Oke’s Musings: Poetry, People and Places

Author: Oke Iroegbu

  • Let me By Elizabeth Amarachukwu Okafor

    Let me lead you this way I found thorns with honey just for you Wishes I stroll you farther, for the intense of my instinct is all warming While along, I was going to tell you, But every passing sunrise, my words are rolled back to breathing you My fume is reluctant, craving you as…

  • African Wonders 2: Sahara Desert

    The Sahara Desert in North Africa is big – very big! It covers a third of the whole continent, measuring 8.6 million square kilometres. It is almost the same size as the USA. It is the largest hot desert in the world. The highest temperature ever recorded there was 58 °C. In a single day,…

  • African Wonders 1: Victoria Falls

    The Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe earns the title of the biggest waterfall in the world. It is 1708 metres across and it drops between 90 and 107 metres into the Zambezi Gorge. An average of 9.2 million litres of water cascades over the edge of the falls every second at peak seasons. Because Victoria Falls…

  • Dear Politician

    Dear Politician, I write to you with a sad heart Somewhere in my being I grieve My blue ink run fast on paper Like red from men on the streets I wonder why you look elsewhere Sipping your tea with disgust While this nation fall apart! Trust is a rare commodity We gave all to…

  • Three Colours of Love by Njabulo N

    Good evening. Today I will share with you THREE COLOURS OF L♡VE poem. In one’s lifetime one may experience only three kinds of love: 1. You love at a young age and let everything go down the drain because of stupid things 2. You fall in love and along the journey you get hurt, lied…

  • Distract me with love – Poetry

    Tell me an amusing story One that drives sorrows away Laugh at me or with me Sing a song, hum a slow lullaby Pull my ears and call me names Let’s ride on a train to Utopia Grab my hands let’s elope To fields wild as a writer’s mind Call my name, bring me back…

  • Thoughts – Poetry

    I’m memories away from you Yet you live just in my heart I look up the skies to see your face, And each star glitter with your smile I’m left with memories of us, so blessed It’s been 15 years already and I continue to miss your love and care. For DSc Nduka Iroegbu, my…

  • Sonnet: The Storm is Over

    How winds have howled! How all small life lay low, Trembling in the face of awesome pow’r!… Sonnet: The Storm is Over

  • The Village

    Once the sun rise, life regains its joy More birds glide up the pretty skies Fast rodents play in the shrub nearby As smoke rise from long chimneys Little children leave for school, Fathers spend the day in farms, Mothers gather materials for food Everyone has got a role to play Squirrels hide in tree…

  • Opinion: Eurasia & Nagorno-Karabakh 2

  • Two Poems: Nature Sings To Me and Once The Little Tiddlers by Peniel Gifted

    1. NATURE SINGS TO ME Nature sings to me In the most melodious tune of joy Tickling happiness into the shattered lonely me. Nature sings to me To make me feel like a king Tune of everlasting peace In my ears, it ring And truly, I know I’m really blessed. Nature sings to me And…

  • Soldier Ants

    No one wants an army of ants patrolling around their front door or garden. But talk of an endless stream of army ants? That doesn’t sound very appealing. I saw a file of soldier ants (ólú-mba in the Igbo language) last night. I never imagined they would mobilize into a larger force. The next morning,…

  • Nostalgia: Hills I Call Home

    I sit outside my granny’s house, clad in blankets and a pillow. It was a rainy day and a very cold one. The cold extended into the evening and early night. The village is surrounded by streams and hills and this must have contributed to the extreme weather. I left town a few hours ago…

  • Lumberer’s Faith – Poetry

    Many walk this path, many never return the same Before sunset, the town gets filled-up with tired men Those who found providence in wood Returning hands weak and worn-out, Overtaken by life’s numerous good For faith waits to guide to paths Where hope as lush forests flourish

  • Opinion: Eurasia & Nagorno-Karabakh

  • Happy Independence Day Nigeria!

    On this day 60 year’s ago Nigeria got her independence. Things may not be right at the moment but our hope and faith will prevail. We shall rise above tribalism, intolerance, hatred and indiscipline. Let’s celebrate Nigeria, the giant of Africa with her beautiful images.

  • How to Paint like Van Gogh (Poetry) by David Thane Cornell

    Viewers will think it’s only a print when they view it, if you don’t put your whole body and mind into it. The sun in your head, a storm in your heart, is a good start. Now lie down for hours among sunflowers. Then, when the storm passes, don’t cut off your ear, paint this…

  • UNESCO ‘Sheroes’ Nigeria Competition

    The issue of human rights and gender equality is gaining momentum. And this is the best time to get things right. So I submitted this piece below: She’s a lady and more, The mother of life, And heartbeat of nations, Innocent child by the street corner Torn apart by her own society Groomed in love…

  • Morning Sun – Poetry

    Glittering morning sun, Woke to nature’s beauty, Warm scent of caked clay Leftover from night storm, To me life is series of moments; Made up of sounds and sights Cackling peacocks, blue skies, Green fields, huge waterfalls, A female goat calling to her kid, Group of laughing basket weaving girls, Three red headed lizards fighting,…

  • A Shepherd’s Poem

    Sun set slowly above the wood Shadows appear, shepherd dreams; Soft breeze upon evening tide, Smell of sheep dung, Slices of malted bread, Songs from the wine inn, Situated by the river bend, Sober men drink their heart fill, Silent hills, retreating birds, Sally may sing her radio favourite, Something to celebrate our countryside, Scent…

  • Painting by Sthembiso Msibi

    Trust me she’s got amazing talent. See more of her work on IG: @sthekamsibi

  • Magpie and the Squirrel – A Poem

    Swooping down in excitement from a tree, A magpie spies the nuts and seeds with me. A squirrel nearby watches the commotion, Its swishing tail plotting paths of anticipation. The bounty descends effortless to the ground, Like wheat chaff in the muted siren of sound. As the magpie dances, delighted at the sight, The squirrel…

  • Quote: No Mountain Too Great

    There’s no mountain too great Hear these words and have faith -Diana Ross

  • African Proverb: Someone who Shouts

    There is nothing to fear from someone who shouts. Meaning: In Igbo land, it’s assumed that people who make a lot of noise are cowards. The principle of more action and less talk is the foundation of this proverb. The English version is the empty drum makes the loudest noise.

  • The Lucern Tree by Robin Bliss

    The Lucerne tree in flower White petals floating down Carpeting the pathway, and The front veranda with a sea Of white, white everywhere Coming upon this alba sea As a child; with music in my head Amazed at the ocean of pearl Sitting down in the middle of whiteness Whiteness all around me, whiteness Whiteness…

  • Night Fall In The Countryside

    Night falls behind the village fence Last traces of day, shadows fade Tree lines turn grey and black While the sky host a million stars Quiet evening, sound of water Heard down the waterfalls, by the streamside And from thickets bullfrogs wade Enjoying the fresh and sweet breeze Tree branches play with the wind Soft…

  • Quote on War

    Whoever likes war is not in his right senses and is a lunatic. We must ensure there is no war again. – Sir Joseph Hammond, Ghanaian World War Two Veteran

  • Love Poems: I Celebrate You

    Hausa Language A greater percentage of the population in Northern Nigeria speak Hausa language. I lived in Northern Nigeria for roughly a year. Looking back to those months, I will say it was eye-opening and fun. I learned some of the culture and traditions. I met great people and made friends who were ever willing…

  • The Egg, The Coffee Beans and The Potato

    A short story A little boy named John lived in a beautiful home with his parents. One day, his father found him crying and asked if something was wrong. John said meekly, “I have so many problems in life, and talked about his ‘problems’. John’s father patiently listened to him. Then he brought a bowl…

  • Hometown by Peniel Gifted

    That magnificent city Built beautifully Its walls painted in great colours Furnished with happy diamonds Its streets with the unceasing glitters. My hometown The city of the two great hills The city where I feel the cool breeze of nativity Beholding the swaying tulips and smiling sun The love of nature, giving me the mild…

  • Sun rays

    Tall tree canopies, Sun rays filter Morning their phantom

  • Reflection: A Cold World

    An empathetic mindset and love are what we need for a better world. It’s utterly monstrous weather out there. Each time the breeze touches my skin, I shudder and sneeze. I’m cuddled on the bed, clutching a phone in one hand in a dark room, too lazy to read or even find a light. No…

  • Hang out with Njabulo Nkambule from eSwatini

    Hello everyone. I have with me a friend and an African brother who is passionate about poetry and his motherland. Please let’s welcome Njabulo Nkambule, a poet from eSwatini. I admire his work so much, and if you follow my blog, you might have seen a couple of his poems. In this post, I’ll ask…

  • Musical Africa: Talking Drum

    The Talking Drum is peculiar to the Yoruba people of West Africa. Musical Africa You will agree with me that Africa is a musical continent. It’s full of sounds and songs. Every tribe and nation has a peculiar musical identity. As dressing and languages differ so do musical instruments. I will like to share a…

  • Morning Sun

    I’m glad to see the rising sun It tells by sight stories unspoken And paints my curtain perfect green Divine love woke me to a new start, A new life, something to celebrate When I gather the curtains To glance through tree lines And green field glittering in the sun, The rays catch my breath,…

  • Poem: Love Conquers

    If dreams are colourless Then love is a magical dream That teaches and encourages, It trusts from the heart Builds bridges over water To bring worlds together True love shared Fear no colour or creed I lay my head On your shoulders Let’s take this love to moments Where all eyes see its beauty

  • Lullaby: Sing for me a Lullaby

    Sing for me dear nightingale Gather your host of voices Rant through the early night Tweet away joyfully from heart Let my ears quiver from your song Let frogs and crickets listen to it To respond with their baritone Sing for the sweet nectar For red roses and hibiscus And the traveling sunlight Tell the…

  • African Proverb: A Young Tree

    A tree is straightened while it is still young – Proverb from Burundi. Meaning: I chose to take this proverb in its literal form because it’s pretty evident that a fully grown tree can’t be transplanted or manipulated in any way. What I mean is that it’s not stressful to try to make a sapling…

  • Night rain on my window

    Night rain upon my window panes While clouds rumble in protest The lightning picture through my curtains And shadows dance away from candlelight

  • Parenting

    Power in words This is a touching story. When I read it I felt very bad. It’s not imagined. In South Africa, an 11 year old child committed suicide on his mother’s birthday as a birthday gift to his mother. He left a letter saying, “On today’s special day, I want you to be the…

  • African Proverb: On A Snake’s Ability

    Igbo Proverb: If a snake fails to show its venom, little kids will use it in tying firewood. Origin: A snake is a dangerous reptile. Snake poison can kill an adult in minutes. In Africa, snake bites contribute to deaths. In Igbo land where this proverb originated from, snakes are not toyed with. In some…

  • Racism

    It costs absolutely nothing to be kind Live and Let Live An Igbo (African) proverb goes thus: Let the Eagle perch, let the Kite (bird) perch also. Any that forbids the other from perching let his wings break! We say that as prayers in West Africa because it’s a reminder and belief that all men…

  • Some Lucky Men

    Some men are born to good luck All they do or try to do comes right All their geese are swans All their cards are trumps Toss them which way you will They will always like poor puss alight upon their legs And only move so much the faster

  • Time

    Make hay while it shines This talent of mine… This is one talent I find solace in. It’s an avenue to paint my heart on ink, to play with the soul of nature and record lovely and beautiful memories. In my mind I create a happy and peaceful world; where I live in fine images…

  • Poets Corner: Difference between Wisdom, Knowledge and Education.

    My take on this… It’s generally believed that knowledge is power. Yet many find it difficult to differentiate between wisdom and knowledge. For me knowledge is having the stuff while wisdom boils down to application of the stuff. To differentiate both from education is even a thing of further logic. In my opinion education should…

  • This Day, This Year, This Life By Pam Impson

    So much gone, so much wrong So much sorrow in this song Teary in my isolation Weary in my desperation Panting in my desolation Ranting in complete frustration So much yearning to belong So much is gone, so much is wrong This day It rolled me like a cheap cigar Stale inside a crowded bar…

  • Love Poem: Dream Together

    Faint voices speak, Loud in my mind I look in your eyes It tells sweet stories If I look away It is to smile, in my heart We live beautiful moments, Laughter, peace, kindness, Harmony, playful fights And you, a perfect inspiration; Pouting red lips That reminds of cherries, Hair dancing in the breeze That…

  • Farewell Nkosi, the Black Panther

    Life, like mist, is temporary, but legacies live on and last forever. The Black Panther I get easily bored with movies. It’s hard to see me watching TV anyway. No matter how much I try, I only watch National Geographic Wild and Discovery documentaries. But when a movie truly hooks me, I can watch it…

  • Breathe Again by Njabulo N.

    Breathe again, Like you have just gained yet another chance to live, Life is not promised but experienced and lived. I have grown to be a different person, Different from normal people who do everything like everyone. My life is not the same anymore, I wonder why everyone is worried about it, I no longer…

  • Mary Slessor and The Killing of Twins

    Tradition can be wrong Sometimes tradition can be wrong. This story is a good one because it tells of a good hearted woman who saved innocent babies and it’s a gruesome story because it exposes the wickedness of ancient African tradition. Mary Slessor Mary Slessor, Scottish missionary in Eastern Nigeria, was born in 1848 in…