Oke’s Musings: Poetry, People and Places

Author: Oke Iroegbu

  • Divine Grace by Rajan Varghese

    Embracing beauty and power Musical melodies of divine excellence Grace and smile composed By the finest artist in brilliance Destiny follows you like God’s will Man often ordained as master of his own work and destiny to receive honour And power! As the divine grace granting new life with a new name and blessings! Like…

  • African Zebra

    An extraordinary land Africa is a land of diversity and breathtaking beauty. From the rising golden sun to swiftly flowing rivers and peaceful, grazing black wildebeest across the brown and green savannah, you can always catch a glimpse of nature’s beautiful paradise. And nature has a way of healing everything… If you ever get the…

  • Legacy: Larry or Harry?

    Legacy Life is dynamic. It changes each time we look at it from different perspectives. This is a story you might know. It tells of two opposites: selfishness and generosity, greed and contentment. Larry and Harry Larry and Harry, two homeless men were given a chance to travel to a third world country on an…

  • Love Poem: Let’s Dream Away

    Your voice wakes the wild nature in me When you sing the lyrics gladden my soul I adore those moments you look over your shoulder To catch my happy stare; as you dance away, laughing *** You dress like tulips that grow on the farmyard Fresh, delicate pink, lively as green bean pods Scenting the…

  • Art of Divine Poetry By Bhagirath Choudhary (Translated to Italian, Filipino, Albanian, French, Romanian, Spanish, Serbian)

    Art of Divine Poetry Poetic imagination Praises beauty of creation Giving words and voice To every human nation Poet feels the pulse By his poetic impulse Bard’s heart resonates With loving sonnets. Loving poetic spell When rises well The ordinary mortal Becomes divine poetry portal. With sacred passions Poets dress up naked nations Bards like…

  • Abraham Lincoln’s Story

    Abraham’s Humble Story When Abraham Lincoln became the president of America, his father was a shoemaker. Naturally, egoistic people were very much offended that a shoemaker’s son should become the president. On the first day, as Abraham entered to give his inaugural address, just in the middle, one man stood up. He was a very…

  • Cranky Old Man: Anonymous Poet

    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…

  • Poets Corner: What have you gained writing Poetry?

    Poetry Poetry is a composition in verse or language, exhibiting conscious attention to patterns. The bolded are crucial to understanding the true nature of poems. Poetry has been in existence for centuries. As an art that survived centuries, I was curious to find out why lyrics are written for so long. And to those who…

  • Tale of Wild Woods: Summer Arrives

     When summer finally came, a lot had changed The last snow melted and the sad land woke Grasses started growing, covering the outer earth So those who burrow scrambled out from the dust Soft airs and tidings surround the mountainside Sending sweet emissaries around the valley below Vines, myrrh, mistletoes and pines sprout happily…

  • Self Confidence

    When you believe in yourself anything is possible. Why not? If you are lucky enough to find your passion, then how could giving up be an option? Giving up means accepting a lifetime of wondering what could have happened if you just believed in yourself enough to follow through. It doesn’t matter how fast or…

  • July Wishes

    Dear Friends, I’m grateful that we made it to July 2020. You’ll agree that the year has been a stressful one. I hope you’re well and keeping safe. Don’t be anxious, things will make sense soon and we’ll live to testify. Few hours before new year, I made a wish that I wanted to see…

  • Igbo (African) Proverbs

    Hello there! This is a post on selected Igbo proverbs. I wrote in the Igbo language, translated into English, and then gave its meaning. I did a blog post on sayings used in the novel Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe sometime ago. You can access it here. Have a great day! 1. Igbo: Nwaanyi…

  • Gilded Rays by Robin Bliss

    The slender gilded rays Of Winter sunshine, Brightens up this room. Where I sit writing. Hitting glassy surfaces, Of bottles,glistening. Feeling the warmth pleasantly, Warming my arms and legs. Your love my dearest, Is just as these beams. For your sweet tenderness has, Lightened up my dullness, And the warmth of your, Gentleness has captivated…

  • Haiku: Home

    Night fall dreams A ride through moonshine Home may tell tales

  • Modern Scramble for Africa

    A Bitter Pill What comes to your mind when you hear about Africa? Savages. Poverty. War ravaged. Disease. Uneducated? Let’s face it, Africa is what it is today because ‘the world’ contributed in keeping it so. We’re only poor by the world’s standard. This is a bitter pill. Another Scramble for Africa? The economic hustle…

  • Writing a Poem by David Thane Cornell

    Writing a poem is like picking flowers in a minefield. Lay down your life spread-eagled, so that the grass, sharp as syllables, won’t cut you. Let your fingers test the soil. Don’t tug at the roots. Seize adjectives for hostages, negotiable at the border between war and peace, leading you all the way back to…

  • Path to Harvest – Poem

    Joy is fruit blossomed in the heart of farmers Their smiles are meshed with toil and sweat, Patch of earth print upon their faces And on shoulders they carry huge baskets Marching towards the fields, when it is harvest… Fields are ripe, and trees are heavy with fruit Birds sing from tree tops, monkeys dance…

  • Poets Corner: What Is Beauty?

    JUST A LITTLE STORY Let me tell you a little story. I remember a picture story of a man that sat close to a girl in a park. The first image portrayed the man as ugly, dressed in unbuttoned black shirt, with all manner of rings, deep scars and tattoos. The pretty girl was dressed…

  • Reflection: The Virus and China

    Not so cuddly thought… As I lay on my bed I had a thought. A thought that actually provoked many questions. Maybe someone can help me understand these issues better if my opinion does not reflect reality. This is the first reflection on racism, the next will be on Africa. NB: I speak for people,…

  • Opinion: The 2020 World University Rankings

    As children in the typical agrarian world of Northern Cross River State, Nigeria, it was the tradition for mothers to leave their young babies in the care of the older ones while the mothers went to distant farms. Across the day the older children grappled with the occasional frustrating cries of their baby-siblings, sometimes grappled…

  • And So I Fly by Robin Bliss

    When I am Downtrodden. Trampled into the mud. Deserted by all. Misunderstood. Left for dead. Despised. Forgotten. You! My beloved, Are there for me. Your love, Lifts me up. Rising above, The mud and mire. Your love is, Unending, And I fly. Soaring on Gossamer Wings so high. You never let me down, And I…

  • Sunlight – Poetale of Gratitude

    Why am I so happy to see the sunrise and smell her sweet fragrance? I may not explain exactly, but this is why. Before now, I slept like a log, snoring away, unconscious of the world’s drama. Nocturnal creatures crept, and birds hooted. The night is innocently quiet, but it may have consumed many. My…

  • I am Poetry

    I am needle, needless of pain, driving through fabric, to create a happy stitch, I am dance, sometimes something sane, twists and turns, breaking within or without, I am fury, memories may wane, trust on mere ink and paper, pale but yet transparent I am innocence, a cry too soon, living for the weak, suns…

  • Poets Corner: Why is Poetry Less Popular?

    HOW I CAME TO LOVE POETRY As an introverted teen, I found solace in writing. All my thought was written in the form of poetry. I also wrote poetry for my faculty and student magazines. Fast forward to many years, and I submitted my first story and poetry to two different competitions. I didn’t make…

  • Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart: Proverbs and Meaning

    Onye aturu ilu kowaa ya, ego eji luo nne ya efuola ohia. Before I start this post permit me to greet Igbo people; those who own the proverbs I’m about to explore; Ndi Igbo kwenu! Ekelem unu o. Ndewonu. •Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe on Igbo traditional Isi-agu attire INTRODUCTION: PROVERBS There are many definitions for proverbs…

  • Let that dream soar – Poem

    Take charge today, be confident Let the morning shine on your talent But don’t just dream, bring life to it Start working on your beautiful gift, So it can soar and to other lives lift It may be reasons why the world wait But how will we know If first you won’t believe in you?…

  • Lullaby: Tale of the young Shepherdess

    I will tell you a rhyme of the shepherdess who loved her sheep, She lives in the country and could sing her community to sleep Twinkle went stars nested far up the pregnant black sky, When black clouds float, the gathering rain storm sigh, “It will rain, but it might wait a little,” the young…

  • Yankari National Park

    •Hippo Lake, Kainji National Park, Nigeria West Africa is home to many nature reserves and Nigeria has a fair share. In-between those colourful coastal cities and hot towns of the Sahara, there are protected parks that are worth visiting. Yankari is one of them. Yankari National Park is a large wildlife park located in the…

  • Peace: Declare war on War

    Let storms clap and rain fall heavily To wash fields free of blood & grease Let snow clog boots & war machines Let air blow deadly fighter jets off So darkness may turn to green fields & blue skies again Let the world know undiluted peace When Nature declares war on War! I pray for…

  • Morning Wind

    Morning wind, crisp smell, Moist dew, sun rise, beautiful land Take it all in and live in it, Inhale deeply before it’s gone

  • African Dawn

    ** Slope of pointed hills Black against the horizon Threat the sun with its fierce thrust As thin clouds streak across the sky ** Cloud underbellies glow reddish hue Morning warmth fight the heady moon Wide plains stretched, savannah grass paradise Sometimes lonely trees stand with yellow grass Ancient, raw, scattered lights slowly gather The…

  • Palm Tree

    Beautiful ornament, guardian of my land I salute you gladiator, My great warrior! Your strong fronds are high To shade the village from heat, You stand on those ancients hills A pillar rooted deep into earth, Little forests grow, here and there, You tower over all, trees and fauna, But yet a citadel for great…

  • Orie Market Day

    It’s Orie day here. Orie is a big market day in Isuikwuato. Everybody will be heading to the market to trade. People from different places buy and sell here. I walk through the quiet hills to get some fresh air and pick some flowers. Thankfully I have the quiet road to myself. I also have…

  • Nature’s Kindness

    Bird songs, colourful butterflies and sun rays, Are fruits from Nature’s basket of kindness, To man, his clan she gave tranquility and peace

  • Haiku: I touch the sky

    Clouds mock me Yet I touch the sky, I have no wings

  • Amuse: Tomato Poem

    Today I met this round twins, sumptuous red fruit By the garden they grew, so I’ll make a muse for it. 1. Hanging down hopelessly as their weight was a clear burden, Close to a busy ant hole, where ants traversed without care, Their redness portray the sun’s ire but they seem quite unperturbed I…

  • When Waterfalls sing

    I told trees of your songs and they are jealous, When you drop, birds and the wild stop to listen, To hear you sing a melody from the long fall And watch you wash your garment on the rush below

  • Quote: Compassion & Confidence

  • Traveler

    The traveler is like the sun Which traverse the length of Earth, Seen her people, food and cultures He is like a blast of the wind Blowing cold and hot at times And fine dust is his companion The traveler is like a compass Searching for North pole Seeking gladly new lands The traveler is…

  • The Day May End But Not Our Love

    Look into my eyes And see how special you are Feel my heart jump with joy That is because you are here Let’s watch the setting sun Let’s admire her jealous laughter, With a kiss she says a goodbye The day may end but not our love For everyone who loves genuinely. Love your neighbor…

  • Imagining Love

    Imagine riding a horse into sunset Or sitting with kids to hear rare stories Or listening to country late into the night Or picking beautiful flowers & berries, With the one you truly love… Start a blog here.

  • A Tree Poem

    Sitting under a long leafy treeOn a mild and serene noonWith Nature’s finest creatures;A stray buzzing bee,A colony of black ants,A handful of wild mushrooms,And some twittering birdsCool breeze blew at intervalsBringing smell of cattle to meWhile tree leaves tried to seeThose who took refuge under her shadeBlushing at the admiration on our eyes,Falling off…

  • Warm Hugs from Africa

  • Little Frog

    Oh little looking weebly-woobly Frog Jumping about on a quiet blue lake ‘Dob-wob, Dob-wob‘, it croaked into evening Calling to all nature’s big and small, For some short but lively weebly-woobly dance Start your blog today. Image provided by Mary Grace M. Salomes, MGMS. I decided to write a short piece for children. My friend,…

  • What I think of Poverty (Poetry)

    What if I told you a poem of poverty Will you wave it off and call me silly? I will tell you what I think Why communities continue to sink, School children trek miles to get a bus Their worn-out shoes make it worse, Bright girls will deliberately miss school Sanitary pads their excuse, without…

  • Reflection: Respecting our Environment

    Most of my quiet times are for self-reflection. Each time I prepare to reflect, I take nothing along, invite no one, and try to keep my brain free of thoughts. I assume that I’ve nothing save from myself and my environment. During my stay in Workers Village, Tudun Amba in Lafia, Nigeria, I take long…

  • Night rain

    Now it rains heavily with thunder, And with cold, her breezy messenger, I watch the rain fall from my window, Fast, soft drops crash into glass panes This heavy rain ploughed, and sow, Her lullabic seeds across my land, Soft, sweet breezes reign with her Battling a stranger for his umbrella, In pitch darkness cover,…

  • Draw the Sun

    Draw the golden sun, let it shine on dreams, Trust little beginnings, hope for the best, Reach for the stars, live this colorful dream Start you blog today.

  • Quotes on Children

    Seeing a child laugh or smile at me gives me exceptional joy. As a math teacher, I am privileged to work with them. I have collected some quotes on children to celebrate my love for them. “Every child you encounter is a divine appointment.” – Wess Stafford “Children are like wet cement: whatever falls on…

  • Letter: Heal today

    Dear Friends, I always talk about forgiveness because someone out there needs to let go. Life is designed in such manner that people may not always have it as they wish or want. So disappointments, heartbreaks, hurt, betrayal and pain are unfortunately part of life. Being good does not guarantee that people will be good…