Okechukwu’s Musings: Poetry, People and Places

Author: Oke Iroegbu

  • Footprints Revisited

    Footprints leave quiet images on soft sands where the pristine is white. Sometimes images blur; other times they spread wide. Sand grains embedded in tracks distort dents in the regular sand—a track to memory and the sands of time.

  • Beauty by Mike Noxaura

    A baby cooing A star is going nova The smile of a bride The blush of a teenage boy The laughter, unafraid of a grandma The solid advice of a grandpa The wind in the trees A tiger on the hunt The smell of sage and sweetgrass burning in a sweat lodge The peyote and…

  • Green Shade

    Greenlight Perfect shade When trees Serve as citadels On rough days

  • The Spotted Hyena: Africa’s Strongest Teeth!

    Passion If I didn’t have a degree in finance or work in different humanitarian aid endeavours such as schools and human rights institutions, I would be a zoologist or a vet. This love for nature was captured in my nursery school report as a kid who loves playing with living objects. Then, I had a…

  • Reason

    There’s a reason that you are the one. When there are many motives and whatnot; in you, I found a reason to love again.

  • Africa’s First Story

    High up above the hills of Africa, the dark-winged clouds of the night were still folded above the village and surrounding valley. Man and the domestic animals that were his slept. But the antelope of the forest and the small fleet-footed gazelle were wide awake. In a short time, early morning dew descends from ancient…

  • For Haiti

    Modern civilization or mechanization is worthless without humane affection and love Beautiful Or Not What a beautiful morning. I wake to familiar bird songs. Every morning, these cheerful birds sing their hearts out, welcoming everyone to a new day. Treelines are lit up by the rays of the rising sun. Dew collects in droplets on…

  • Sweet Lemons by Njabulo N.

    Twists You may agree that lemons are not as sweet as they look. Some of the species are not just sour but bitter. When life gave us lemons, we learned to make lemonade and every poet knows how to paint this well. Enjoy this piece straight from eSwatini. Sweet Lemons I wish I could use…

  • Daylight Aura

    daylight aura keen tantrums distant flyers. the sky is alive with joy a positive bird moment where singing greets the blue skies, bright days wed birds and firmaments and a pleasant symphony awaits all this morn of frolic & awed spectators.

  • 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, Dear Followers!

  • 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?

  • Everybody Deserves Love

  • 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 taken a break, and the stream and river levels had receded. It’s the 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 A childhood class taught a lesson in perseverance and diligence. It featured a little spider who never gave up and an overthrown king who learned to be resilient. I’ll retell the story in simple words. Once, a king was ousted by his brother. He sat in despair, pondering his fate in a…

  • 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 Arrives 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

  • 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 trees’ shade is our playful home. It’s where we learn to sing and dance. Under them, we wait for the moonlight. They’re a citadel when we play our games, limbs to cling to as we mock the monkeys. They’re 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