the streets hawking assorted goods while their contemporaries in other parts of the world are probably in class receiving lectures. The place I see is such that there would be seasoned teachers engaged in our educational sector, having conducive classes for learning, laboratories and libraries with basic equipment and materials for learning.
My dream for my country is to have a home where lack of power would become history. We won’t have our infants become comfortable to sleep despite the noise and air pollution that emanates from the use of generators. I dream of a home where constant power supply would become a huge boost to infant and established industries, resulting into low cost of production.
I see that peace would be personified in Nigeria. The subject matter of crisis ranging from religious to political matters would not exist hence, causing restriction in terms of movement. People can freely travel from one geo-political zone to another. I see a situation where families can afford to have low fences and sit in front of their houses and chat as they watch people pass by without fear. People can park their cars in front of shopping malls, churches, mosques, on the streets and are not anxious to return because the longer they stay away the higher the chances of them losing their cars to robbers.
I wish to see a Nigeria where her youths would be gainfully employed for skilled and unskilled labour and would not be denied their due wages and salaries respectively. The imagery of youths roaming the streets of Nigeria with files containing their certificates would be a thing of the past as they would become engaged constructively.
Just as Abraham Lincoln defines democracy as a” government of the people, by the people, for the people”, it’s my desire for every citizen to experience good governance. To have an administration that is ready to serve its citizens, loyal and accountable to their people. Leaders that would be true representatives of the people, it is pertinent they listen to their people and relate as partners in progress.
My dream for my country is endless. I am determined to contribute my quota in making Nigeria a better place. I desire to stand for truth, follow due process, respect the laws and support the spirit of positive activism to push Nigeria forward. I want to make a difference. I see a Nigeria that will flourish!!!
Tuesday, 21 April 2015
YOUR SMILE By Ozioma Ogbaji
It is the smile in your eyes
Not the curve of your lips
The truth of that smile never lies
It is like light after an eclipse
It brings life to my bones
It awakens my hormones
That smile in your eyes
The smile that never lies
The smile that is tender
Its charms to which I surrender
As it draws you close to my heart
Like magnet to metal, glue to art
Your smile taught me how to smile
Your smile; I hope it stays for a while
Not the curve of your lips
The truth of that smile never lies
It is like light after an eclipse
It brings life to my bones
It awakens my hormones
That smile in your eyes
The smile that never lies
The smile that is tender
Its charms to which I surrender
As it draws you close to my heart
Like magnet to metal, glue to art
Your smile taught me how to smile
Your smile; I hope it stays for a while
Monday, 20 April 2015
MORNING By Ozioma Ogbaji
In the morning, everything is new
Birds sing as black slowly turns blue
In the morning, a new me is awakened
My faith is stronger and my fears are taken
My fears are taken by morning's rebirth
Fresh as the dew clinging to my feet
In the morning, there is a new me to meet
Whom the blinding night has deemed fit to birth
In the morning, my flaws are still the same
Like the yellow sun, everyday like flame
In the morning, I realise my mistakes
And I know better what is at stake
In the morning, I let go of the night
I let go of the dark, I embrace the light
In the morning, my eyes are brighter
My dance is better, my laugh is lighter
My smile is warmer, my kiss is softer
My hug is closer, my speech has no stutter
It is a good morning for I am a new me
Awakened, refreshed, new, free
FOOTNOTE
"Morning" here can be likened to the moment of self-realization
Birds sing as black slowly turns blue
In the morning, a new me is awakened
My faith is stronger and my fears are taken
My fears are taken by morning's rebirth
Fresh as the dew clinging to my feet
In the morning, there is a new me to meet
Whom the blinding night has deemed fit to birth
In the morning, my flaws are still the same
Like the yellow sun, everyday like flame
In the morning, I realise my mistakes
And I know better what is at stake
In the morning, I let go of the night
I let go of the dark, I embrace the light
In the morning, my eyes are brighter
My dance is better, my laugh is lighter
My smile is warmer, my kiss is softer
My hug is closer, my speech has no stutter
It is a good morning for I am a new me
Awakened, refreshed, new, free
FOOTNOTE
"Morning" here can be likened to the moment of self-realization
Sunday, 19 April 2015
WEEKEND SPECIAL: A LETTER TO A CHILDHOOD FRIEND II (Inspired By A True Life Event) By Olu Jacobs
I have lost myself in DREAMING
I still spend moments alone without MEANING
It's been 17years, 11months since we both LEFT
Our childhood memories is all that is LEFT
I still have you in my photographic memory, yes I REMEMBER
But I did not get a touch from you in SEPTEMBER
Each thought I have of you makes a fallen angel
And every step they make back only makes them human
This isn't what I want, so I think of us in dreams
I am only a poet, I was born this way
This isn't a love poem, it only show us the way
I once waited for you yesterday to COME
But now we still go our separate ways in TURN
I am sending this poem into the open sky TODAY
Click into my heart if only you want a PLAY
I have lost myself in DREAMING
I still spend moments alone without MEANING
Memoir of a childhood friend
FOOTNOTE
This poem was written
1st December, 2010
At about 3am
I still spend moments alone without MEANING
It's been 17years, 11months since we both LEFT
Our childhood memories is all that is LEFT
I still have you in my photographic memory, yes I REMEMBER
But I did not get a touch from you in SEPTEMBER
Each thought I have of you makes a fallen angel
And every step they make back only makes them human
This isn't what I want, so I think of us in dreams
I am only a poet, I was born this way
This isn't a love poem, it only show us the way
I once waited for you yesterday to COME
But now we still go our separate ways in TURN
I am sending this poem into the open sky TODAY
Click into my heart if only you want a PLAY
I have lost myself in DREAMING
I still spend moments alone without MEANING
Memoir of a childhood friend
FOOTNOTE
This poem was written
1st December, 2010
At about 3am
WEEKEND SPECIAL: A LETTER TO A CHILDHOOD FRIEND I (Inspired By A True Life Event) By Olu Jacobs
Memoir of a childhood still FLOWS
And I am in between a thin red line, only God KNOWS
I whisper without a voice in the rainy DAYS
I am thinking of us in so many WAYS
Since we were lost, it's been 16years, 3months, 2weeks, 9hours, 37seconds, for all I REMEMBER
But when you finally do, please wake me up in SEPTEMBER
Dear friend, this is a letter to YOU
And a reflection of my heart in BLUE
Tell ZOBEZE LISA I was there when you were BORN
And poetry is the only reason I BURN
FOOTNOTE:
This poem was written
17th April, 2009
At 11:40pm
(Dates are very important to me)
And I am in between a thin red line, only God KNOWS
I whisper without a voice in the rainy DAYS
I am thinking of us in so many WAYS
Since we were lost, it's been 16years, 3months, 2weeks, 9hours, 37seconds, for all I REMEMBER
But when you finally do, please wake me up in SEPTEMBER
Dear friend, this is a letter to YOU
And a reflection of my heart in BLUE
Tell ZOBEZE LISA I was there when you were BORN
And poetry is the only reason I BURN
FOOTNOTE:
This poem was written
17th April, 2009
At 11:40pm
(Dates are very important to me)
KISSES By Esther Esuga
Kisses
Lips , tongue
Reaching , moving, locking
Kisses are simply mesmerizing
French
#CinquainPoetry
Lips , tongue
Reaching , moving, locking
Kisses are simply mesmerizing
French
#CinquainPoetry
WEEKEND SPECIAL: 2 SIDES OF A COIN By Clement Aghedo
Flip me up and I land on a side
Will it be the good or the bad; do you mind?
Ravaging thoughts engulf my soul
But still I think bliss and debunk the heart of coal
I am I who is not me
I have the eyes which you do not see
Am I black?
Am I white?
Am I sour like a bottle of red wine?
Flip me up and I land on a side
Will it be on my face, what if on my
back?
Hades or Zeus, either way I'm a god
Villain or victor, I'll still get an applaud
All there is, is not all that is
But all it is gives gives way to all that will be
If there was no hate, we wouldn't need love
If there was no devil, would we have God?
What if right was wrong and wrong was right?
Would killing be fun and darkness be light?
What if Isis was The Church and The Roman Catholic a terrorist group?
Would The Pope against Obama plan a coup?
There are two sides of a coin
YOU CHOOSE...
Will it be the good or the bad; do you mind?
Ravaging thoughts engulf my soul
But still I think bliss and debunk the heart of coal
I am I who is not me
I have the eyes which you do not see
Am I black?
Am I white?
Am I sour like a bottle of red wine?
Flip me up and I land on a side
Will it be on my face, what if on my
back?
Hades or Zeus, either way I'm a god
Villain or victor, I'll still get an applaud
All there is, is not all that is
But all it is gives gives way to all that will be
If there was no hate, we wouldn't need love
If there was no devil, would we have God?
What if right was wrong and wrong was right?
Would killing be fun and darkness be light?
What if Isis was The Church and The Roman Catholic a terrorist group?
Would The Pope against Obama plan a coup?
There are two sides of a coin
YOU CHOOSE...
WEEKEND SPECIAL: THE FIREFLY By Jerry Okooboh (O'Jerry)
I dreamt a dream and in it everything was nothing
And the thickness of the darkness was daunting
I craved a knife to cut through the palpable darkness
So I could move an inch, but it was like a mile's vastness
Then suddenly in this nothingness I saw him
His luminous self lighting up my black dream
He was a firefly and his light brought respite to my aching eyes
"My name is Hope" he said, as my eyes grew bigger with surprise
..................................................................................
She has my heart but another's got hers
Not the firefly please, I mean the fair lass
When I had my chance, perhaps I lagged
But that other swooped in and his he grabbed
Instead of racing against time I would stand
Because I thought in my hourglass I had sand
But as I would painfully find out and for which I now suffer
All the while, my hourglass in it had water
When I spoke to her, she told me she was spoken for
Now the pain in my heart has become an open sore
And I feel hard done-by by time, distance and fate
Alas! All is lost! All is gone and all I feel for her must abate
But the firefly taught me about the light at every tunnel's end
"No white flags yet" he said; "In me you have a friend"
He said to hold on to him and no more in the darkness grope
He said to hold on to the glimmer on his butt and never let go of "Hope"
And the thickness of the darkness was daunting
I craved a knife to cut through the palpable darkness
So I could move an inch, but it was like a mile's vastness
Then suddenly in this nothingness I saw him
His luminous self lighting up my black dream
He was a firefly and his light brought respite to my aching eyes
"My name is Hope" he said, as my eyes grew bigger with surprise
..................................................................................
She has my heart but another's got hers
Not the firefly please, I mean the fair lass
When I had my chance, perhaps I lagged
But that other swooped in and his he grabbed
Instead of racing against time I would stand
Because I thought in my hourglass I had sand
But as I would painfully find out and for which I now suffer
All the while, my hourglass in it had water
When I spoke to her, she told me she was spoken for
Now the pain in my heart has become an open sore
And I feel hard done-by by time, distance and fate
Alas! All is lost! All is gone and all I feel for her must abate
But the firefly taught me about the light at every tunnel's end
"No white flags yet" he said; "In me you have a friend"
He said to hold on to him and no more in the darkness grope
He said to hold on to the glimmer on his butt and never let go of "Hope"
Friday, 17 April 2015
LIGHT By Ozioma Ogbaji
Light
Brilliant vision
Illuminating, enlightening, empowering
Light is beautifully radiant
Vivid
#CinquainPoetry
Brilliant vision
Illuminating, enlightening, empowering
Light is beautifully radiant
Vivid
#CinquainPoetry
Thursday, 16 April 2015
OF A CERTAIN PLACE By Ozioma Ogbaji
There is a place where I love to be
A place of serene chaos
Like the unwavering skies in a thunderstorm
This place is in my head
You cannot find it on any map
A place of serene chaos
Like the unwavering skies in a thunderstorm
This place is in my head
You cannot find it on any map
WHERE IS THE GLIMPSE II By Esther Esuga
The glimpse is positive
The glimpse is hope
The glimpse is unwavering faith
The glimpse is confidence
The glimpse is perseverance
The glimpse is believing
The glimpse is fighting
The glimpse is calling those wonderful things forth
From the imaginative world as though they are all reality
The glimpse is possible
The glimpse is do-able
The glimpse is here
The glimpse is now
Wednesday, 15 April 2015
FOR YOU By Ozioma Ogbaji
You are a beautiful star.
Like Sirius on a starry night,
You gloriously shine so bright
And can be seen from afar
You are brave, you are strong
You are wise, though sometimes wrong
You are different, uniquely you
For there is no other quite like you
Your mind, your pride
Your eyes, your stride;
And more, make you YOU
I hope you accept all of you
And as you discover yourself everyday
May you come out beautiful like polished clay
I hope you see what I see in you
For it means nothing if you cannot see it too
Like Sirius on a starry night,
You gloriously shine so bright
And can be seen from afar
You are brave, you are strong
You are wise, though sometimes wrong
You are different, uniquely you
For there is no other quite like you
Your mind, your pride
Your eyes, your stride;
And more, make you YOU
I hope you accept all of you
And as you discover yourself everyday
May you come out beautiful like polished clay
I hope you see what I see in you
For it means nothing if you cannot see it too
WHERE IS THE GLIMPSE I By Esther Esuga
Standing out the thatched hut
I see the seamless closure of the windows
The gloom that I smell is very intense
And I also feel the zero percentage of chance staring at me bluntly
I hear the silent sobbing of the helpless walking down and stilling my nerves
At this point, I am bereft of all form of wisdom and understanding
What can I possibly say to make these ones ever feel elated?
I say to them just hang on, soon...
And they say we have heard that before.
Then, I THOUGHT TO SAY YOU KNOW LIFE IS IN PHASES...
And THEY SAY even that too
It's not a breaking news
Something new walked on the platform of my thoughts
Happy I was to bring this...
Then I said it can only get better ...
They all cut in and asked
WHERE IS THE GLIMPSE ?
Sunday, 12 April 2015
WEEKEND SPECIAL: CREATIVITY By Doyle Fitzpatrick
Creativity is something no one can live without
Creativity is expressing yourself without a doubt
Creativity is how you dress and how you walk
Creativity is how you think and how you talk
Creativity is your soul's mentor
Creativity is your imagination taking you on an adventure
Creativity is the difference from old and new
Creativity is what is original inside of you
CREDIT
Creativity is expressing yourself without a doubt
Creativity is how you dress and how you walk
Creativity is how you think and how you talk
Creativity is your soul's mentor
Creativity is your imagination taking you on an adventure
Creativity is the difference from old and new
Creativity is what is original inside of you
CREDIT
WEEKEND SPECIAL: GIVE ME SOMETHING By Linz
Give me a laugh
Give me a cry
Give me a sweet sigh
Give me anger
Give me love
Give me that slight little shove
Give me emotion
Give me fun
Give me something that makes me hum
Give me life
Give me inspiration
Give me a hopeful temptation
Give me a choice
Give me a fight
Give me something on this cold windy night
Anything would be better than this emotionless fog you always leave me with
CREDIT
Give me a cry
Give me a sweet sigh
Give me anger
Give me love
Give me that slight little shove
Give me emotion
Give me fun
Give me something that makes me hum
Give me life
Give me inspiration
Give me a hopeful temptation
Give me a choice
Give me a fight
Give me something on this cold windy night
Anything would be better than this emotionless fog you always leave me with
CREDIT
WEEKEND SPECIAL: TO A MAN By Maya Angelou
My man is Black Golden Amber Changing.
Warm mouths of Brandy Fine
Cautious sunlight on a patterned rug
Coughing laughter, rocked on a whirl of
French tobacco
Graceful turns on woolen stilts secretive?
A cat's eye.
Southern, Plump and tender with navy bean sullenness
And did I say Tender?
The gentleness
A big cat stalks through stubborn bush
And did I mention Amber?
The heatless fire consuming itself.
Again. Anew. Into ever neverlessness.
My man is Amber
Changing
Always into itself
New. Now new
Still itself.
Still
Warm mouths of Brandy Fine
Cautious sunlight on a patterned rug
Coughing laughter, rocked on a whirl of
French tobacco
Graceful turns on woolen stilts secretive?
A cat's eye.
Southern, Plump and tender with navy bean sullenness
And did I say Tender?
The gentleness
A big cat stalks through stubborn bush
And did I mention Amber?
The heatless fire consuming itself.
Again. Anew. Into ever neverlessness.
My man is Amber
Changing
Always into itself
New. Now new
Still itself.
Still
WEEKEND SPECIAL: I WILL PRONOUNCE YOUR NAME By Leopold Sedar Senghor
I will pronounce your name, Naett, I will declaaim you, Naett!
Naett, your name is like cinnamon, it is the
Fragrance in which the lemon grove sleeps
Naett, your name is the sugared clarity of blooming coffee trees
And it resembles the savannah, that blossoms forth
Under the masculine ardour of the midday sun
Name of dew, fresher than shadows of tamarind,
Fresher even than the short dusk, when the heat of the day is silenced
Naett, that is the dry tornado, the hard clap of lightning
Naett, coin of gold, shinning coal, you are my night, my sun
I am your hero, and now I have become your sorcerer
In order to pronounce your names.
Princess of Elissa, banished from Futa on the fateful day
Naett, your name is like cinnamon, it is the
Fragrance in which the lemon grove sleeps
Naett, your name is the sugared clarity of blooming coffee trees
And it resembles the savannah, that blossoms forth
Under the masculine ardour of the midday sun
Name of dew, fresher than shadows of tamarind,
Fresher even than the short dusk, when the heat of the day is silenced
Naett, that is the dry tornado, the hard clap of lightning
Naett, coin of gold, shinning coal, you are my night, my sun
I am your hero, and now I have become your sorcerer
In order to pronounce your names.
Princess of Elissa, banished from Futa on the fateful day
Friday, 10 April 2015
CAGED By Ozioma Ogbaji
On every side was a wall of thick mesh
And in the middle she was sitting in her chair of mesh
What is out there beyond these walls?
What if her visions of the world outside were false?
She was caged
She grew tired of her little house of mesh
She wondered if her wings were for something else
What if I could get on the other side?
What if my wings were not made just to beautify?
She wondered
One touch and her house of mesh gave way
She stepped out and was greeted by the sun rays
Then she slipped, for her house was high up on a tree
She was falling; this must be the end of me
She cried
Suddenly, she noticed others with wings like hers
Why weren't they falling and crashing?
Then it dawned on her and she spread her wings
And for the first time she made use of hers
She could fly
And so began a new life for her
The world she dreamed of was right before her
She found herself, she found her wings, she learned to fly
She lived her dream, she soared up high
She was free
And in the middle she was sitting in her chair of mesh
What is out there beyond these walls?
What if her visions of the world outside were false?
She was caged
She grew tired of her little house of mesh
She wondered if her wings were for something else
What if I could get on the other side?
What if my wings were not made just to beautify?
She wondered
One touch and her house of mesh gave way
She stepped out and was greeted by the sun rays
Then she slipped, for her house was high up on a tree
She was falling; this must be the end of me
She cried
Suddenly, she noticed others with wings like hers
Why weren't they falling and crashing?
Then it dawned on her and she spread her wings
And for the first time she made use of hers
She could fly
And so began a new life for her
The world she dreamed of was right before her
She found herself, she found her wings, she learned to fly
She lived her dream, she soared up high
She was free
LIFE'S PARALLELS By Ozioma Ogbaji
What is joy without sorrow?
What is peace without war?
What is wisdom without foolishness?
What is happiness without sadness?
What is hope without doubt?
What is a whisper without a shout?
What is trust without the lack of it?
What is faith without fear?
What is truth without lies?
What is success without failure?
What is wealth without poverty?
What is freedom without slavery?
What is the good without the bad?
What is light without the dark?
What is love without hate?
What is life without death?
We are fortunate to know life's parallels
We are fortunate to have the power to choose
What is peace without war?
What is wisdom without foolishness?
What is happiness without sadness?
What is hope without doubt?
What is a whisper without a shout?
What is trust without the lack of it?
What is faith without fear?
What is truth without lies?
What is success without failure?
What is wealth without poverty?
What is freedom without slavery?
What is the good without the bad?
What is light without the dark?
What is love without hate?
What is life without death?
We are fortunate to know life's parallels
We are fortunate to have the power to choose
Thursday, 9 April 2015
UNTAMED By Esther Esuga
A roller-coaster on a velocity that is totally uncontrollable
A fire that ignites, goes out of bounds and wipes the greens away
Usually very brief yet highly intense
Like a downpour of rain which should bring blessings
But, ironically destroys all the lovely, attractive and historic structures
That took one almost a lifetime to build
Very easy to wreck; its destruction almost impossible to re-build such fondness
What could have been averted just within a split second
Alas!
It stings so deep that such wounds are nursed almost for a lifetime
When we already spoilt a supposed pleasant supper
Realization comes in
What often times could have been avoided
We allow ourselves to wallow in such myopic feelings of the moment
And allow it to bring out the foolishness in us.
A fire that ignites, goes out of bounds and wipes the greens away
Usually very brief yet highly intense
Like a downpour of rain which should bring blessings
But, ironically destroys all the lovely, attractive and historic structures
That took one almost a lifetime to build
Very easy to wreck; its destruction almost impossible to re-build such fondness
What could have been averted just within a split second
Alas!
It stings so deep that such wounds are nursed almost for a lifetime
When we already spoilt a supposed pleasant supper
Realization comes in
What often times could have been avoided
We allow ourselves to wallow in such myopic feelings of the moment
And allow it to bring out the foolishness in us.
SHOW ME A FAITHFUL STEWARD By Esther Esuga
Diligent in his responsibilities
Takes great delight in life's little gifts
Remembers the days of humble beginnings and never haughty in spirit
Handles his only talent with great enthusiasm
Does not feel that bravery lies in the act of insults
A faithful steward
Has respect for people placed in the position of power and authority
One who is meek and open to corrections
Hungry for wise counsel
Never ungrateful because of his understanding of the circle of life
He knows, PEOPLE ALWAYS NEED PEOPLE.
A faithful steward
Takes great delight in life's little gifts
Remembers the days of humble beginnings and never haughty in spirit
Handles his only talent with great enthusiasm
Does not feel that bravery lies in the act of insults
A faithful steward
Has respect for people placed in the position of power and authority
One who is meek and open to corrections
Hungry for wise counsel
Never ungrateful because of his understanding of the circle of life
He knows, PEOPLE ALWAYS NEED PEOPLE.
A faithful steward
Sunday, 5 April 2015
WEEKEND SPECIAL: MY CLEAN SHEET By Kagbure Sammy Oluwatosin
When I was young at about three,
My Mother gave me a clean Sheet
Clean Without
Spotless like a silverwool
Crystal like snow
She handed me a sharpened pencil
My baby , she said, write your story
Happy me, but naive,
Innocence was my initials
So,I began to write
Stories my poor mother could not read
Stories in pencils, Sometimes jagons that cannot be deciphered
I was happy because it had made my day
My poor mother protested, yet accepted it as child's play
O baby! What did you do to your clean sheet?
I laughed and thought my mother did not know anything
Fast forward the even, about twenty years after,
My poor mother in her fifties brought
Out my supposed clean sheet
I asked where its from
Asked who has the jagons
No mother , that can be my handwriting
She laughed just like I did twenty years ago
Mother, why did you allow me to
Write jagons on my clean sheet?
She chuckled in silence
You filled with the song of innocence
I wanted to guide you but you
Insisted it must be your own way!
I bent and began to wail
Wailed like never before
I wrote my story haphazardly
In my youthfberance, I was consumed
Then I asked, Mother, what can be done?
She handed me a cleaner
Its high time you cleaned your sheet
And rewrite your story
Then I began to clean-up
Days gone by, I was still cleaning
Months came around, I thought its almost finished
Until years passed when I realised my big mess
I am still cleaning! I am still cleaning!
When would my jagons finally be erased?
I wanted to rewrite my story on my clean sheet
But the sheet is rough and dirty
Mother , please help, I cried!
She could not because old age has knocked
Her eyes gone and could barely walk
Mother please don't leave me like this until she bought a farm
My sheet is still with me
The more I cleaned , the dirtier and complicated
O my sheet, why do you have to be so dirty?
I wish I could turn around the hand
Of time when mother was there,
O baby , dont write that way
Not on the margin my dear,
You have to dot your I's ans cross your T's
Your spelling is not good ,why not this way!
Your arithmetic assignment you are yet to do
O mother , I will attend to it later
Because I need to have fun with my friends
Now , its getting late, am still cleaning
Who would help me out has been
My cry for thirty years!
Written By; Kagbure Sammy Oluwatosin
My Mother gave me a clean Sheet
Clean Without
Spotless like a silverwool
Crystal like snow
She handed me a sharpened pencil
My baby , she said, write your story
Happy me, but naive,
Innocence was my initials
So,I began to write
Stories my poor mother could not read
Stories in pencils, Sometimes jagons that cannot be deciphered
I was happy because it had made my day
My poor mother protested, yet accepted it as child's play
O baby! What did you do to your clean sheet?
I laughed and thought my mother did not know anything
Fast forward the even, about twenty years after,
My poor mother in her fifties brought
Out my supposed clean sheet
I asked where its from
Asked who has the jagons
No mother , that can be my handwriting
She laughed just like I did twenty years ago
Mother, why did you allow me to
Write jagons on my clean sheet?
She chuckled in silence
You filled with the song of innocence
I wanted to guide you but you
Insisted it must be your own way!
I bent and began to wail
Wailed like never before
I wrote my story haphazardly
In my youthfberance, I was consumed
Then I asked, Mother, what can be done?
She handed me a cleaner
Its high time you cleaned your sheet
And rewrite your story
Then I began to clean-up
Days gone by, I was still cleaning
Months came around, I thought its almost finished
Until years passed when I realised my big mess
I am still cleaning! I am still cleaning!
When would my jagons finally be erased?
I wanted to rewrite my story on my clean sheet
But the sheet is rough and dirty
Mother , please help, I cried!
She could not because old age has knocked
Her eyes gone and could barely walk
Mother please don't leave me like this until she bought a farm
My sheet is still with me
The more I cleaned , the dirtier and complicated
O my sheet, why do you have to be so dirty?
I wish I could turn around the hand
Of time when mother was there,
O baby , dont write that way
Not on the margin my dear,
You have to dot your I's ans cross your T's
Your spelling is not good ,why not this way!
Your arithmetic assignment you are yet to do
O mother , I will attend to it later
Because I need to have fun with my friends
Now , its getting late, am still cleaning
Who would help me out has been
My cry for thirty years!
Written By; Kagbure Sammy Oluwatosin
Saturday, 4 April 2015
WEEKEND SPECIAL: LOST BATTLE By Busayomi Alabi
I'm a pawn waging war against an orge
I'm a prisoner enclosed behind this frail wall of flesh
With every passing minute, my grip
Loosened on its flexible crystal pole,
The sensitive flesh of my palm singed
By its illusory gobs of bile,
My arms quake, as if it embodies the very core of chills,
The stoop of my shoulder bled forth
The salty water of fate
My once sturdy feet jellified as I tried
To stomp my way out of this flimsy
Dyke of plumpness
I screamed till my voice went hoarse
I cried till my wail turned to a poignant din
The determination on my face tainted
By the oozing talons of weariness
Mocking my spry effort of freedom
Huffing and puffing, I fought to win
This senseless tug of war
I thought I would get victory
Alas! My heart vanquished me instead.
Written by; Busayomi Alabi
I'm a prisoner enclosed behind this frail wall of flesh
With every passing minute, my grip
Loosened on its flexible crystal pole,
The sensitive flesh of my palm singed
By its illusory gobs of bile,
My arms quake, as if it embodies the very core of chills,
The stoop of my shoulder bled forth
The salty water of fate
My once sturdy feet jellified as I tried
To stomp my way out of this flimsy
Dyke of plumpness
I screamed till my voice went hoarse
I cried till my wail turned to a poignant din
The determination on my face tainted
By the oozing talons of weariness
Mocking my spry effort of freedom
Huffing and puffing, I fought to win
This senseless tug of war
I thought I would get victory
Alas! My heart vanquished me instead.
Written by; Busayomi Alabi
WEEKEND SPECIAL: PHENOMENAL WOMAN By Maya Angelou
Pretty women wonder where my secret lies
I'm not cute or built to fit a fashion model's size
But when I start to tell them,
They think I'm telling lies
I say,
It's in the reach of my arms,
The span of my hips,
The stride of my steps,
The curl of my lips.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.
I walk into a room
Just as cool as you please,
And to a man,
The fellows stand or
Fall down on their knees.
Then they swarm around me,
A hive of honey bees.
I say,
It's the fire in my eyes,
And the flash of my teeth,
The swing in my waist,
And the joy in my feet.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally
Phenomenal woman,
That's me
Men themselves have wondered
What they see in me
They try so much
But they can't touch
My inner mystery
When I try to show them
They say they still can't see.
I say,
It's in the arch of my back,
The sun of my smile,
The ride of my breasts,
The grace of my style.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally
Phenomenal woman,
That's me
Now you understand
Just why my head's not bowed
I don't shout or jump about
Or have to talk real loud
When you see me passing,
It ought to make you proud
I say,
It's in the click of my heels,
The bend of my hair,
The palm of my hand,
The need for my care
'Cause I'm a woman
Phenomenally
Phenomenal woman
That's me
Written by Maya Angelou
I'm not cute or built to fit a fashion model's size
But when I start to tell them,
They think I'm telling lies
I say,
It's in the reach of my arms,
The span of my hips,
The stride of my steps,
The curl of my lips.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.
I walk into a room
Just as cool as you please,
And to a man,
The fellows stand or
Fall down on their knees.
Then they swarm around me,
A hive of honey bees.
I say,
It's the fire in my eyes,
And the flash of my teeth,
The swing in my waist,
And the joy in my feet.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally
Phenomenal woman,
That's me
Men themselves have wondered
What they see in me
They try so much
But they can't touch
My inner mystery
When I try to show them
They say they still can't see.
I say,
It's in the arch of my back,
The sun of my smile,
The ride of my breasts,
The grace of my style.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally
Phenomenal woman,
That's me
Now you understand
Just why my head's not bowed
I don't shout or jump about
Or have to talk real loud
When you see me passing,
It ought to make you proud
I say,
It's in the click of my heels,
The bend of my hair,
The palm of my hand,
The need for my care
'Cause I'm a woman
Phenomenally
Phenomenal woman
That's me
Written by Maya Angelou
WEEKEND SPECIAL: NOW THAT WE ARE THERE By Abdullahi Akanbi
NOW THAT WE ARE THERE, Baba, where do we go from here?
First, I congratulate you on the keenly contested election and of course, the most expensive the country has ever seen.
The victory, however, is not yours. The victory belongs to the Nigerian masses. The victory belongs to the ordinary Nigerian on the street.
Let not forget so soon, the honourable way the outgoing president carried himself. Even though many take the words of politicians with a pinch of salt. I for one want to believe he meant every one of those words. He will be remembered for the heroic deed.
For those who think my country, Nigeria, will fall after the presidential. Condolences!
For those who wish to disrupt the present peace we are enjoying.
Condolences!
Now, let's face it. Nigerians took records of all you promised. Thanks to you, we no longer have to tell the next generation the unmitigated tenacity of Abraham Lincoln. I took time to read up his legacy. He was the 16th President of the United States, serving from March 1861 until his assassination in April 1865. Lincoln led the United States through its bloodiest war and its greatest moral, constitutional and political crisis. He abolished slavery, strengthened the federal government, and modernized the economy. His legacy will never be forgotten.
You have won the presidential election after contesting four times. I think it's well deserved. Am sure somewhere along the line you thought of quitting but you never did.
Just like many Nigerians, I think your return to this office is not to amass wealth, considering your age. Neither do I think you are in the office to add your name to the list of past presidents of the most populous black nation. That I think you already had. Then my guess is that you are really back to set things right in the country.
Excesses of the government, to start with, you promised to cut. We do not want a government that exists only for the political office holders.
Like I said in my first letter to you, we don't need a 10-point-Agenda. We only need you to focus on the most important things that can drive the economy. When these things are in a good shape others will fall in place. .
When power is stable and the country is secure, you would have created a conducive environment for business and foreign investors will be attracted. Recent research on ease of doing business in the world placed Nigeria on number 170. This is not a good indicator for our economy.
Let's not forget the decaying state of our education system. Currently, no Nigerian university is among the first 6,000 in the world. No country can develop when you produce unemployable graduates.
Even though Nigeria currently grapple with her decaying infrastructure and a poor regulatory environment, the country possesses many positive attributes for carefully targeted investment and will expand as both a regional and international market player.
We don't expect that you will fix Nigeria's numerous problems in 4years.
Nigeria's problem is not isolated or spontaneous. Rather it is a product of a long time political waste and negligence from leaders who prefer to line their pockets with silver and gold. We have travelled this path for 16 years. We understand that changing the course might be difficult but you knew the challenges before asking for our votes.
I will suggest you take a cue from President Jonathan's fall. Do not be distracted by the songs of victory. There is a lot of work to be done. A lot is at stake both for you and the party that has never been in control of the central. Rather, study his administration careful, key into where he missed it and intensify on his achievements.
We do not want abandoned projects. There are rails being constructed in Abuja, Airport being transformed and many other projects. We want to see them completed.
One major reason he failed, in my opinion, is that he really do not understand the people. He either takes the people's cry for granted, having being blinded by affluence or he has been lied to by the people around him.
The social media is one robust and staunch tool in the hands of the user. If properly harnessed, you will not be far from the people and you will understand and be able to tell their needs from their wants. The same tool that was instrumental in the fall of GEJ.
Mr President elect, I believe you are aware of the criticism President Jonathan faced in the hands of Nigerian youth through social media. Having placed the hope of the nation in your hands, you should know that yours will be worse if you disappoint Nigerians.
Contrary to the popular believe that you jumped on APCs stalwarts and its popularity to get this position, I believe that APC only used your integrity and steadfastness to get the party where it is today.
Remember we voted you for two reasons. One for sure is the complacent way the ruling party paraded itself. They acted like they own the country forgetting that we actually gave them the "keys to the door to the substance". We are tired of their repeated failed promises and we want a change. Secondly, your integrity that has remained untainted since your first military rule. It will be in your interest and Nigerians not to disappoint us. If you take the will of the people for granted, we will again use our votes to push you out. We will continue until we get it right.
A long journey awaits you. As you already know that we, in this part of the world, are very difficult to lead. We are adamant, indisciplined, unruly, obstreperous and inpatient. Impunity to us is bliss. We no longer know the difference between corruption and stealing. Bribes are referred to as PR.
As you steer the affairs of the nation, may your path be smooth.
Written by Abdullahi Akanbi
First, I congratulate you on the keenly contested election and of course, the most expensive the country has ever seen.
The victory, however, is not yours. The victory belongs to the Nigerian masses. The victory belongs to the ordinary Nigerian on the street.
Let not forget so soon, the honourable way the outgoing president carried himself. Even though many take the words of politicians with a pinch of salt. I for one want to believe he meant every one of those words. He will be remembered for the heroic deed.
For those who think my country, Nigeria, will fall after the presidential. Condolences!
For those who wish to disrupt the present peace we are enjoying.
Condolences!
Now, let's face it. Nigerians took records of all you promised. Thanks to you, we no longer have to tell the next generation the unmitigated tenacity of Abraham Lincoln. I took time to read up his legacy. He was the 16th President of the United States, serving from March 1861 until his assassination in April 1865. Lincoln led the United States through its bloodiest war and its greatest moral, constitutional and political crisis. He abolished slavery, strengthened the federal government, and modernized the economy. His legacy will never be forgotten.
You have won the presidential election after contesting four times. I think it's well deserved. Am sure somewhere along the line you thought of quitting but you never did.
Just like many Nigerians, I think your return to this office is not to amass wealth, considering your age. Neither do I think you are in the office to add your name to the list of past presidents of the most populous black nation. That I think you already had. Then my guess is that you are really back to set things right in the country.
Excesses of the government, to start with, you promised to cut. We do not want a government that exists only for the political office holders.
Like I said in my first letter to you, we don't need a 10-point-Agenda. We only need you to focus on the most important things that can drive the economy. When these things are in a good shape others will fall in place. .
When power is stable and the country is secure, you would have created a conducive environment for business and foreign investors will be attracted. Recent research on ease of doing business in the world placed Nigeria on number 170. This is not a good indicator for our economy.
Let's not forget the decaying state of our education system. Currently, no Nigerian university is among the first 6,000 in the world. No country can develop when you produce unemployable graduates.
Even though Nigeria currently grapple with her decaying infrastructure and a poor regulatory environment, the country possesses many positive attributes for carefully targeted investment and will expand as both a regional and international market player.
We don't expect that you will fix Nigeria's numerous problems in 4years.
Nigeria's problem is not isolated or spontaneous. Rather it is a product of a long time political waste and negligence from leaders who prefer to line their pockets with silver and gold. We have travelled this path for 16 years. We understand that changing the course might be difficult but you knew the challenges before asking for our votes.
I will suggest you take a cue from President Jonathan's fall. Do not be distracted by the songs of victory. There is a lot of work to be done. A lot is at stake both for you and the party that has never been in control of the central. Rather, study his administration careful, key into where he missed it and intensify on his achievements.
We do not want abandoned projects. There are rails being constructed in Abuja, Airport being transformed and many other projects. We want to see them completed.
One major reason he failed, in my opinion, is that he really do not understand the people. He either takes the people's cry for granted, having being blinded by affluence or he has been lied to by the people around him.
The social media is one robust and staunch tool in the hands of the user. If properly harnessed, you will not be far from the people and you will understand and be able to tell their needs from their wants. The same tool that was instrumental in the fall of GEJ.
Mr President elect, I believe you are aware of the criticism President Jonathan faced in the hands of Nigerian youth through social media. Having placed the hope of the nation in your hands, you should know that yours will be worse if you disappoint Nigerians.
Contrary to the popular believe that you jumped on APCs stalwarts and its popularity to get this position, I believe that APC only used your integrity and steadfastness to get the party where it is today.
Remember we voted you for two reasons. One for sure is the complacent way the ruling party paraded itself. They acted like they own the country forgetting that we actually gave them the "keys to the door to the substance". We are tired of their repeated failed promises and we want a change. Secondly, your integrity that has remained untainted since your first military rule. It will be in your interest and Nigerians not to disappoint us. If you take the will of the people for granted, we will again use our votes to push you out. We will continue until we get it right.
A long journey awaits you. As you already know that we, in this part of the world, are very difficult to lead. We are adamant, indisciplined, unruly, obstreperous and inpatient. Impunity to us is bliss. We no longer know the difference between corruption and stealing. Bribes are referred to as PR.
As you steer the affairs of the nation, may your path be smooth.
Written by Abdullahi Akanbi
WEEKEND SPECIAL: POWER By Busayomi Alabi
Power danced on drunken feet
Burning a pathway through our clan
Swirling with rancor, it entangles our able-bodied
Dwadling on its crazy heels
It trails derison through our streets
Paving a sandy grave for the children
Ensnared in its path
Reckong the invasion flowed through our gates
Unbeknown to me, it's the puddle next door
Thinking the dart flew over the barricade
Alas! It was sharpened within our walls
At the time I thought I knew it all
Strife ruled, violence growled
The drone of words all muddled up
Until the voice of its knights are heard no more
Orphans cried, widows mourned
The children have all grown up, not
Because they've come of age
This invasion indeed has taken its toll.
The voices of our children beg to be heard
The boundaries erected only reach so high
Until it appears a crack there within
This flood of corruption only flows so swift
Until the soil of our land sucks it all up and dry
...pondering and wondering, I asked myself
Will justice ever rule this path again?
Written by; Busayomi Alabi
Burning a pathway through our clan
Swirling with rancor, it entangles our able-bodied
Dwadling on its crazy heels
It trails derison through our streets
Paving a sandy grave for the children
Ensnared in its path
Reckong the invasion flowed through our gates
Unbeknown to me, it's the puddle next door
Thinking the dart flew over the barricade
Alas! It was sharpened within our walls
At the time I thought I knew it all
Strife ruled, violence growled
The drone of words all muddled up
Until the voice of its knights are heard no more
Orphans cried, widows mourned
The children have all grown up, not
Because they've come of age
This invasion indeed has taken its toll.
The voices of our children beg to be heard
The boundaries erected only reach so high
Until it appears a crack there within
This flood of corruption only flows so swift
Until the soil of our land sucks it all up and dry
...pondering and wondering, I asked myself
Will justice ever rule this path again?
Written by; Busayomi Alabi
Tuesday, 31 March 2015
BETTER LATE THAN NEVER By Ozioma Ogbaji
Sometimes we love, sometimes we hate
We love the wrong ones
We hate the wrong ones
And when we realise, it is already too late
Sometimes we accept, sometimes we reject
We accept the wrong ones
We reject the wrong ones
And when we realise, we do a painful retrospect
Sometimes we hope, when we should not
Then we give up hope, when we should not
Sometimes we stop, when we should walk
Then we say nothing, when we should talk
In love, in life, in our daily dealings
We let go of things which give our lives meaning
and hold fast to fading illusions
If only we could see and have vision!
Then we would love and accept aright
We would not hate and reject amiss
We would give and take a chance
We would correct, do and start off better
But, what if it is our fate as humans to never be clever?
I hope you find the strength
I hope you go the length
For even if it seems too late, it is better late than never
Written by Ozioma Ogbaji
We love the wrong ones
We hate the wrong ones
And when we realise, it is already too late
Sometimes we accept, sometimes we reject
We accept the wrong ones
We reject the wrong ones
And when we realise, we do a painful retrospect
Sometimes we hope, when we should not
Then we give up hope, when we should not
Sometimes we stop, when we should walk
Then we say nothing, when we should talk
In love, in life, in our daily dealings
We let go of things which give our lives meaning
and hold fast to fading illusions
If only we could see and have vision!
Then we would love and accept aright
We would not hate and reject amiss
We would give and take a chance
We would correct, do and start off better
But, what if it is our fate as humans to never be clever?
I hope you find the strength
I hope you go the length
For even if it seems too late, it is better late than never
Written by Ozioma Ogbaji
A WOMAN'S REVOLT II By Esther Esuga
I am the one with the sonorous rendition
My words transport wise counsel to the minds of the young maidens
I am the feminine face of humanity
Man also but with womb
I am no weakling
I know my worth
My virtues are golden, pure and unique
I am bold, beautiful and desirable
I am the beautiful lily that cannot be crushed by antagonism and suppression
I KNOW how to put my home in order; at the same time be relevant and sit on the front liner of my sphere
I am intelligent, bright and not doomed
I am the eagle that can soar high with her eaglets guiding them to the path of success
I AM THE SWEET VOICE
Pleasant, loud and clear
I am the one with the sonorous rendition
My words transport wise counsel to the minds of the young maidens
I am the feminine face of humanity
Man also but with womb
I am no weakling
I know my worth
My virtues are golden, pure and unique
I am bold, beautiful and desirable
I am the beautiful lily that cannot be crushed by antagonism and suppression
I KNOW how to put my home in order; at the same time be relevant and sit on the front liner of my sphere
I am intelligent, bright and not doomed
I am the eagle that can soar high with her eaglets guiding them to the path of success
I AM THE SWEET VOICE
Pleasant, loud and clear
I am the one with the sonorous rendition
Tuesday, 24 March 2015
A WOMAN'S REVOLT I By Esther Esuga
I am the voiceless rendition
With no choice of mine
I am the inaudible presentation
With no initiative
Like an eraser, such is blotted from the drawing
I am the beast of burden
carrying the ugly faced weight through the Sahara
I can not rebel
I belong to the dreg in the society
Not having an opinion over a thing
For I do not count in affairs
I am the back bencher
For we are told
A Woman'S PLACE is in the kitchen .
I am lord
My emotions are numb
As my breast milk become sour
Leaving the innocent infants with no food
I am swamped in the slope of my own hurt
And no one can notice for a split second
In my mind's eye I shout and scream
But I am the voiceless rendition
With no choice of mine
As my breast milk become sour
Leaving the innocent infants with no food
I am swamped in the slope of my own hurt
And no one can notice for a split second
In my mind's eye I shout and scream
But I am the voiceless rendition
With no choice of mine
MY WOMAN By Ozioma Ogbaji
People stare at me with confused eyes
They ask to know where my secret lies
They wonder where I found my gait
They love the way I articulate
The softness of my arms
My captivating youthful charm:
This is my woman
The woman I have become
All these and more, are my woman
I walk with a quirky poise
People whisper, and it's a delightful noise
The smile of my lips
The curve of my hips
They say I've always been this cool
But honey, do not be fooled:
This is my woman
The woman I have become
All these and more, are my woman
They see fire in my eyes
They say I'm for keeps 'cause I'm a prize
There is a grace in my vibe
Something good to imbibe
The warmth I bring
The joy I sing:
This is my woman
The woman I have become
All these and more, are my woman
There is something about me
How did I come to be?
The reason behind my womanly pride
The reason for my sedate stride
My aura, as that of a loved emperor
My shoulders high like that of a conqueror:
This is my woman
The woman I have become
All these and more, are my woman
There's definitely more to me
They say I'm still a mystery
In the stillness of my mind
In the presence of my kind
I become more of the woman I am meant to be
The best of me you are yet to see:
This is my woman
The woman I have become
All these and more, are my woman
Written by Ozioma Ogbaji
They ask to know where my secret lies
They wonder where I found my gait
They love the way I articulate
The softness of my arms
My captivating youthful charm:
This is my woman
The woman I have become
All these and more, are my woman
I walk with a quirky poise
People whisper, and it's a delightful noise
The smile of my lips
The curve of my hips
They say I've always been this cool
But honey, do not be fooled:
This is my woman
The woman I have become
All these and more, are my woman
They see fire in my eyes
They say I'm for keeps 'cause I'm a prize
There is a grace in my vibe
Something good to imbibe
The warmth I bring
The joy I sing:
This is my woman
The woman I have become
All these and more, are my woman
There is something about me
How did I come to be?
The reason behind my womanly pride
The reason for my sedate stride
My aura, as that of a loved emperor
My shoulders high like that of a conqueror:
This is my woman
The woman I have become
All these and more, are my woman
There's definitely more to me
They say I'm still a mystery
In the stillness of my mind
In the presence of my kind
I become more of the woman I am meant to be
The best of me you are yet to see:
This is my woman
The woman I have become
All these and more, are my woman
Written by Ozioma Ogbaji
COLOUR ME COLOURS By Ozioma Ogbaji
Like the heavens and the skies
Like the deep seas so wide
When I am confident and true
When I have faith in you
Colour me blue, colour me blue
Like the royals of Great Britain
Like the noble in truth and ambition
In my wisdom, dignity and pride
In my mystery and grandeur so wise
Colour me purple, colour me purple
Like fire and blood
Like the intensity of a flood
In my strength and passion
In my desire, love and emotion
Colour me red, colour me red
Like the warmth of the tropics
Like the sun, my daily tonic
When I am determined and creative
When I am happy and attractive
Colour me orange, colour me orange
Like a smile so warm
Like joy even in a storm
When I am cheerful and happy
In my intellect, when I am savvy
Colour me yellow, colour me yellow
When I am all these and more
When I am despised and adored
With the colours of the rainbow
With the colours that make me glow
Colour me colours, colour me colours
Written by Ozioma Ogbaji
Like the deep seas so wide
When I am confident and true
When I have faith in you
Colour me blue, colour me blue
Like the royals of Great Britain
Like the noble in truth and ambition
In my wisdom, dignity and pride
In my mystery and grandeur so wise
Colour me purple, colour me purple
Like fire and blood
Like the intensity of a flood
In my strength and passion
In my desire, love and emotion
Colour me red, colour me red
Like the warmth of the tropics
Like the sun, my daily tonic
When I am determined and creative
When I am happy and attractive
Colour me orange, colour me orange
Like a smile so warm
Like joy even in a storm
When I am cheerful and happy
In my intellect, when I am savvy
Colour me yellow, colour me yellow
When I am all these and more
When I am despised and adored
With the colours of the rainbow
With the colours that make me glow
Colour me colours, colour me colours
Written by Ozioma Ogbaji
Sunday, 22 March 2015
WEEKEND SPECIAL: STILL I RISE By Maya Angelou
You may write me down in history
With your bitter, twisted lies,
You may trod me in the very dirt
But still, like dust, I’ll rise.
With your bitter, twisted lies,
You may trod me in the very dirt
But still, like dust, I’ll rise.
Does my sassiness upset you?
Why are you beset with gloom?
‘Cause I walk like I’ve got oil wells
Pumping in my living room.
Why are you beset with gloom?
‘Cause I walk like I’ve got oil wells
Pumping in my living room.
Just like moons and like suns,
With the certainty of tides,
Just like hopes springing high,
Still I’ll rise.
With the certainty of tides,
Just like hopes springing high,
Still I’ll rise.
Did you want to see me broken?
Bowed head and lowered eyes?
Shoulders falling down like teardrops.
Weakened by my soulful cries.
Bowed head and lowered eyes?
Shoulders falling down like teardrops.
Weakened by my soulful cries.
Does my haughtiness offend you?
Don’t you take it awful hard
‘Cause I laugh like I’ve got gold mines
Diggin’ in my own back yard.
Don’t you take it awful hard
‘Cause I laugh like I’ve got gold mines
Diggin’ in my own back yard.
You may shoot me with your words,
You may cut me with your eyes,
You may kill me with your hatefulness,
But still, like air, I’ll rise.
You may cut me with your eyes,
You may kill me with your hatefulness,
But still, like air, I’ll rise.
Does my sexiness upset you?
Does it come as a surprise
That I dance like I’ve got diamonds
At the meeting of my thighs?
Does it come as a surprise
That I dance like I’ve got diamonds
At the meeting of my thighs?
Out of the huts of history’s shame
I rise
Up from a past that’s rooted in pain
I rise
I’m a black ocean, leaping and wide,
Welling and swelling I bear in the tide.
Leaving behind nights of terror and fear
I rise
Into a daybreak that’s wondrously clear
I rise
Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave,
I am the dream and the hope of the slave.
I rise
I rise
I rise.
Written by Maya Angelou
I rise
Up from a past that’s rooted in pain
I rise
I’m a black ocean, leaping and wide,
Welling and swelling I bear in the tide.
Leaving behind nights of terror and fear
I rise
Into a daybreak that’s wondrously clear
I rise
Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave,
I am the dream and the hope of the slave.
I rise
I rise
I rise.
Written by Maya Angelou
WEEKEND SPECIAL: THE CLOUDS ARE GATHERING By Jerry Okooboh (O'Jerry)
The clouds are gathering...
Congregating in the sky
Our fate to decide
Blood and grime to rain
Just so they can sit and reign
The clouds are gathering...
Becoming darker by the day
Dancing to the music of death and decay
Ready to rain down chaos and cataclysm
Just for their self-serving reason
The clouds have gathered...
Pregnant with evil inside of them
Though they promise to bear gems
The smell in the air is hardly of rain
As it is of the putrid stench of rotten grain
The clouds have gathered...
Our hearts are numb with fear
Because the rainy days have drawn near
And we do not want umbrellas for dwellings
Nor do we want brooms to fight the flooding
The clouds have gathered...
And now our future is wobbling on a foot
But hand in hand and boot to boot
We will stay and fight the looming flood
And protect our future even with our blood
Written by Jerry Okooboh (O'Jerry)
WEEKEND SPECIAL: WHY I LIVE By Clement Aghedo
I was yesterday
I am today
I will be tomorrow
All for which I live
Do I live for you?
Do I live for me?
Do I live for humanity?
Do I live to be happy?
Do I live to be sad?
Do I live to be rich?
Do I live to be poor?
Do I live to love or hate?
I live to be alive
I live to survive
To survive hate
To live by faith
And there is more I live for
For HIS name to be praised
I am today
I will be tomorrow
All for which I live
Do I live for you?
Do I live for me?
Do I live for humanity?
Do I live to be happy?
Do I live to be sad?
Do I live to be rich?
Do I live to be poor?
Do I live to love or hate?
I live to be alive
I live to survive
To survive hate
To live by faith
And there is more I live for
For HIS name to be praised
WEEKEND SPECIAL: BEFORE YOU JUDGE ME By Olu Jacobs (Olu D'Poet)
Friend,
Before you judge me in your own MONOLOGUE
Remember to check yourself first in your own DIALOGUE
My own actions are visions for a better INCUBUS
So do not judge me from a point vaguely RIDICULOUS
Every man has left his shell to hurt a FLY
Why then must you lambaste when my success go HIGH?
Let no man be quick to criticize ANOTHER
As no man is immaculate to his own BROTHER
If you perceive that I go ASTRAY
Do not back-stab my laxity to educe
Help me to my seat of attention
An bring me back as you PRAY
Friend,
Before you judge me, first remember your own MISDEED
For even so, we are never perfect INDEED
Written by Olu Jacobs (Olu D'Poet)
Saturday, 21 March 2015
WEEKEND SPECIAL: THE BEAUTY OF ME By; Clement Aghedo
The beauty of the sunset far above the waters
The colour of the sun far above the hills
I define beauty
Like a being without shadows
Like a heart feeling hollow
I define loneliness
I am strong
I am happy
I define ME
Written by Clement Aghedo
The colour of the sun far above the hills
I define beauty
Like a being without shadows
Like a heart feeling hollow
I define loneliness
I am strong
I am happy
I define ME
Written by Clement Aghedo
WEEKEND SPECIAL: THE FAIR ONE By; Jerry Okooboh(O'Jerry)
For my mind is pervaded
With thoughts of this dame
And my heart is undefended
As she effortlessly sets it aflame
She entices me, she teases me
But love me, she would not
The fair one, I mean
The fair one is mean!
She affects me in ways inexplicable
And she knows it, I know she does
But she would not stop and I am incapable
Of defence; she has me under a curse
And yet,
She entices me, she teases me
But love me she would not
The fair one, I mean
The fair one is mean
She enjoys what she does to me
I am sure she does
And though she may not be the enemy
Of my misery she is the source
Because,
She entices me,she teases me
But love me she would not
The fair one, I mean
The fair one is mean
Or perhaps she does not know
'Cos to be fair to her
I am yet to clad my feelings in words
But she must know, I don't believe she does not
Is the voice of action
not louder than that of words?
Still,
She entices me, she teases me
But love me she would not
The fair one, I mean
The fair one is mean
Written by Jerry Okooboh (O'Jerry)
WEEKEND SPECIAL: A BOMBSHELL NIGERIA By; Olu Jacobs(Olu D'Poet)
My country Nigeria is being blackmailed by her very own CITIZENS
My restful snooze has become impractical for a hundred to one REASONS
I fear my own shadow in broad day light in the event of my own MOTION
Bombshells, war and the sound of guns make me walk in slow MOTION
My country was once a place of liberty and not HAPPENSTANCE
But the ones who fought for our freedom are not given a second CHANCE
When the time has come for you to cast a VOTE
Follow your heart and not the media's QUOTE
If we build Nigeria with bombshells, firearms and CONTENTION
How then shall we congregate together for a factual REVOLUTION?
Let us all rise and put an end to the nation's DISUNITY
For I remember the national anthem
One nation bound in freedom, peace and UNITY
I am the voice of the PEOPLE, as we ENDURE
My poems will forever rise against warfare and PERDURE
Written by Olu Jacobs (Olu D'Poet)
I fear my own shadow in broad day light in the event of my own MOTION
Bombshells, war and the sound of guns make me walk in slow MOTION
My country was once a place of liberty and not HAPPENSTANCE
But the ones who fought for our freedom are not given a second CHANCE
When the time has come for you to cast a VOTE
Follow your heart and not the media's QUOTE
If we build Nigeria with bombshells, firearms and CONTENTION
How then shall we congregate together for a factual REVOLUTION?
Let us all rise and put an end to the nation's DISUNITY
For I remember the national anthem
One nation bound in freedom, peace and UNITY
I am the voice of the PEOPLE, as we ENDURE
My poems will forever rise against warfare and PERDURE
Written by Olu Jacobs (Olu D'Poet)
Friday, 20 March 2015
MR POLITICIAN By; Ozioma Ogbaji
When words are spoken
They should mend hearts that are broken
When words are spoken
They should not cause hearts to be broken
When triggers are pulled
They should spray bullets or gun powder
When triggers are pulled
Cries of defeat and victory should become louder
When you speak
Your words are best unspoken
Cause when you speak
My heart is not mended but broken
When you shoot
I am far from giving thanks
Cause when you shoot
You happily shoot blanks
When I speak
I particularly speak to you
When I speak
Mr politician, my words are for you
When I give you my fours years
My heart should one day give you thanks
When I give you my four years
and gun, please do not shoot blanks
Written by Ozioma Ogbaji
They should mend hearts that are broken
When words are spoken
They should not cause hearts to be broken
When triggers are pulled
They should spray bullets or gun powder
When triggers are pulled
Cries of defeat and victory should become louder
When you speak
Your words are best unspoken
Cause when you speak
My heart is not mended but broken
When you shoot
I am far from giving thanks
Cause when you shoot
You happily shoot blanks
When I speak
I particularly speak to you
When I speak
Mr politician, my words are for you
When I give you my fours years
My heart should one day give you thanks
When I give you my four years
and gun, please do not shoot blanks
Written by Ozioma Ogbaji
MY COUNTRY PEOPLE By; Esther Esuga
My contri people
I tire for this mata
Person run go there na wahala
Person waka come here
I beg wen I see
Serious kasala
My contri people
Story full ground
Na so Aisha for detim side
Dem no fit go school
Dem no even fit sleep well
Unto say these people
Dem call BH
Fit just scatter ground
My contri people
We young soji people
We bin reason am say
If we hustle go school
Lock up for morning and afternoon
Softly arrange Ewa Agoyin for night
We believe say our Suru go lere
My contri people
Person turn ogbologbo for school
Sake of say na wetin
Sake of say na so so strike, haba
My contri people
Dis no be story for us o
Na story for the gods
E no get any work for any where
How person wan do Bad guys
Pepper no rest
Day before yesterday
Yomi just come lament
Unto say him chikala done follow one Chidi
Way come from America
International
Yomi say Shade say
'' I am not getting younger
My biological time is ticking
You are 37 still leaving with your parents
I hope you understand''
My guy breakdown
Come to think of the mata
Shade get truth for her talk
She done tire, she done try , she done wait
If na your sista nko, omo na to port na
She got to move on mehnn
I no blame her
Now dem say na election
Rubbish mehnn
As you see me so, I no send
Dem say DEMOCRACY
Demo wat
I say demo fire
My contri people
I NO VOTE
I VOTE O, I NO VOTE O
Who go win go still win
We cry o, die o, shout o
Dem go just look us like lucozade
My country people
people dey bailout
Go yonder
I send dem now
Because that na the way forward
Ds mata no be today
Story full ground
My countri people
Written By; Esther Esuga
I tire for this mata
Person run go there na wahala
Person waka come here
I beg wen I see
Serious kasala
My contri people
Story full ground
Na so Aisha for detim side
Dem no fit go school
Dem no even fit sleep well
Unto say these people
Dem call BH
Fit just scatter ground
My contri people
We young soji people
We bin reason am say
If we hustle go school
Lock up for morning and afternoon
Softly arrange Ewa Agoyin for night
We believe say our Suru go lere
My contri people
Person turn ogbologbo for school
Sake of say na wetin
Sake of say na so so strike, haba
My contri people
Dis no be story for us o
Na story for the gods
E no get any work for any where
How person wan do Bad guys
Pepper no rest
Day before yesterday
Yomi just come lament
Unto say him chikala done follow one Chidi
Way come from America
International
Yomi say Shade say
'' I am not getting younger
My biological time is ticking
You are 37 still leaving with your parents
I hope you understand''
My guy breakdown
Come to think of the mata
Shade get truth for her talk
She done tire, she done try , she done wait
If na your sista nko, omo na to port na
She got to move on mehnn
I no blame her
Now dem say na election
Rubbish mehnn
As you see me so, I no send
Dem say DEMOCRACY
Demo wat
I say demo fire
My contri people
I NO VOTE
I VOTE O, I NO VOTE O
Who go win go still win
We cry o, die o, shout o
Dem go just look us like lucozade
My country people
people dey bailout
Go yonder
I send dem now
Because that na the way forward
Ds mata no be today
Story full ground
My countri people
Written By; Esther Esuga
Thursday, 19 March 2015
UTOPIA BY OZIOMA OGBAJI
As beautiful as the famed city of Atlantis
Gloriously flourishing in her perfection
There is a place where my soul and heart is
A perfect place without grief or deception
A place where my heart is always merry
Where peace blossoms like the cherry
The sun smiles at me gently caressing
My being as the birds sing beautiful melodies
Melodies which keep me guessing
The beauty of future melodic memories
Like the Cedars of Lebanon
Beautifying the palaces of Ethiopia
Purity, love and perfection adorn her every season.
This place is within me; this place is Utopia
Written by Ozioma Ogbaji
Gloriously flourishing in her perfection
There is a place where my soul and heart is
A perfect place without grief or deception
A place where my heart is always merry
Where peace blossoms like the cherry
The sun smiles at me gently caressing
My being as the birds sing beautiful melodies
Melodies which keep me guessing
The beauty of future melodic memories
Like the Cedars of Lebanon
Beautifying the palaces of Ethiopia
Purity, love and perfection adorn her every season.
This place is within me; this place is Utopia
Written by Ozioma Ogbaji
SEE WHO I HAVE BY ESTHER ESUGA
I've found a friend
He tells me the unquoted truth
He makes me responsible for my actions
He sternly rebukes when I drift away from my path
Though he sets the bar so high and I wonder If I ever can get to my zenith
But the living spring of coolness walks on my nerves as He holds my hands and I climb the ladder
He pushes me to climb the scale and cleans the mess I left behind
He loves without remedy
He indulges with reckless abandon
He is not ashamed of me
He considers me in all his endeavors
People keep talking
They can say what they like
He wouldn't care
His love is enduring
I tell him to flee with my disgruntled attitude
He gets addicted
I've found a friend
A TRUE FRIEND IN YOU
Wrriten By; Esther Esuga
He tells me the unquoted truth
He makes me responsible for my actions
He sternly rebukes when I drift away from my path
Though he sets the bar so high and I wonder If I ever can get to my zenith
But the living spring of coolness walks on my nerves as He holds my hands and I climb the ladder
He pushes me to climb the scale and cleans the mess I left behind
He loves without remedy
He indulges with reckless abandon
He is not ashamed of me
He considers me in all his endeavors
People keep talking
They can say what they like
He wouldn't care
His love is enduring
I tell him to flee with my disgruntled attitude
He gets addicted
I've found a friend
A TRUE FRIEND IN YOU
Wrriten By; Esther Esuga
Wednesday, 18 March 2015
TOMORROW BY OZIOMA OGBAJI
She keeps coming to me
Yes, she gracefully comes to me
Beautifully adorned with pearls of hope
So bright I will not have to grope
Tomorrow never dies
Tomorrow is always alive
Full of hope and possibilities
Where I rise above today's impossibilities
Where the horizon never ends
Where my yesterday, today and forever blends
She waits for me beyond the horizon
And I fly into the horizon
A glorious unicorn, for I gained in the midst of pain
Tomorrow will come tomorrow and we will conquer again
Written by Ozioma Ogbaji
Yes, she gracefully comes to me
Beautifully adorned with pearls of hope
So bright I will not have to grope
Tomorrow never dies
Tomorrow is always alive
Full of hope and possibilities
Where I rise above today's impossibilities
Where the horizon never ends
Where my yesterday, today and forever blends
She waits for me beyond the horizon
And I fly into the horizon
A glorious unicorn, for I gained in the midst of pain
Tomorrow will come tomorrow and we will conquer again
Written by Ozioma Ogbaji
TODAY BY OZIOMA OGBAJI
I feel light and free
My hair caressed by the breeze
If ever there was a day so magical
Full of life so bright and beautiful
Today is that day
Let the chains of yesterday break away
Today I rise up in glory
Today continues my story
I rise like a Phoenix reborn from yesterday's ashes
Beautifully clothed in red satin sashes
As glorious as the Pegasus on Mount Olympus
I am exploring today like Columbus
I rise, I soar in my magical glory and splendour
And today keeps coming to me in all her grandeur
Written by Ozioma Ogbaji
My hair caressed by the breeze
If ever there was a day so magical
Full of life so bright and beautiful
Today is that day
Let the chains of yesterday break away
Today I rise up in glory
Today continues my story
I rise like a Phoenix reborn from yesterday's ashes
Beautifully clothed in red satin sashes
As glorious as the Pegasus on Mount Olympus
I am exploring today like Columbus
I rise, I soar in my magical glory and splendour
And today keeps coming to me in all her grandeur
Written by Ozioma Ogbaji
YESTERDAY BY OZIOMA OGBAJI
A beautiful memory, a pleasant history
A place where painful pleasure, savoury
Yet distasteful resides
Yesterday I was wrong but I still got along
I had my victories within her but now she is gone
She left me confused
Did I push her away?
Should I hold on? Should I make her stay?
Like a dying man holding onto his last breath
I hold fast to her length and breadth
But she slips away late at night, out of my failing grip
She waves goodbye as I slowly let her slip
Yesterday is gone, I suddenly feel light and free
I feel light and free, this must be how it was meant to be
Written by Ozioma Ogbaji
A place where painful pleasure, savoury
Yet distasteful resides
Yesterday I was wrong but I still got along
I had my victories within her but now she is gone
She left me confused
Did I push her away?
Should I hold on? Should I make her stay?
Like a dying man holding onto his last breath
I hold fast to her length and breadth
But she slips away late at night, out of my failing grip
She waves goodbye as I slowly let her slip
Yesterday is gone, I suddenly feel light and free
I feel light and free, this must be how it was meant to be
Written by Ozioma Ogbaji
AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL By;Esther Esuga
The voyage of life and the pleasant furnace
Wondereth why tis trials and what significance
Thou heareth voices
Strange, disheartening voices
Not knowing the path to discern
seeing the failure in man's design
And we blame ourselves for the blunder
As we reminisce and ponder
Like our hearts stutter
Asking the salient questions no one heareth
When does help ever cometh
Alas
A Gabriel in the pureness of his apparel rises
Holding a scroll of elated tidings
Its colorful and its bright
You shall attain the great height
written By; Esther Esuga
Wondereth why tis trials and what significance
Thou heareth voices
Strange, disheartening voices
Not knowing the path to discern
seeing the failure in man's design
And we blame ourselves for the blunder
As we reminisce and ponder
Like our hearts stutter
Asking the salient questions no one heareth
When does help ever cometh
Alas
A Gabriel in the pureness of his apparel rises
Holding a scroll of elated tidings
Its colorful and its bright
You shall attain the great height
written By; Esther Esuga
Sunday, 15 March 2015
A THOUSAND THINGS By;Esther Esuga
A thousand things I want to share
A thousand things I want to bear
A thousand things I want to do
A thousand things I want to feel
A thousand things I want to see
A THOUSAND THINGS
Written By; Esther Esuga
A thousand things I want to bear
A thousand things I want to do
A thousand things I want to feel
A thousand things I want to see
A THOUSAND THINGS
Written By; Esther Esuga
A TROUBADOUR I TRAVERSE By; Dennis Brutus
A troubadour, I traverse all my land
exploring all her wide flung parts with zest
probing in motion sweeter far than rest
her secret thickets with an amorous hand:
and I have laughed disdaining those who banned
enquiry and movement, delighting in the test
of wills when doomed by Saracened arrest,
choosing, like unarmed thumb, simply to stand.
Thus, quixoting till a cast-off of my land
I sing and fare, person to loved-one pressed
braced for this pressure and the captor's hand
that snaps off service like a weathered strand:
-no mistress-favour has adorned my breast
only the shadow of an arrow brand
Posted By Ozioma Ogbaji
This is another poem I love for its theme and literary expressions. Click here for a synopsis.
ON WEEKEND POSTS
Hey guys,
Thank you for the wonderful feedback.Your words are encouraging. We have found out that some of you have encountered problems while trying to post comments on the blog. We are sorry about that and are working to rectify the problem. Meanwhile, during weekends, we will be sharing with you our favourite poems by poets of old and poets of our time. We also would share poems submitted by friends or acquaintances so feel free to send your poems to poetreeinn@gmail.com. Thank you and tell a friend to tell a friend...xoxo
From Ozioma and Esther
Thank you for the wonderful feedback.Your words are encouraging. We have found out that some of you have encountered problems while trying to post comments on the blog. We are sorry about that and are working to rectify the problem. Meanwhile, during weekends, we will be sharing with you our favourite poems by poets of old and poets of our time. We also would share poems submitted by friends or acquaintances so feel free to send your poems to poetreeinn@gmail.com. Thank you and tell a friend to tell a friend...xoxo
From Ozioma and Esther
TO HIS COY MISTRESS By; Andrew Marvell
Had we but world enough and time,
This coyness, lady, were no crime.
We would sit down, and think which way
To walk, and pass our long love’s day.
Thou by the Indian Ganges’ side
Shouldst rubies find; I by the tide
Of Humber would complain. I would
Love you ten years before the flood,
And you should, if you please, refuse
Till the conversion of the Jews.
My vegetable love should grow
Vaster than empires and more slow;
An hundred years should go to praise
Thine eyes, and on thy forehead gaze;
Two hundred to adore each breast,
But thirty thousand to the rest;
An age at least to every part,
And the last age should show your heart.
For, lady, you deserve this state,
Nor would I love at lower rate.
But at my back I always
hear
Time’s wingèd chariot hurrying near;
And yonder all before us lie
Deserts of vast eternity.
Thy beauty shall no more be found;
Nor, in thy marble vault, shall sound
My echoing song; then worms shall try
That long-preserved virginity,
And your quaint honour turn to dust,
And into ashes all my lust;
The grave’s a fine and private place,
But none, I think, do there embrace.
Now therefore, while the youthful hue
Sits on thy skin like morning dew,
And while thy willing soul transpires
At every pore with instant fires,
Now let us sport us while we may,
And now, like amorous birds of prey,
Rather at once our time devour
Than languish in his slow-chapped power.
Let us roll all our strength and all
Our sweetness up into one ball,
And tear our pleasures with rough strife
Through the iron gates of life:
Thus, though we cannot make our sun
Stand still, yet we will make him run.
Posted By Ozioma Ogbaji
To His Coy Mistress is one of my
favourite poems. It was one of the poems in my syllabus back in school. I love
it for the use of language, figures of speech and figures of expression. I also
love the use of historical allusion and the entire theme of the poem. Just in
case you do not understand literature or poetry this is a synopsis culled
from wikipedia
SYNOPSIS: The speaker of the poem addresses a woman who has
been slow to respond to his sexual advances. In the first stanza he describes
how he would love her if he were to be unencumbered by the constraints of a
normal lifespan. He could spend centuries admiring each part of her body and
her resistance to his advances (i.e., coyness) would not discourage him. In the
second stanza, he laments how short human life is. Once life is over, the
speaker contends, the opportunity to enjoy one another is gone, as no one
embraces in death. In the last stanza, the speaker urges the woman to requite
his efforts, and argues that in loving one another with passion they will both
make the most of the brief time they have to live.
Saturday, 14 March 2015
WE THOUGHT IT WAS OIL BUT IT WAS BLOOD By;Ninnmo Bassey
The other day
We danced on the street
Joy in our hearts
We thought we were free
Three young folks fell to our right
Countless more fell to our left
Looking up,
Far from the crowd
We beheld
Red hot guns
We thought it was oil
But this was blood
We thought it was oil
But this was blood
Tears don't flow
When you are scarred
First it was the Ogoni
Today it is Ijaws
Who will be slain this next day?
We see open mouths
But we hear no screams
Standing in a pool
Up to our knees
We thought it was oil
But it was blood
Dried tear bags
Polluted streams
Things are real
Only when found in dreams
We see their Shells
Behind military shields
Evil, horrible evil gallows called oilrigs
Drilling our souls
We thought it was oil
But it was blood
We thought it was oil
But this was blood
The heavens are open
Above our head
Toasted dreams in flared
And scrambled sky
A million black holes
In a burnt sky
But we know our dreams
Wont burst like crude pipes
We thought it was oil
But this was blood
We thought it was oil
But it was blood
This we tell you
They may kill all
But the blood will speak
They may gain all
But the soil will RISE
We may die but stay alive
Placed on the slab
Slaughtered by the day
We are the living
Long sacrificed
We thought it was oil
But it was blood
We thought it was oil
But this was blood
Written By; Ninmmo Bassey
This poem was first written /performed in Amsterdam, 16th September, 1998. It was revised in Benin City, January 3, 1999 and dedicated to Oronto Douglas and the Youths of the Niger Delta.
The poem '' We Thought It Was Oil But It was Blood'' by Ninmmo Bassey is a seasoned work of literature. It is an imagery of the plight of the Niger Delta people. The poem xray the extent of environmental degradation as a result of crude oil exploration in the Niger Delta region.
SHADES By;Esther Esuga
A sweet , young , pretty , subtle-charm
A girly, warm, bright sense of appeal
A cute, Fun, attractive, soft touch of feminity
A spark of warmth and tenderness with friends and family
An unconditional love, friendship and care.
An elegant pink
A royal, noble, selfless form of leadership
An enlightened, balanced state of maturity
A mixture of the feminine and masculine energies
An alluring, luxury of mystic fantasy
A beautiful, calm , calculated sense of wisdom
A color of heat, love, power and hot-passion
A vibrant, provoking, brave sense of will power
A seductive, romantic list of appetite
An attention grabbing, sharp rhythm of excitement
A color of signs
A calm, loyal, productive and conservative effect on humanity
A strong connection with masculinity
A rich, hopeful, desiring-lucky-go charm
A color of intuition and the sixth sense
Mostly heavenly and soothing to the mind and body
A friendly, stable , sincere, expertise of understanding
A cheerful, creative,bright-sunshine
A warm, happy, joyful, energetic summer
A spirit of optimism and success
Shades of orange
Angelic
A meek, peaceful note of simplicity
Pure, heavenly and gentle
An innocent, good act of precision
Positive
A powerful, bold, confident elegance
Wealth
A formal, classy sense of sophistication
Sexuality
Proudly black and beautiful
A color that absorbs
A strong, honest form of endurance
A stable, warm, comfortable, sense of maturity
A friendly note of earthly attitude
A bond with earth and its nature
A mediator between black and white
A neutral, reserved and modest aura
A solid, elegant form of maturity
A reliable, formal dignified class
A shiny, wealthy glitz of glamour
A modern sense of creativity
A gentle , graceful, kind touch of femininity
Sensitive
An innovative, creative, calm serenity
A spirit of togetherness and humanism
A patient, peaceful, joyful emotion
Independence
Different shades of Turquoise
A new, fresh, hopeful place of rest
Healing
Natural
Growth and development
Success
Vitality
A joyful, happy warming effect
Energetic
Sunshine
Arousal of cheerful feelings and freshness
Great mental stimulant
A classy, luxury glitz of glamour
A confident, generous, self-work
A victorious , royal, happy-to-go-look
An abundant, shiny, excess extrovert
Sophisticated
Written By; Esther Esuga
Friday, 13 March 2015
JUST JADED By; Esther Esuga
The mixed feelings
The regrets
The uncertainties
The doubts
The fears that beclouds my courage
The confusion that berefts me of all form of understanding
Its just a dark world
Wednesday, 11 March 2015
VE' GOT SPACE By; Esther Esuga
The sky is wide enough
The earth is home to everyone
The sea is deep enough
The air is sufficient for everyone
Everyone has got just enough space.
Written By;Esther Esuga
IF I COULD By; Ozioma Ogbaji
If I could, I would make you see
Yourself through my eyes
How perfect you are
How special you are
People say you are one in a million
Well, I say you are one in seven billion
I know this for sure
I know this in truth
You are one in seven billion
You are, you beautiful star
Written by Ozioma Ogbaji
Yourself through my eyes
How perfect you are
How special you are
People say you are one in a million
Well, I say you are one in seven billion
I know this for sure
I know this in truth
You are one in seven billion
You are, you beautiful star
Written by Ozioma Ogbaji
DEFYING GRAVITY By ; Ozioma Ogbaji
Like a bird with wings to soar
Like a lion bold and sure I know
That I am defying gravity
I spread my wings and fly
My feet can touch the sky
Because I am defying gravity
That is how I feel when I think of you
That is how I feel when I am with you
Like a lion bold and sure I know
That I am defying gravity
I spread my wings and fly
My feet can touch the sky
Because I am defying gravity
That is how I feel when I think of you
That is how I feel when I am with you
Written by Ozioma Ogbaji
Tuesday, 10 March 2015
MY DARLING By; Ozioma Ogbaji
My love for you is sugar and spice
My darling, oh my darling
My love for you will cross rivers and skies
My love will always find you day or night
Your love is sweet, your love is mild
Your love is mean, your love is kind
My love is sugar and spice
Your love is vodka and ice
My darling, oh my darling
My love for you will cross rivers and skies
My love will always find you day or night
Your love is sweet, your love is mild
Your love is mean, your love is kind
My love is sugar and spice
Your love is vodka and ice
Written by Ozioma Ogbaji
MIRRORS II By; Ozioma Ogbaji
When I look upon you, you look upon me
When I reach out to you, you reach out to me
When I speak to you, you speak to me
When I carefully study you, you do not fail to study me
When I look at you with pride and admiration
You look back like I'm a sort of inspiration
For knowing you is knowing me
And loving you is loving me
When I reach out to you, you reach out to me
When I speak to you, you speak to me
When I carefully study you, you do not fail to study me
When I look at you with pride and admiration
You look back like I'm a sort of inspiration
For knowing you is knowing me
And loving you is loving me
Written by Ozioma Ogbaji
MIRRORS I By; Ozioma Ogbaji
I look at you, and I see me
I reach out to you, you reach out to me
You are so real, yet unreal
For if you were real I should feel you, shouldn't I?
Who is this man in the mirror?
Or woman, as the case may be?
So real, yet unreal
Looks like me, I agree
But wait, I am not the woman in the mirror
I am the woman standing in front of the mirror
As real as I can be
The one who is here with you
Written by Ozioma Ogbaji
I reach out to you, you reach out to me
You are so real, yet unreal
For if you were real I should feel you, shouldn't I?
Who is this man in the mirror?
Or woman, as the case may be?
So real, yet unreal
Looks like me, I agree
But wait, I am not the woman in the mirror
I am the woman standing in front of the mirror
As real as I can be
The one who is here with you
Written by Ozioma Ogbaji
ROUTINE By; Esther Esuga
The sun rise
From East to West
And the seasons
Summer, Winter, Autumn and Spring
They all follow their sequence of time
The dawn of a new day is birth after night
A child grows into a teenager
A teenager grows to an adult
An adult grows into a child
I sleep and I wake
I get famished and I eat
It gets digested
I become peckish
And I eat again
I go out and return
I take care of and I am taken care of
We meet people
We part again
We are all in this continuous chain
Life, in a circle
Written By; Esther Esuga
WHATEVER! WHOEVER! HOWEVER! By; Esther Esuga
Whatever makes you bitter
Whatever makes you worry
Whatever makes you caged
Whatever makes you glummy
Quit
Whoever makes you sad
Whoever bullies
Whoever sucks
Whoever disrespects
Disconnect
However horrible
However tacky
However crude
However rough
Relax
Written By; Esther Esuga
WHAT IF By; Ozioma Obgaji
What if time never passed?
What if time was something we could grasp?
What if we lived each moment over?
What if we could always start over?
What if life was a meaningless cycle?
What if life is a meaningless cycle?
What if?
What if words never hurt us?
What if nothing had purpose?
What if we never existed?
What if there was no existence?
What if we keep living in "what if"?
What if we were stuck in the claws of "what if"?
What if "what if" made no sense at all?
Written by Ozioma Ogbaji
What if time was something we could grasp?
What if we lived each moment over?
What if we could always start over?
What if life was a meaningless cycle?
What if life is a meaningless cycle?
What if?
What if words never hurt us?
What if nothing had purpose?
What if we never existed?
What if there was no existence?
What if we keep living in "what if"?
What if we were stuck in the claws of "what if"?
What if "what if" made no sense at all?
Written by Ozioma Ogbaji
TALES By; Esther Esuga
Her mother's land
A place of life, vigour and vitality
Her green breaths freshness and life
Her white gives us a sense of purity and peace
Tales of her mother's land
A place of great merchandise
Masters in cotton,cocoa,cofea,hides and skin
Tales of her mother's land
It was a place of boom
Having oil as her spine
Tales of her mother's land
Her mother's land
A place where naira could stand-up to pounds in any contest
A place where high standard, honesty and originality was the only acceptable thing
A place where her people soared on eagle's wings
Lion of Africa
Tales of her mother's land
she says it is no longer her pride
Her spine gave her an ironical boom
she wails
A place now infected with the ting of drought
A place of poverty
And a borrower from nations
Her seat has been usurped
A place where death tolls have become unimaginable
Where are the banana and cocoa plantations?
Where are the textile industries?
where are the groundnut and cotton farms?
Where are the palm tree farms?
What happened to the tranquil we felt in our communities?
Tales of her mother's land
Now a place of hardship, violence, corruption,bitterness and challenges
A place of reproach
Tales of her mother's land
Her mother's land
A place where the shackles of devourers has held her people bound
A place where the mesh of darkness has captured her people
Tales of her mother's land
Her mother's land
Where are the reminants of old ?
Written By ;Esther Esuga
Written By ;Esther Esuga
FOR YOU By; Esther Esuga
My bubbles keep increasing
My butterflies keep reproducing
My cocoa tea cup never runs dry
The feelings grow stronger
You spark in my galaxy of stars
You have brought sunshine
You came along with the glowing radiance I've always longed for
you occupy the long time vacuum
you are my square peg fitting perfectly into my square hole
you wow my world
Thank you.
Written By; Esther Esuga.
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