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How Tumbleweeds Teach: Humor as Pedagogy
If you’ve ever watched a tumbleweed roll down a Los Angeles street (not saying I have), you know one thing: it’s completely unconcerned about your deadlines. In previous posts, I’ve written about clouds with self-esteem, birds with impatience, roadrunners having bad hair days, and, yes, the occasional dragon who does yoga while accountants panic over…
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Perspectives: So Big, So Small
I wrote a quote about this some time ago; this post is a revised version. I’ve always wondered how big an aircraft can be. Standing near one feels so massive that it could hold hundreds of people as they board. I often imagine the passengers inside a passing plane from the ground. Where are they…
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Pigeons
Pigeons A few years ago, I tried to raise a couple of pigeons in Nigeria. I’ll call them elegant and bright birds, and I got them as babies because they fell out of their nests. They were vulnerable, and other birds, rodents, cats, dogs, or even insects could eat them! However, I only had them…
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Quote: Quiet Wins
Appear weak when you are strong, and strong when you are weak—Sun Tzu, The Art of War Let people underestimate you; the best moments happen when no one sees you coming!
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Alcatraz
I was there once—intense views,spirits rising and falling,all of us entrappedon this piece of land. I heard the seagullsand the silent whisperslifting with the sunrise—people, dust, memories. Cold weather, cold hearts,remnants of man’s resentment.Nature goes on living;this is no reservation. Guilt, conscience, prayers,tears, the 1960s, modernity—love, maybe hate.Are you ever worriedabout the past? I see…
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Sandia Mountain 2
I miss the sight of Sandia Mountain—its quiet congregation of morning clouds,brief visitors dissolving in the first light. On the bus, with the window as a frame,I witness a slow-moving masterpiece:mountain, sunrise, cloud—a trinity that feels intentional. Sandia follows me, or so it seems,a steadfast citadel keeping paceno matter which road I take.I wonder what…
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Love is a Choice
Love is a choice, so I chose it—not because I had feelings that fade over time. Not because I notice your height or weight, but because I decided to. Not because I think I should, but because I made a decision to. Most times, there won’t be butterflies; other times, misunderstandings may occur. Sometimes, it…
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Roses
One bright Sunday, I came across a beautiful rose blooming unexpectedly in a quiet neighborhood on the outskirts of Albuquerque, Rio Rancho. It was a simple moment, but the charm of that surprise flower made it truly unforgettable. The striking beauty of the desert landscape shows that a single event or element can transform the…
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Go Forth and Sparkle
Leave gold dust wherever you stray,In kind words, in light, in gentle sway.Let hearts you touch in warmth still glow—A trace or say trail of love is all to sow.
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The Bee and The Bloom
A bumblebee buzzed with bumbling grace,Zipping and dipping all over the place.It spotted a flower, so red and sweet,And said, “Well hello there—my sugary treat!” It wiggled and jiggled and landed just right,Its belly fuzzy, with stripes shining bright.Then whispered, “Dear flower, don’t mind if I stay,I’m just here for nectar… and maybe to play.”
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Protected: Love From Afar
There is no excerpt because this is a protected post.
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Whispers from First Earth
Beneath this sun’s ancestral flame,Where baobabs bear me witness, still—Africa stirs with sacred name,In every plain and every hill. The Nile, in silken stories told,Winds through Nubian dreams of old,Where Kush once ruled with a crown of gold,And river gods their secrets hold. Mount Kilimanjaro stands,A sky-pierced crown of ancient lands—The Chagga guards its snowy…
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Thank You, New Mexico!
Thank You, New Mexico! In Igbo culture, there’s a saying: ekele onye akịdị, ọ gwọta ọzọ, which translates to “If you thank the one who cooks beans, they will be happy to cook more.” But, I’m not talking about beans. I am overwhelmed with gratitude as I reflect on my recent experiences. The end of…
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Updated: Tale of The Wildwoods: When Summer Arrived!
oiroegbu.com/2025/02/23/tale-of-the-wildwoods-when-summer-arrived/
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Love Like Spring Water
When there was love,We saw the pretty cloudsClearer like the sweet springThat leap in delighted hasteRefreshing lands far & unknown
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Hummingbird
I’ve been reading extensively about Native American folklore lately. As part of my Master’s research at Berkeley, I studied the relationships between people, wildlife, and the environment to understand how everything is interconnected. In Native American folklore, hummingbirds symbolize joy, happiness, and good luck. They are also seen as messengers from the other side, bringing…
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Morning Rain: A Welcome Relief for Albuquerque
Summer night rain has its charm, but morning rain brings a different vibe. I think everyone can relate to the refreshing coolness it offers and the extra time it gives to those with plans. Often, it is a perfect excuse not to do anything. Morning rain, dark clouds, chilly weather, and gloomy skies make me…
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Exercise: Imagine
While this isn’t poetry, let’s consider it a small exercise. Imagine you have the power to choose your feelings every day. What options would you select? Happiness or sadness Flowers or weedsPossibilities or adversitiesPlenty or scarcityLove or hateGreen or grayPeace or conflictBeginning or end Your choices shape your reality. If you’re having a tough day,…
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Shades of Mount Sandia
Mount Sandia will rise majestically. Its silhouette reminds me of a picturesque landscape painted on an expansive canvas. The view from which it is observed influences its allure. For instance, on Easter Sunday, I was fortunate enough to witness the sunrise, with her golden rays piercing the horizon, casting a divine light that bathed the…
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Abqs Chill Weather
I’ve noticed that the sunlight often plays hide-and-seek, like a game of “Now you see me…” I appreciate the unpredictability of the weather here. Sometimes, I see bright sunshine out the window, so I wear a short-sleeved T-shirt and shorts, only to find it chilly outside. Other times, the day looks gloomy, and I assume…
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Amuse: ‘Shadowy’ Tales
Moonlight blankets the entire landscape, illuminating even the darkest areas. Silhouettes are cast on roads, buildings, and everything else. If you’re not careful, you might be startled by a palm tree; the shadows of its leaves can easily resemble the fingers of masked figures waiting to grab their victim. A passerby’s silhouette can also be…
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Muse: Albuquerque
Celebrating uniqueness is a valuable treasure; it creates a unique refuge in one’s soul for peace and self-discovery. Now, let’s take part in a fun word challenge. Think of a term or expression and replace the emphasized words in the sentence below with their closest synonyms and then with their antonyms. Afterward, reread it. Nothing…
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Dance in the Rain
How lovely it is to dance in the rain at night,Like lost children—twisting, turning, and soaked.How sweet it is to listen to Nature’s songWhen nights are cold and the lights are out.How happy it is to hear the heartbeats of loved onesIn a vigorous hug or a gentle embrace, or even both. Would you become…
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You and I
Love is the heartbeat of life; it’s the force that brings joy, connection, and meaning to our existence. Without it, everything else feels incomplete. Always make it a point to express your love to those who matter most, verbally or in acts. A little affection goes a long way in strengthening your bond and creating…
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Video: Summer Feel
I promised to write about my recent encounters with birds, but this post is not about that. I just wanted to share some short videos I captured. Some of my followers might wonder why I post about night-related events like evening clouds, but trust me; I’m not a vampire—I take walks whenever I feel like…
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Quote: Live in the Present
Remember to take a moment to appreciate the beauty and smell of flowers and the feel of wet clay. Smile is the best ornament you can wear. Take the time to watch the sunrise or sunset while you still can. Life is fragile, and nothing lasts forever — Oke Iroegbu
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Muse: Windy Evenings and Lullaby
It has been extremely windy here in Albuquerque for the past few days. The winds remind me of the harmattan winds that blow in Nigeria during the yuletide, although Albuquerque’s winds are more consistent and tend to increase in intensity. These winds carry small rocks and fine sand as they gust by. You must dress…
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Patterns 4
It’s the weekend and the last day of February 2025! What better way to start than by appreciating the beauty around us? This morning, I captured white-lined patterns in the dreamy blue skies. I also noticed shapes that resemble fingers on the tree branches. The blue clouds today seem so surreal that I can’t help…
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Tale of the Wildwoods: When Summer Arrived
I’ve got a little adventure planned! I will take you, my readers, on a delightful journey where I’ll reshare some of my favorite past blog tales and poetry (I like to call them Poetales—because a tale got married to a poem, and they gave birth to… shhh, it’s our little secret!). Tonight, I’m super excited…
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Golden Horizons
Today, I decided to take my evening walk a little earlier than usual. As I strolled along the familiar path, I was oblivious to the gathering clouds until I had covered about a mile. Once I glanced up, I observed how the changing temperatures influence the sky; when it gets cold, the clouds take on…
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Chill Winds
Chilly winds in New Mexico carry fine particles and dust, which are common wherever strong winds are present. I will discuss this in more detail in the following paragraph. In contrast to California, where I often see deer, squirrels, birds, coyotes, insects, and various species, there is little wildlife or plant life to observe here…
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Colors and Tales
Do colors tell stories too? I would say yes. Have you seen a field of ripe wheat or a bunch of yellow mangoes? The golden heads of wheat tell stories of a potential harvest. The murky water rushing down the hills conveys tales of pollution. From my personal experience, a dusty stream suggests that a…
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Beauty in Nature
Welcome to February 2025 Happy New Month, friends! Let’s talk about writing about nature and how it can be a pleasurable experience. Writing is a remarkable and deeply personal experience. I am amazed by our ability to craft beautiful expressions with words. This month, let’s focus on writing about our preferences and sharing our thoughts…
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Diary of a Village Boy: The Leopard Spirit 11 (Tales By Moonlight 1)
When the moonlight came, the villagers would gather at the Square near Eze’s palace to share stories and tales. Children and even some adults eagerly looked forward to this time. It was a joyful period for the village, as everyone could come together to have fun—playing games, solving riddles, and telling folktales. The first storyteller…
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Albuquerque’s Blue Clouds
Floating blue clouds basking in self-esteem, clear skies demonstrating their power of invisibility, and a chilly mountain climate are the norms for me here. Why not enjoy this captivating view while it lasts? I may print these beautiful New Mexico images and sign them as postcards. Like the aircraft passing above, the permanence of my…
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Maybe 4
Maybe heartbeats are drumsticksRolling out beats for loved onesAnd each moment we get a hugIt’s an assurance that we are home
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Providence
As the outdoor bulb lights softly illuminate the landscape, I can’t help but notice the wild grass gently swaying in the calm winds. The fresh scent of evening dew fills the air, creating a serene atmosphere on this beautiful desert night. Patches of brush are scattered around, and familiar shadows of the bushes dance across…
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Amuse: Moon, Melodies, Myth, and Man
Tonight, I tried to capture the cloud formation, but the images turned out blurry. The constant lights from the nearby estate may have contributed to this. I noticed a flock of night insects gathering around street lights. Occasionally, the insects collide with one another and fall, but they manage to catch themselves mid-air and change…
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Muse: Moonlit Night
The moonlit night usually creates different images in the clouds, both in its glow and in the minds of those observing it. I am a passionate observer of moonlight against the evening clouds. It reminds me of the moonlit nights filled with folktales from my home. The moon and its light are tangible aspects of…
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Santa Fe 2
The highlands and homes are ancient, surrounded by a uniform hue of brown light. Santa Fe stretches across the valley, showcasing its abundant daylight and beauty. The crisscrossing roads create uneven patterns, while automobiles scuttle through the intersections like cockroaches. The blue, inviting clouds of Santa Fe is unique, awesome, and cherished.
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Nature’s Craftwork
I took this image two nights before Christmas and was amazed by the white cloud resembling a blue whale. I could see various shapes against the charcoal-blue horizon, but the whale was the most remarkable. I couldn’t stop admiring the magnificent view. Do you see how the tree in the center looks like a Christmas…
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Mother Nature (Africa)
I remember writing this poem in Nigeria in 2020. I enjoyed exploring the theme of nature and how it brings me a sense of freedom. The fresh air and lack of pollution and human disturbance allow for deep self-reflection. I miss home, but I believe that home can be found anywhere. This poem, with slight…
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Patterns 3
Look at the peaks; they are citadels without motionAnd crevices cut in perfect lines on the mountainsLook at trees; they dance together in the windTheir branches and leaves in peaceful unisonLook at worms; they crawl and inscribe patternsOn Earth, they author unblemished marks and signsLook at the moon, with its glossy morningsAnd the happiness and…
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Charity begins at home
If you have only one smile in you, give it to the people you love. Don’t be surly at home, then go out in the street and start grinning ‘Good morning’ at total strangers — Maya Angelou Even the proverb “charity begins at home” reminds us that it’s our responsibility to care for those closest…
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Quote: Nature
We are tenants, and nature is our landlord. No one treats their landlord wrongly – Oke Iroegbu
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Muse: Thanksgiving
I’m grateful for you—you make my heart sing
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Muse: Sun Streaks
Sun Streaks What happens when the day comes to an end? That’s a question worth a million dollars, and people often have varied responses. I find myself quickly captivated by the setting sun, leading me to scribble down words or phrases that come to mind. This magnificent view never fails to distract me from the…
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Love Poem: When You Look At Me
Love is the sum of little things that people do every day When you look at me, your grey eyes make me fall deeperWhen you smile at me – ina murna – my heart dance for joy! Commentary Ina murna in the Nigerian Hausa language means I’m happy. In Igbo, it means obinatom. Why do…
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Sun, Rain, or Snow?
It’s human nature to wish for something, such as rain, snow, or sunlight, but to wish it away when it becomes too much. Sun, rain, or snow, which do you prefer?The sun & rain I like, I’m tempted by the later Mild sunlight is a pleasure for outdoorsChill rainfall can be a great cradlesongThe earth…
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Muse: Sunlight
Sunrise is like music to my eyesIt is like the mountain climber’s sighThe reflection from the sunlight is goldHer warmth she spreads across the world
