Okechukwu’s Musings: Poetry, People and Places

Author: Oke Iroegbu

  • Cheer For Love

    I cheer you to this drama; not Romeo’s, nor Juliet’s, One for everyone, under the full glare of the setting sun tide So stand aside, and let this new dance learned to unfold, Come beloved, allow this moment to bless our lands, Let me tell love stories and prove how love can set all free

  • Imageries Of The Fireside

    I love how the fire gives rise to dancing things; Flickering fire tongues lick the wood that sits astride, The odd form of musketeers and brave swordsmen Of likenesses behind the light walls, we watch plays Fierce kingdoms, which I may liken to Camelot With her chariots riding off to skirmish, Dire wolves in the…

  • Silhouettes

    Shadows clone for good or evil Like a hefty hoe tilling the soft soil Her shadow strikes too at things dead Under the moon’s watchful eyes this land, Shadows of branches on the ground Were green trees during the noon Taunt timid skies overall, shining on fair nuns But they become the dark spells in…

  • Happy International Youth Day

    This is one of my favorite days of the year—though, to be honest, every day should celebrate young people and the amazing work they’re doing to create a better future for themselves, their communities, and the world. Here’s to wish everyone, especially the youth, a happy celebration.

  • Cold Night

    The cold night is no man’s friend we are taught, But lovely are impressions of fireflies and stars drifting about And with this quiet time, an extremely pleasant twilight

  • Quote on Love

    Love is always there if you would look for it

  • Thank You

    For My Beloved Followers Okay, so I’m writing you this love letter. To you, who is worthy of love and every good thing. It’s rainy this evening; those pleasant times when I let my imagination go on an adventure. Luckily, the gentle wind helps it soar on her invisible wings. In a world full of…

  • Lullaby: Night Rain

    Light rain, mild breeze, magnificent shower, Like the faint drums that usher in the noble, Faded lightning, a plethora of tiny drops Those that drench the backyard every night

  • Dialogue With The Storyteller 4

    Otii/Oyoo & Assumed Folk Characters Storyteller: Otii! Audience: Oyoo!! Storyteller: Some Igbo communities start their folklore session in that manner. This could be the equivalent of Ifochakpi and would usually be repeated until the audience shouts the loudest. What I do know is that the ifo in ifochakpi means tale in the Igbo language. The…

  • Birthday: Why 8’s?

    My Special Day Again Wasn’t it just 365 days ago when I wrote a birthday message? How time flies! Last year, I spent my birthday reflecting on my achievements. I realized I haven’t done much with myself. Fortunately, I got a job that made me rethink my purpose. Through this job and the acquaintances I…

  • Everybody Deserves Love

    Everybody deserves love Love transcends the color, Or the human figure we see, It’s not skin, hair, or wits So wherever it comes from Or wherever it is headed Don’t be afraid, just love Don’t let it fade, just love Not trying to beget not knowing For love is the true way of life

  • Beautiful Blossoms

    Beautiful August, my favorite aura Large fruit trees blossoming around the countryside form a flower shelter, which also provides a spectacular view. The rains had gone for a break, and the stream and river levels had receded. It’s August break. I noticed this morning that the petals were on the verge of blossoming. Now I…

  • Morning Muse: Rising Sun

    The waking sun that comes every morning, shining upon the land where flowers bloom and food is harvested in its season, the air that we breathe in every moment embraces without a desire for anything in return. This is the love we are constantly receiving – love that never changes.

  • The Spider’s Tale and Song

    The Spider’s Tale Childhood classes taught a lesson on perseverance and diligence. This was a lesson that featured the little spider who never gave up and the overthrown king who learned to be resilient. I’ll retell the tale in simple words. Once there was a king who was ousted by his brother. He sat in…

  • Sonnet of The Day | William Wordsworth

    William Wordsworth Wordsworth is a fine English man whose poetic words are worth reading. Each time I read his poetry I think of him as a jockey of words. He is so elegant in his use of puns. His diction occurs so naturally that one can’t help but wonder. Below is a poem he composed…

  • I Heard The Waterfalls Sing

    I heard the garrulous waterfalls sing once, Drowning the noise of the forest in its wake She cascades down, drawing curtains of white waters, Pitching shadows behind the rocks that let it form I have seen the streams divide into two or three files, Each guarding its way through shiny stones and rocks, Creating a…

  • Live

    We assume that tomorrow will always be there None of us is promised tomorrow. So we have to decide what happens with our lives. We must choose what we react to, how we see the world and what our pain will be. Ignoring all superficial things people do is the first item in the healing…

  • Home

    No matter where you go don’t forget home We may fly, live far away, Far away Papa sits, watching TeeVee Far away, I look back, I crave home’s love Far away, Mama makes tasty dinner Far away, My little ones – all home in my heart I send all my heart and love home

  • August

    august is a beauty, an aura and energy like a robust apple on the calm sun ripe august is a feeling, craving for winning past songs, no regrets the verge of an onset

  • Friends: A Loop That Never Ends

    Friends are family we chose for ourselves Today is the International Day of Friendship and I’ll like to share a little thought. We all have friends and they may come in different forms; fellow men or pets such as a dog, cat, horse, etc. Friendship is an ancient tradition, dating back to the earliest times.…

  • Muse: Make You Smile

    Long before this nightfall, I’ll freestyle, just to see you smile.

  • Muse: Little Dancer

    Spread your palms, take my hands, Let’s break out from the circle, Hover about, see the morning smile, Tonight you will be my little dancer

  • Windy Music

    There uphill, music from the wind Arrive upon paths walked by the kind It’s a hymn for the simple-minded Piped in the day and late in the night The whistling wind conducts, From uphill the melody went Wandering with a rhythm so soft That the wild is attentive to it The dusk breeze is a…

  • A Lover’s Muse

    Love conquers all, everything Falling in love was least on my list. The world no longer was a dark place, having met someone who brought light to everything and everyone. Someone who lights the world with all beautiful hues. Until now, I keep wondering what I did to deserve you. Let’s keep this light and…

  • Anger

    Anger is one word shorter than danger Anger Anger is terrible. It leaves regret in its wake. Although it’s normal to get irritated by people’s actions and words, by situations, and even by trivial details, we should always be mindful of uncontrolled anger. I got this short story from a devotional booklet. The story demonstrates…

  • ShepherdLore: Music of Nature

    Tree roots are favorite chairs, the velvety mushrooms cushions, My thoughts drown in the music of nature, the sheep and birds

  • Let The Fireworks Roar

    Colorful fireworks rise and roar, Splendid ribbons fall and cheer, We stand astounded To symphonies of festivities and The awe of love proclaimed

  • Dialogue With The Storyteller 3

    Another Igbo Folktale Introit Storyteller: Ifochakpi! Audience: Waa!! Storyteller: Enwere akuko m ga akoro unu (There’s a tale I wish to tell you all) Audience: Koro anyi ka obi di anyi mma! (Tell us, so that we can be happy!) Storyteller: I welcome you all again. The Igbo folklore tradition allows each storytelling session to…

  • Trees are Nests

    Trees are nests, Leafy homes, Greened and lawn

  • The Golden Bird From Project Gutenberg

    A certain king had a beautiful garden, and in the garden stood a tree which bore golden apples. These apples were always counted, and about the time when they began to grow ripe it was found that every night one of them was gone. The king became very angry at this, and ordered the gardener…

  • Quotes on Hope ©

    Life is a beautiful gift and each sunrise is a bonus. If we see the sunrise, there’s hope. Giving up is easy. Let’s try something tougher like resilience and perseverance. Never give up on your dream. Time is a patient umpire and it will reward those who failed to give up. Only the living can…

  • A Lover’s Poem

    Your voice is like the Nightingales I laugh out loud at your high pitch But that’s an obvious clue; I love you and I can’t deny

  • The Iron Snake

    Country Loving Nomad Boy How lucky I am to have traveled by train as a child! School holidays were a great time to travel. I always looked forward to the train journey with my aunt to my grandma’s country home. The window seat was my favorite spot. From there, I could count palm trees or…

  • Serenity Is Vitality

    Serenity Is Vitality Not everybody appreciates a loud and garrulous setting. Let’s assume that people are apples. Accordingly, we come in different hues and sizes and so do our likes and dislikes. The differences become the leverage, our various flavours and uniqueness. I adore relaxed and silent settings, especially the beautiful countryside. It’s strange to…

  • Be True

    Don’t get lost trying hard to please people. Pause for a moment and find yourself One beautiful thing about life is our uniqueness. It’s this essence and originality that sets us apart from others. Rather than trying to fit in, I let my values be my guide. In that, I’ll need not fake my lifestyle.…

  • Be You

    People always make fun of others because they think they are different Well, it’s not a bad thing to be different. So be the very best version of yourself.

  • Hugs & Social Distancing

    What the world needs now is hugs; big, sweet hugs Heartwarming Contact Hugs are heartwarming. It warms up the body and soul, faster than a sizzling cup of coffee. Hugs are passionate physical contact that can tear down walls and boulders, and open up a theatre of affection, acceptance, and love. Every living thing hugs…

  • Pause: Listen and Watch

    Pause Listen Sometimes the wind speaks, The birds sing as they fly, And the rivers throw up sounds Insects display incessant zithering, Rainfall is the beat of the rooftop, And woodpecker’s pecking is a rhythm Pause Watch Sometimes trees draw with dropping leaves, The sands are her drawing board, The crickets burrow on the sand,…

  • Folklore: The Shed of Trees Is Our Home

    The shed of trees is our playful home It’s where we learn to sing and dance, Under it, we wait for the moonlight, It’s a citadel when we play our games, Limbs we cling to, to mock the monkeys, It’s the grand shanty where father’s tales are told, The onset and climax of night where…

  • African Proverbs: On True Friendship

    Among true friends, even sharing water feels sweet. Friendship is an important part of life. True friendship goes beyond mere usefulness; it is a beautiful gift. Genuine friendship surpasses selfishness and many other qualities. It doesn’t compete with friends; instead, it strives to bring out the best in everyone. True friends see themselves as an…

  • Count Your Blessings

    Life is the greatest gift It’s worth more than gold, Silver or their equal Life’s turns and twists May bring chaos or reward But each night of survival Is one blessing counting

  • Failure Vs Regret

    Do not fear failure, fear regret Arise! Wake up! This is a clarion call! Resolve to take action today. Write that book or lyrics. Volunteer. Start that business. Vocalize that song. Take dancing classes. Work out. Travel. Live. Just a take step. What will it be? What will it take? If Failure or Success? If…

  • Haiku: Two Snails

    Two snails clash Thin grey trail, Green tree veils

  • Drumming Downpour

    ecstatic wind establishes tricky pools, rumbling thunderclaps are terrifying, both endow gardens and roads with flooding, a hard downpour is the drummer of the rooftop, it declares a feast where drums arouse heavy sleep

  • Morning

    Cruise Sometimes I get jealous of the free birds and butterflies. No one ever traveled like them. When the bird’s tweet they tell mighty stories of places man has never seen. There’s a particular family here, they sing all day. I keep marveling at what they are saying. One with the loudest voice repeats an…

  • A Lover’s Muse

    Love Is Beautiful Love is a beautiful thing. Love is that perfect feeling, an elixir that brings life to death. Love is a unique virtue that tests even the strength of the mightiest, the wisdom of the wisest and ability of the humankind. It’s a colour that gives meaning to life. Love encompasses all virtues.…

  • Sunrise – Nature’s Painting

    Magical Moment You will agree that sunrise is a beautiful and magical moment. The glamour and attraction are practically indescribable. Moreover, I reckon that sunrise is a therapeutic time. Sunrise signifies a new beginning, a fresh start, or hope. Sunrise I glimpse at the rising sun far away, It paints this reserved country gold, Glittering…

  • Peace

    Peace is like a journey of hope, Where throngs of colourful daffodils and dandelions greet, Peace is the quiet riverside, where tumbling brooks rush, And fishes halt to hear the rushing tides of water, Peace is this dreamy grassland, where green limbs shield, A citadel I run to when endurance & courage is hurt

  • Muse: Love Song

    Dear, If I said my mind, everything won’t matter, Your eyes glitter in this warm embrace We create love by exchanging poetic vows, You always make me write a love song

  • Untold Stories

    Little twinkle stars bold Upon the vast void Where invincible forts hold Abundant stories untold