Okechukwu’s Musings: Poetry, People and Places

Author: Oke Iroegbu

  • Sound of Water

    My poems are like sounds of flowing water, It tells of no serious things in particular; But little of people that wash others’ feet And the wild that call green forests home It talks of fauns that hide in crevices And dreamy waterfalls, happy to fall with currents, Rushing, flowing in streams and rivers, Out…

  • Australia Awards Africa

    The Australia Awards is the cornerstone of the Australian Government’s development assistance program for Africa. It provides access to postgraduate education, training and professional development opportunities for suitably qualified Africans from eligible countries. On their return to the workplace, Australia Awards alumni are expected to contribute to the development of their home countries. If you…

  • World Cities Day: Gaborone on CGTN Africa

    On World Cities Day, correspondents of CGTN Africa traveled to Gaborone, capital of Bostwana to find out what makes the city special and how governments can make improvements to increase accessibility for persons with disabilities.

  • Worrying

    Like strong surging water worrying Seeks to drive Joy and Peace away, It throws parties for Depression and Self-pity, And gladly the duo fix what should or should not be Worrying clenches open palms, It crashes great resolutions, Reconfigures good dreams, And creates for the mind, fatal walls Like calm and still waters, Mindfulness pays…

  • The Forest’s rhyme

    Even before mists and dews evaporate The green forest was awake, tending to her residents But the cold iron snake will have none of her benevolence

  • Significance of Breaking the Kola nut

    Onye wetara oji wetara ndu (Igbo) He who brings Kola brings life… Kola nut is a symbol of hospitality and friendship in Nigeria. While other food can be cooked, the Kola nut needs no special preparation before presentation. It’s a bitter fruit of the Kola tree¶, grown all over tropical Africa. In Igbo land, Kola…

  • Health benefits of Tiger Nuts

    January this year, I visited a friend in Abuja, Nigeria and she welcomed me with a juice. This juice was nourishing. I learned that it was Tiger nut milk mixed with coconut milk and crushed dates! It was quite tasty for a traditional drug! Permit me to introduce the Tiger nut AKA Chufa and yellow…

  • AWF: Manyara Ranch Conservancy

    From a mismanaged cattle ranch to a prime wildlife area. When African Wildlife Foundation began operating Manyara Ranch Conservancy, poaching was rampant in the area. Now, the 45,000 acre ranch is a well maintained wildlife corridor between Tanzania’s Tarangire and Manyara National Parks. Video from African Wildlife Foundation.

  • Swing by Okoroji Chidiebere Alexander

    Ding-Ding, The heart is new, The heart is free, The heart is keen, What else is left unseen. Knock-Knock, We’ve closed, We took overdose, We didn’t really pose, So we loss, To a better boss. Ping-Ping, My ink is dry, My hair is grey, My mind is heavy, My soul up for prey, I’m a…

  • November 1/11/19

    November, 2019 is finally here and the year is almost done! There might be setbacks on our way but note that it’s not over yet. Jackson Brown penned, “In the confrontation between the stream and the rock, the stream always wins – not through strength but by perseverance.” Remember that the greatest Oak was once…

  • Why you should visit Africa 3

    From nature reserves to rivers and lakes, and from stunning valleys to exotic wildlife, Africa has a lot to offer. Welcome to this edition of Why You Should Visit Africa brought to you by Oiroegbu.com. 1. Adventure: If you truly love nature and adventure, then you should visit Africa. There’s so much to do and…

  • African Proverbs 10

    Here is an interesting Akan tribe (Ghana) proverb: a rat says, what belongs to me, is in my stomach and not in my mouth. Explanation: True ownership of something needs no advertising.

  • Sow Love

    It was Israel More who said, “You should either be like the candle that produces light or like a mirror which reflects it. Pray for love; sow love, show love, and share love.” “…By this shall all men know that you are my disciples – if you love one another.” Jesus Christ (John 13.35) “Ignite…

  • When there was love

    When there was love, I saw the clouds Clear like the sweet spring water Leaping, joyfully from rocks, Falling, washing pebbles white, And rushing to feed unknown lands

  • When Beauty Fades by Okoroji Chidiebere Alexander

    I can feel comfortable with flowers, What a beauty! What an aroma!! I can’t resist the gentle, Pure and, how sacred they are, What else can life be proud of? I’m really proud of life’s many beauty, And many lies. But here beauty fades, Like addiction, It becomes uninteresting, With time, It loses its value,…

  • Diary of a Village Boy: The Leopard Spirit 2 (Mazi Kenem & Spirit Animal)

    It was evening when I reached Mazi Kenem’s house. Dada had asked me to return a basket borrowed from the older man during the New Yam festival. It was an old basket; most of the raffia used to weave it was damaged. The evening breeze and cloudy skies painted a vague but hopeful imagery in…

  • Himalayan in pictures by Urvsh

    My friend Urvsh is holidaying in the Himalayan. She shares with us her images and videos. The Himalayan range is located in the Indian subcontinent. Mt Everest, K2 and Kanchenjunga, some of the world’s highest peaks lies in the Himalayan range.

  • Legend of Wawadomea: First Wave of sails

    There are dreams I like to forget. These dreams came, went and when I wake I find myself still wallowing in my own reverie. These dreams gave me illusions and changed the way I perceived the pirates. After the quick fight with the cannibals of Juren, a small island off the coast of the bigger…

  • Paper People by Harry Baker

    Excellent spoken poetry! Enjoy.

  • African Proverbs 9

    We should put out fire while it is still small… Kenyan proverb. There’s an Igbo version for this proverb: Remove the Monkeys hand from soup pot before it turns to a man’s hand. Explanation: This proverb is the English version of nip it in the bud.

  • Ruptured Emotion by Deborah Nnagbo

    The cry was deep and internal. The smile was blue and unreal. The little jitters of unrest made marmot parade on her chocolate face. She has a curse to carry through the streets of life. A lump in her sore throat. A choking smell of betrayal, swimming in and out her tiny nostrils. Did you…

  • Humble Home by ‘Jindu Iroegbu

    I came home to see my little brother’s drawing. He tries his hands on drawing and painting, and the least I can do is to encourage him. His work is littered all around the house, mostly in the living room. As you can see he had included his name in this drawing. 😀 This is…

  • Diary of a Village Boy: The Leopard Spirit (Dibia Ndem)

    When Dibia Ndem left our home that evening, I wanted to follow him outside my father’s compound. I wanted answers; I needed to ask how he knew it was my leopard that destroyed the boar that almost wrecked my Uncle’s farm. Yesterday’s nightmare was the worst I ever had. I dreamt of a long fight…

  • Wild Colors

    Sweet and wonderful are smell of dry air in the breezy and solitary open LIke that of bread soaked in margarine, quasi burned in the oven The taste is remindful of romantic acquaintances hewn to fields of Roses Stretched afar, to where the lands open to other lands of colors and scents The fineness of…

  • Sunset in Ovim

    Yesterday I trekked to the market square. During my lonely trek I met old friends and distant relatives. As noted before, in Africa we place much value on family and friends. My trek was short, because the market was just around the corner. I bought two pieces of dried meat from a vendor, one for…

  • A poem for Ovim, Isuikwuato

    Morning wakes with the sun Windy clouds, happy yawns Quiet town, down the hill Misty paths, birds sing With the forest’s inhabitantsTall palm trees stand guard From their branches, birds tweet Squirrels look down in fright or excitement Dropping oily snacks on trespassers Forest pathways are hijacked by monkeys Protesting when a group of boys…

  • Shameless Love by Okoroji Chidiebere Alexander

    They say I love you, Yeah I do, I’m shameless about it, I’m weak to confront you, Your very appetites, As I find no alternative. I’m shamelessly in love, The disease is not new, Probably there’s a dew, We only had but a few, I’m the Judas in the twelve. Some probably won’t get it,…

  • African Proverbs 8

    What do you make of this Ovambo saying? A Parasite can not live alone.

  • Weirdest Snacks in Africa

    Here are some of the weirdest snacks you can find in Africa. Palm Grubs: Yuck, I know right? Some of the grubs can grow big enough to fit in one mouthful. The grubs are found in dead and decaying palm and raffia trees. Some people eat the grubs alive but to be on a safer…

  • Anunebe: The Masquerade as reported by Okoroji Chidiebere Alexander

    The moment is almost here as people in the village are all dressed to watch the great Anunebe perform in the village square, one occasion that is performed once in a year, and this makes the event one of the greatest anticipated events in Ibeme, Isiala-Mbano, a small village in Imo State, Eastern part of…

  • Shepherd’s poem

    From bed of wool, sound of settling sheep bemused him Far up the night sky, stars want and rain was on her way These three things blessed the Shepherd’s thoughts and rest

  • Jehovah: My Beautiful Dream

    I remember days when I was lost and hopeless Was all alone, I was helpless I didn’t care about it so much For all I had was a dream And it was beautiful… I realised You were standing there Even when I thought no one was around Now I understand You came as a Dream,…

  • Initiated Relationship by Okoroji Chidiebere Alexander

    I was drunk last night, Thinking about your very words, How this our love is an initiation, And not a relationship, What I call, inspired spirituality. You accosted the actions, While prolonging your decisions, You never truly loved me, Will it be best I say; You rather used me, I have heard men are scum,…

  • Muse: Homecoming

    Nada o! O nada o! Nada o! I’m back o! Kuje kusanar, go and tell them! Bring my jug, bring me kola, bring a mat, For justice will be done to Mama’s soup pot I must lay under the mango tree tonight To watch the stars glitter and hear the crickets sing Ah… I’m glad!…

  • Haiku: Tides

    Sunshine, blue skies and approaching tide Brown crabs crawl away, walking sideways Amused egrets follow, escorting their trail

  • Haiku of the Morning

    See these sparkle of gold Brew bubbles across the clouds, While they sail away to other lands

  • African Proverbs 7

    The bush in which one hides has eyes – Gusii Proverb. Explanation: There’s actually no hiding place for anyone.

  • Don’t Cry

    Now listen dear child, listen attentively To the forested hills, for they are your ancient brothers To the birds, they carry gossip and might have answers Watch the sunrise and sunset from tree branches Search the valleys too, let your eyes behold our land Feel the flowers with your finger tips Smell the caking dust…

  • Rainfall, Drummer of the Year!

    Nothing compares to the feeling you bring, With queer beats, you spice up Summer, Singing as in songfests with the Thunder!

  • Three Poems: The Waterfalls, Peace and Your Love

    The Waterfalls: I tell the trees of your sounds and they are jealous When you fall, birds and the wild stop to listen, To hear Nature sing while she wash her garment in your mist Peace: Bird songs, butterflies, sun rays and peace, All are fruits from the green forest, Nature’s providence to mankind Your…

  • Muse: Swift Stream

    The blue stream flow swift Three patient toads sit aghast Waiting for the current to pass

  • The Baobab

    This is for you humble castle, beautiful succour and living citadel, You whose roots are soft seats; you who shelter ants, mushrooms and birds, Your leaves are shield from rain, you are a friend to all that may come *** As we read through, let’s remember to play our role in protecting Earth’s vegetation and…

  • Haiku: Smiles

    Smiles are colorful dresses, Bright are the clouds that sail by, Brighter are lips that wear loving smiles *** Image by Botlhale Nyandeni

  • African Proverbs 6

    Every Dog is a Lion in his own gate. -Ghanaian Proverb Explanation: This metaphorical statement translates to every man is King in his own house.

  • Haiku: Sunset

    Grey shades fall on the land, fast travels the sun through the clouds Songs of slumber, dog barks, the airy evening’s last memories, Time to wake all night creatures, crawling or walking

  • African Proverbs 5

    He who shows himself at every place will someday look for a place to hide. Explanation: Anyone who is always available to everyone will find it hard to keep a private life.

  • Kedike by Chidimma

    This is a nice song with (Igbo) African beats. Learn Igbo language and culture here.

  • Haiku: Smile Beautiful Flower

    Smile beautiful flowerLet your tissues and petalsBring warmth to all that see

  • African Proverbs 4

    Here’s an Igbo proverb made popular by Chinua Achebe: When Elephants fight the grass suffers. There’s a Swahili version of it: When two Elephants fight the grass gets hurt. Explanation: For instance, when a child’s parents fight or separate, the child suffers most. Also when there’s war or strife in a country the poor masses…

  • My Muse

    I love your dimples, joyful grace on your smiles It stole my stare each time I looked at your face, Night falls herald day’s end and our retirement But for the Sun’s slumber we gladly wait Evening is timid, passing through the horizon, The setting sun took her gold from morning There’s a fire made…