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.
Thursday, 30 April 2015
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
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