Okechukwu’s Musings: Poetry, People and Places

Author: Oke Iroegbu

  • Lullaby Tonight

    Have you ever been on the pathway to sleep And all you could see was circles spiralling, twisting and falling like mild paints on the wall? Strange as it seems… Weird songs of night come alive: Sweet melodies of the frog choir across the road where the rain water log… And the trembling voices of…

  • 10 Surprising Facts About Ethiopia

    10 Surprising Facts About Ethiopia🇪🇹 1. There are thirteen months to the year based on their calendar, which means they are in 2013. 2. Ethiopians also measure the hours of a day to a different schedule based on the logic that the clock starts when the day does. 3. Ethiopia is the only African country…

  • Quotes on Perseverance

    A Japanese proverb says “fall seven times, stand up eight.” Vince Lombardi said, “There’s only one way to succeed. In anything, and that is to give it everything.” Henry Wadsworth Longfellow: “If you would hit the mark, you must aim a little above it; every arrow that flies feels the attraction of earth.” ALWAYS REMEMBER…

  • Love Poem: Truth

    The truth is I came all the way Waiting for this moment, Running from my feelings Then I met you My feet stayed still Maybe they floated a little And I couldn’t leave without Letting you know how I felt

  • Night Poem: Light

    Amid dark skies and night, Through quietness and mists Beloved Providence grants To bring through the dark, a light

  • Sunrise

    Sunrise is truly a sign of a new beginning. The atmosphere is fresh, So are dew up the trees, Behind every great rock See the golden sunrise!

  • A Fierce Harmattan

    Sandy sheepfold Harsh harmattan Thrusting dry wind Down the mountain

  • Dialogue 6: Ancient Folklore Rivalries

    Ancient Folklore Rivalries Storyteller: Otii! Audience: Oyoo! Storyteller: Otii!! Audience: Oyoo!! Storyteller: Today we will examine an incident that led to two friends becoming the world’s example of bitter rivalry. Oral folklore from ancient times has long been reported in several narratives that happened between the cat and rat. Indeed, in modern times, it is…

  • Masai

    Masai – the people who are one with nature

  • Playing Child

    Don’t let the sun set end this play, dear child Today was a race up hills & down valleys, Your little legs an exalted wagon for hope Greeted by green trees that stand sentry Let the wind soar with your kite & dreams So that the dancing wind may find a friend With you, an…

  • Muse: My Sunshine

    Love is magical. I don’t know what else is Below is a quick muse, written from the heart. And, this heart is full of love. Hopefully, it will find its missing piece. You’re sunshine, The one who plays Strings of my heart

  • Rural Uganda (Images)

  • I See The Morning Sun

    I heard the morning sun Sing to the village below Through cream-coloured curtains Her poems echo some moments ago I see sunflowers dance by the roadside Throwing sweet fumes up the sky I see a dried crust of loose brown earth Colour pastures were several termites Dwell, in broken, collective settlements I see the strong…

  • African Quote on Heroism

    If heroes were born in the morning, the night will be too cold to receive them – Okoroji Chidiebere

  • Haiku: Bright Evening

    Bright eveningSparrows sing,Lovers listen

  • Quote on Life

    The healthiest response to life is joy – Deepak Choora

  • Masquerade Day in Umudinja (Pics)

    Listen! It’s prudent to take pictures of masquerades from a safe distance. Why? A swipe of a masquerade’s cane can leave one reeling in pain. Now, that’s an easy rhyme! 😅 Today is Umudinja’s masquerade day. Masquerades are believed to be traditional spirits with sacred powers. They roam about the town seeking for people to…

  • Haiku: Morning

    Morning fresh Rosemary green Tree heaven

  • African Proverb: On The Sun

    African Proverb: The sun does not forget a village just because it’s small. Explanation: Normally, the sun shines on both the weak and strong, rich and poor, man and woman. It does not discriminate were to shine or not. That happens with life as well. Providence gives everyone equal opportunity, as life is not bought…

  • Welcome to Life Again By David Thane Cornell

    My sickbed’s a barren beach without a sail,And on a sheet of tepid moonlit sandI lie prone as though asleep, exhausted & pale.I’ll slip my fingers from death’s tightening hand;The vessel of my body cannot holdThe numbing stream of beauty pouring down.The sky ablaze with stars, so vast & old,Like Aaron’s rod, strikes water and…

  • Muse: Candlelight

    See how her pretty light flickers Throwing the light on my papers As tongues of fire She seeks to be admired For even the wind has come To flirt and rest awhile

  • The Village Square

    Night’s dance festival Brings all, big and small The farmer, wine tapper, The cobbler and dancers A night of skewered meat And one, where lovers tryst

  • Notes on Confidence

    Confidence defines behaviours and actions, so this new year, let’s do ourselves favours by believing we are whole and accompanying these thoughts with actions that make us grow. So, be grateful every second for who you are and this will change your internal believes over time. What you tell yourself will either make you attract…

  • Cranky Old Man

    A brief intro When an old man passed away in the geriatric ward of a nursing home in an Australian rural town, it was thought that he had nothing of value left. Later, as nurses sorted through his modest belongings, they discovered this poem. Its depth and message so moved the staff that they made…

  • Night’s Haiku

    Moon ball round Pitch-black cloud Night’s quiet lot

  • The Arrogant King

    Once upon a time in a land far away, there lived a king who didn’t listen to anyone. He was so stubborn that he thought he knew everything. If anyone tried to advise or share an opinion with him, he would reject it. He felt good doing this and hence earned for himself, the name…

  • Happy New Year!

    Happy New Year to all my friends and followers. Enjoy the fresh air and beginning.

  • Lights: Last Blog 2021

    There’s no moon tonight, just galaxies. Despite the littering stars up the sky, there’s pitch darkness on the path leading to my granny’s place. This night is unusual. I know this small village to be cold at night. However, tonight the aura is indifferent. The air is mild and the harmattan breeze is nowhere to…

  • Country aura

    brown leaves, hazy wind, undulating hills, grey earth, bean cakes, smiling vendors, acrid smoke, rising from huts, drifting hawks, surfing the skies, green tuft, on the patched fields, mild airs, sleepy country breeze, sunshine, favourite aura of light, home, where love and the heart is

  • Spoken Poetry: World Made With Words

    There is Him who lights the moonlight like a bulb He makes the rain shower on all green life He surfs the thunderstorm like a horse Throwing to the Earth a veil of white snow He gives the morning a fresh scent of hope, Binding the nights to curdle the weary shepherds I listen to…

  • Dance With Me

    Would you dance with me under the impressive glare of moonlight?

  • Dialogue 5: Greed/Selfishness

    The Greedy/Selfish Tortoise Storyteller: Ifochakpi! Audience: Waa! Storyteller: Nabe, the Tortoise is a controversial character. But we must note that the tortoise’s character is metaphorical. We use tales to demonstrate what is obtainable in the real world. Greed is a vice. In Africa, it is frowned upon and selfish people in folktales tend to fall…

  • Mist

    Mist like smokeDoused upon hutsMessenger of earthThat cling to hills Most, the color of palm wineWell gathering on mustachesOf men, old and youngA cover for wary rodents Mist, nature’s courierImpostor to manySteering to paths unchartedWhere fortune or failure lay

  • My Father’s Hill

    It’s chilly down this valleyAs this village is immersedIn between these ancient hillsWalked by my father, and his fathersI find it spectacular to be home,To family where it all beganI’m a king, after all, tells my heart

  • Merry Christmas

    Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

  • Painting: The Void

    No caption came to my mind initially. But when I hung out with friends for a weekend drink, an idea came to me. So, ladies and gents, I present this colourful painting of mine to you. I call it: The Void. The Void is an uneven combination of black and blue. It’s a sketch of…

  • Love Poems: Loving Words

    Light is my sweet, loving words With faith, I stand my ground, When I look into your pretty eyes I behold a warrior, my happiest desire! You are a delicate bud For you, I sing and stand Songs, poetry and lavender perfumes, My muse, my all to make your joy blossom Let our happiness flow…

  • Love Poem: Three Words

    Three are my words, Painted on my band A colourful hue Remind me, I love you

  • Moonlight

    I behold the nightfall across the dark blue clouds I watch evening carry desires of men waiting to unfold I enjoy the sensation of the imminent weekend Drums of merrymaking sound miles off, Cackling, singing, every bit of mirthful noise However, the shepherd sits to enjoy his time alone I hear deep-voiced frogs calling out…

  • Reflection: Leaving The Past Behind

    No matter how beautiful and glorious you think the past was, the future is better; far, far better. I used to be a teacher because I love working with kids and youth. I spent a lot of time preparing my classes and discussions because I didn’t want a boring class. Fast forward, I was accepted…

  • Drifting Stars

    You remind me of drifting stars,Of sops ripening in the daybreak,I clasp to your arms as a childFor you have become my worldThe beginning and end

  • Quotes on Teamwork

    “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” – Helen Keller “Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence win championships.” – Michael Jordan

  • Harmattan Has Come!

    Harmattan arrived grandly With the smell of burning grass, Dry nostrils and painted faces Harmattan made land arid So mud is now waterproof, And men without a sense of smell The thick fog of smoke and dust Greet the land that once knew rain Speak of her cold art: dusty faces & feet

  • Muse: Love is Magical

    Love is a magical feeling Binding two or more souls Their hopes & impressions, Establishing trust & to heal

  • Story of Compassion: Life-giver

    A young woman got a job as a waiter in a restaurant. She was always happy and upbeat but after some months, she lost excitement. Something had gone wrong. On a particular day, there were lots of people in the restaurant and she had to serve people. They started murmuring and shouting at her, “When…

  • Story of Compassion: The Brick

    Dear Friends here is a story about compassion, shared by a close friend on Whatsapp. A young and successful executive was travelling down a neighbourhood street, in his new Jaguar. Suddenly, a brick smashed into his side door! He slammed on the brakes and backed the car back to the spot where the brick had…

  • Morning Wakes

    Morning wakes in the sun Windy clouds, happy yawns, Up the hill a quiet town Misty paths, bird tunes, All, green forest’s tenants

  • Quotes and Lessons: Resilience

    You’re going to go through tough times – that’s life. But I say, ‘Nothing happens to you, it happens for you.’ Joel Osteen. A difficult time can be more readily endured if we retain the conviction that our existence holds a purpose. John Maxwell. I love the light for it shows me the way to…

  • A Shepherd’s Song

    Tree roots are my favorite seat, mushrooms are cushionsOccasionally my thoughts drown in the music of sheep and birdsLight-colored birds fly above me, up in the trees they gatherTo watch the meeting of white wool spread across the green grassSome bolder birds come down to join the massive banquet,Picking stray insects that fled the grass…

  • Let

    Let this morn, a huge favour grant; Let it be known: I cherished you first