Oke’s Musings: Poetry, People and Places

Author: Oke Iroegbu

  • Egypt: Land of the Mummies

    Here is Egypt’s iconic pyramids taken by a friend who went there last month. Welcome to Pharaoh’s land! There’s a lot to see and do in Egypt and the African continent. Visit Africa today.

  • Palm Trees

    Like a tropical masquerade she stood With hands as long and spiky fronds And breasts as red fruits, ripe and Fresh snacks for all who come to her feast Long are her strong and tiny roots For she stands as firm sentry and greets All that journey through the quiet hamlet She hides behind hills…

  • Reflection

    Fast falls the evening tide in Ovim. At this time of the day thick fog descend from hills surrounding our village. Tens of thousand incessant voices converse in low tones. I’m confused on which to listen to. Evenings must be a time of reflection for every creature. It’s even more exciting to sit among them…

  • Little Feather

    Dreams are not for you little feather For you must fly and soar above all, Above those who may delay your sails And across thick forests and arid lands Which are nobody’s foe or friend I am jealous of you but wish you well So wave me a bye, spread your wings, And let the…

  • Jorinda and Jorindel from Gutenberg Project

    There was once an old castle, that stood in the middle of a deep gloomy wood, and in the castle lived an old fairy. Now this fairy could take any shape she pleased. All the day long she flew about in the form of an owl, or crept about the country like a cat; but…

  • Morning sun

    Shine forth morning sun Make dew drop and disappear Paint the world gold And take all gloom away, From fields let farmers behold, From forgeries let smiths smile And from hamlets let our joy flow With every fine memory you bring

  • Morning view of Uwaoma Hill

    Exotic view of Ugwu Uwaoma! The pathway leads to Umukwu, my granny’s place. This morning I was privileged to pass through this ancient hill. Around the hill are ponds and streams. There are Catfish and other species in them. I will visit the farm later to collect some wood. I heard there’s a stream before…

  • Haiku of the Harmattan

    Green things are brown Harmattan made them so Even trees turn mad dancers

  • Dust of Locust with Steven M Ross

    Okechukwu Iroegbu: A dark patch I saw from afar On a day the doors were left ajar A falling mist upon earth Greysome; a sight I loath The sun had seen much For I, never seen such Steven M Ross: Sunlight still prevail Every emotion that you feel Like poetry is a bust So does…

  • Happy New Year

    Morning of 31 December: I helped process cassava harvested from our farm. You might notice I haven’t been regular since new year’s eve. It’s part of my duty to work in the farm when I travel home. Processing cassava is a hectic task and I tend to sleep off each night without writing or reading.…

  • Uwaoma Hill

    There’s a hill standing against my path This lonely morning, part of the cold forest Birds sing in trees, when sunrise in the mist Green and brown grasses escort my twisting path

  • Happiness

    Happiness is a state of emotion of being joyful. Real happiness comes from the inside. It is a function of love, peace, contentment and gratitude. The breath we have is enough reason to keep us happy! Don’t forget that happiness is free. So stay happy for the simple things you see. Love ❤

  • Umukwu’s Masquerades

    I never knew today was Ekpo (masquerade) day in Umukwu, Ovim. I was having a little nap when the noisy drummers arrived with the masquerades. When I was growing up I witnessed many masquerade carnivals and took particular interest in Ebulu–ogu – the biggest and stout masquerade. They are known to be merciless and stubborn.…

  • Giant Moth

    I met a fluffy looking insect In the cold early morning Resting by the door step Looking comely and pretty And I said “What a beauty!” He looked rude and saucy For he twisted to a corner When I spoke to him Kept mute and ignored Then I knew he was also proud Sunrise, lizards…

  • Back Home

  • Christmas!

    Celebrate with love and gift hope to all that may need it. 🌲❤

  • Merry Christmas Eve

    As we progress to the year’s end, remember to enjoy the people God has put in your life. Drop all forms of disagreements and grudges, be humble to serve others, let things you can’t control be and try to help people. Forgive and see things from different angles. Never forget to spend quality time with…

  • Christmas Stories 2

    “Tonight the stars will guide us to the baby Take your cloaks, it will be a long journey” One magi summoned his excited companions It was dark but they prepare their camel train Cold airs spread the late evening mist As they marched through sand and dust Winds soared, it was darker up the clouds…

  • Masoyina (My Love)

    Love is when you stare into my eyes To smile when we got no reason to It gives me pleasure to love you, masoyina* And I cherish that I do every sunset **** Masoyina*: Hausa language for my love.

  • Harmattan winds

    Harmattans graceful blankets slowly descend, Blowing dry brown dust upon our hamlet, On misty mornings and smoky evenings

  • Haiku: Sunlight

    Sunlight rays peep through leaves Playful squirrels own the branches Mushrooms sit amused when nuts fall

  • African Proverbs 15

    A tree is straightened while it is still young. Proverb from Burundi

  • Image: Two African girls

    Here is an image of two beautiful African girls. In Africa life is simple. This two girls posed for a picture, one smiling and the other hands on her head. What do you make of this image?

  • Christmas Stories 1

    There’s twinkling stars across the dark night, Tiny, shiny dots adorning the wide firmament Then sang the Whistling pines a song, so sweet That the Woodpecker with his beak started a beat And all became amazed, even the Nightingale family Now up the dark skies three bold stars shine gracefully The shepherd was about to…

  • Welcome to Akara

  • Dance in the Rain

    Let’s dance in the rain Throw our worries to the wind Raise your hands And dodge my water blow, Gather the rain water Return my punch Let this flow turn to dance When clouds gather That’s a great sign- It must be the rain! Or the comely evening But let’s wait, If it’s the rain’s…

  • Folklore: Old Sultan from project Gutenberg

    A shepherd had a faithful dog, called Sultan, who was grown very old, and had lost all his teeth. And one day when the shepherd and his wife were standing together before the house the shepherd said, “I will shoot old Sultan tomorrow morning, for he is of no use now.” But his wife said,…

  • Friendship

    Listen and ride through nostalgia Friendship may restore old memories Of joyful love and companionship

  • Dear Diary: State of Affairs

    Dear Diary, This isn’t poetry or politics, but a personal note, a soliloquy, and thoughts that bother me. I see corruption every day, and it seems people are too timid to stand against it. Most are afraid of something. And I know what that something is. Maybe I’m a little scared again, but I’m uncomfortable…

  • Candlelight

    Dear candlelight Dance for me, throw your light Upon the darkness in this box Make these great shadows a hoax Fire your joyful flames up So you may read words my pen drop Gather your heat and strength Waltz with the wind, feel the warmth Dance again when you lick the air Mock me when…

  • A lovers poem

    Will you stare into my eyes when I say I missed you, To see the strings that hold my heart melt before your gaze And the fire in my soul dance for the joy of beholding you? Will you hold these tired hands and caress it As a skilled guitarist would with his instrument To…

  • How I see trees

    It’s grandeur how trees culture mushrooms, Gathering all little termites to themselves And providing their needs of shelter and food Their branches are playground for monkeys and flies, They shed leaves which serve as bed for worms below Birds nest and sing from the farthest of leaves, Squirrels hide and seek, throwing nuts at strangers…

  • Folklore: King Grisly Beard from Project Gutenberg

    A great king of a land far away in the East had a daughter who was very beautiful, but so proud, and haughty, and conceited, that none of the princes who came to ask her in marriage was good enough for her, and she only made sport of them. Once upon a time the king…

  • In Ovim 2

  • Haiku of the night 3

    Airy evening for all tree dwelling fellows Sparrows sing, Robins bass as crickets chirp Two happy lovers sit listening *** Hello everyone. I promised to post more about my hometown. I’m having issues uploading images, so I’ll do that once I’m back to town.

  • In Ovim

    I’m back to Ovim Isuikwuato, my hometown. It has been a long week for me, marking and grading students’ math exam. Coupled with the noisy neighbourhood, the stress nearly overwhelmed me. Thank God it’s Friday. Now far away from work and town’s hustle bustle, I can feel myself heal. The surrounding hills – notably Ugwu…

  • There is more to life by Miracle Kelechi

    I stumbled on this and think it is worth sharing. Thank you Miracle Kelechi for the reminder that there is more to life than worries.

  • A haiku of the night 2

    Soft wool, fluffy pillow, starry night Three fellows bidding a shepherd sleep Crickets sing from cracks in the wall

  • The Animal King

    Do you know why there is no king in the animal kingdom? Here is a story narrating why. I wrote this poetale a longtime ago. Have fun. Once upon a time In a land far away, Across seven rivers And seven hills Lived a clan of animals They knew no strife No envy, no rivalry…

  • Happy New Month, December 1 2019

    Ah. It’s December the first again. The Year’s last born month. 😊 Good morning everyone. I wish you all a great month and merry Christmas in advance! 😘

  • Reflecting on the Sunset

    There’s that feeling of nostalgia when the sun drifts away from the hamlets, sinking, sailing through the clouds like a golden phantom, spherical like a child’s playball. Sometimes when it’s hot we wish away the sun and when it’s cold we wish the sun’s heat could warm our land. It’s man’s nature to want balance…

  • Every man is King…

    In Africa it is believed that every man is a King (in his house). Here is an image of an African child having fun sitting on his throne of bricks.

  • Diary of a Village Boy: The Leopard Spirit 4 (Headhunters 2)

    One of the men unsheathed his shiny machete while the others looked on. I stopped in my tracks, thinking wearily. Were they indeed, headhunters? Maybe they are hunting for slaves for, in those times, the slave trade was booming. If they were none of those, why would they be blocking my way with machetes? Strange…

  • The Baobab

    I tried drawing this evening and this is what I made. I call it the Baobab tree. The Baobab is an iconic African tree. It’s a symbol of the African Savannah that can survive in arid regions. The wood, barks, leaves, fruits and roots serve as food, drugs and raw materials for man and animals.…

  • Pirate ship by ‘Jindu Iroegbu

    ‘Jindu paints another image. This he identified as a pirate ship sailing on blue waters. There are birds enjoying the sea breeze. ‘Jindu likes The Pirates of the Caribbean and other sea faring movies, maybe this influenced this painting. Sometimes I wonder how it feels to go on a sea voyage. Thanks to ‘Jindu’s painting,…

  • The Witch’s Lair

    Once there was a traveler, weak and weary, Fatigued with the burden of travel and bag on his back, And many tiny painful stones hiding in his shoes He carried a bag which held a guitar for he could play But faint was he, clinging closely to his life, Hoping to see an inn or…

  • Visit Africa: Safari

    Safari is a term used for expeditions to observe or hunt animals in their natural habitats. It has a Swahili origin and it is commonly used in East Africa. You might want to consider Safari as a holiday option. There are beautiful things waiting for you to enjoy. The misty sunrise and magical sunset will…

  • Sunset captured by Robin Bliss

    Beautiful hues adorn the skies when Robin captured these images.

  • Night rains

    Darkened clouds bark with dogs When surging winds sweep through The hamlet and nearby forest Flying rain drops turn deep bass Blowing out the sticky candle light, Wrestling with tree branches, shaking window frames Twisting away, undressing tied curtains As the rain drops play on the glass Ghostly lightning snap across the skies Creating alien…

  • Amuse: Slow School Bus

    Where’s that slow school bus?