Oke’s Musings: Poetry, People and Places

Author: Oke Iroegbu

  • The Lion King, with short video

    When you hear of Africa, what comes to your mind? Forests and Kingdoms, Lions and Elephants, Happy and sad people? I decided to share a live performance of the song ‘He lives in me’ from the movie Lion King, to show the artistry, talent and creativity that exists in Africa. Africans in the music and…

  • God as Poetry Editor By David Thane Cornell

    He dips His pen in the black hole of night To recover an image and give it more light Sometimes He uses a digital pad Revising the first idea He had Editing in and out of time Honing the meter and smoothing the rhyme He deftly spells and abbreviates Cities, town, mountains and lakes The…

  • Commonwealth Short Story Prize 2020

    Are you a writer or do you know someone who is? This is an amazing opportunity to submit your work to the Commonwealth Short Story Prize. The Commonwealth Short Story prize is awarded for the best piece of unpublished short fiction (2,000–5,000 words) in English. Regional winners receive £2,500 and the overall winner receives £5,000.…

  • African myths

    Do you know that in Africa there are many ridiculous myths and beliefs? This is not Voodoo or any kind of mystery. Myths do exist. Most times, they are used to scare children, to refrain children and young adults from being rude, behaving wildly or disobeying their parents or elders. So let’s define a myth…

  • Fly High September

    I really thought for awhile before coming up with this. I did this sketch in September 2016. I’m not the best, when it comes to drawing. I just stumbled on it and decided to share it. Welcome to another rainy month, if you ever had encounters with mosquitoes then you can relate. It rained yesterday,…

  • Why you should visit Africa

    If you are in rural Africa, you will be very lucky to witness events you may never see anywhere else in the world when the sun sets! The sunrise brings joy. Dew, heaven’s water, gathers on rooftops, tree leaves, and grasses. The sun may stay for a while, but it can rise as early as…

  • Everybody has got a past

    Everybody has got a past It may be a dark one, Or one so bright That it shines even in sun down Everybody has got a past But we needn’t remember, Unless the bad went to worst Or if the goodness got better

  • Thoughts on Loneliness 4

     It is hard for introverts to explain situations, especially those naturally taciturn. They have the loudest minds, act little, and prefer to be left alone. I know a friend back in school who talks very little. It seemed he counted his words, and one day, a classmate lied against him. He was punished for…

  • Thoughts: Friends or Foes?

    In the world of folklore, it is believed that rodents inside the house inform rodents outside where the fish basket is hidden. This idea also applies in real life. Only those who know you well or are close to you can potentially harm you with the information they possess. Sometimes we feel betrayed and get…

  • Reintroducing the Legend of Wawadomea

    1 Now I write you a piece of my heart, tonight In the growing Harmattan and her temperament I am cut in two- halved in your Providence One for your happiness, another for Your happiness 2 This piece of heart tells a tale of the sea folk a story of survival, a war of loneliness…

  • Chevening Awards 2020

    Chevening scholarships enable outstanding emerging leaders from all over the world to pursue one-year master’s degrees in the UK. Whilst there is no ‘typical’ Chevening Scholar, they are looking for the kind of people who have the passion, ideas, and influence to provide the solutions and leadership needed to create a better future. Since 1983,…

  • Thoughts: Look Within

    The pangs of unemployment scar Africa. Things shift from bad to worse. Essentials like good education, healthcare, clean water, and equal opportunity seem to slip out of our grasp. These things may have fallen apart. What is the remedy to reverse this trend? While African universities produce more graduates, the economy cannot absorb them all…

  • Amuse: Little flower

    Dear Little Flower sitting, On the wooden plate I can’t help but wonder Why you glow, so red, Will it be, the squirrel Asked you out And now, you’re red with blush?

  • Thoughts on Africa 3: Education

    Research is a careful inquiry or examination to seek or revise facts, principles, theories, applications, etc.; a persistent search for truth. Interestingly, the definition ends with the search for truth. Besides broadening human thinking, research aims to discover the reasons and reasons not. The study offers solid recommendations and suggestions that can help solve problems.…

  • You and I…

    You and I… Is my idea of a team Together, against odds, In ups and downs, Greatness and littleness, Plenty and scarcity You and I… Is my idea of love Our wish, against all odds, My help and friend My muse and madness One whose joy makes me happy

  • WordPress.com August promo

    The last time I spoke with a friend, I told him the Internet is the greatest marketer of all times. This is the glaring truth. Most businesses seeking global clients can get this online. No flights, no traveling, no stress! The major way to start off, is to create a website and then social media…

  • Thoughts: Keep your circle small

    He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed. Proverbs 13:20 Your company can support or hinder you. The people you surround yourself with can either ruin your dreams or help you fulfill them. Think about the story of Joseph and his brothers. The brothers planned to…

  • Four Nature Poems with Deborah Nnagbo, Shawny Johnson and Franklin Onuoha

    Ogbunike Cave by Deborah Nnagbo There it lies with an open mouth, Basking in the unadulterated air of tradition. Bidding me to come in unto her, Inside the sacred forest guarding the glory of a race. Slowly, I tiptoed into natures edifice. With eyes clothed with wonder. I could not but see the finger of…

  • African tales by Moonlight

    Living in the countyside was fun. I can’t forget the numerous activities/events I participated in. I remember the rodent hunting, farm work, fruit catching, swimming in the streams, wrestling fights and the night tales. My favorite was the night tales which was something else. How I love to sit in the warmth of other kids,…

  • The Wrong Way

    I sit by the cliff edge To watch the lights go out And one by one they went Nothing made sense As we live in disguise, Resting, Relaxing, Recessing, Recouping? From all our disastrous efforts But are we prisoners of earth? Do we have to let everything be? If I write alone, no one will…

  • Thoughts on Love

    Love is an intense feeling of affection and cares towards another person. The English dictionary defines it as a deep or abiding liking for something—a profound and caring attraction towards someone. Note the appearance of care and affection in all the definitions. Let’s read from the Bible to get a clearer picture of what love…

  • Tradition: Iri Ji Festival

    Let us pray (ka anyi kpe ekpere)Nna anyi, we gather againTo celebrate the New Yam!The King of all cropsWhich you blessed us withThe crop whose soft tendrils crawl,Through our fine, fertile soilAnd carries with it abundance,Greatness, joy, peace and love!We celebrate the forests You tillOn our behalf,The greenery with shrubs and treesWith every fruit that…

  • Thoughts on Africa 2: Education

    The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character – that is the real goal of education. – Martin Luther King, Jr Education is vital for individual, community, and national growth. It is a key tool that can drive social, economic, and political transformation across Africa.…

  • Thoughts on Happiness 2

    Happiness is contagious. Happiness is like a light bulb in a dark room. It does not shine in a corner but lights the whole room. Note that happiness is not a function of material fulfilment. Peace, joy, cheerfulness, contentment, happiness and gratitude are classed as a family. This family work as a team. If you…

  • Muse: The African Bride

    ‘I will never leave you! I will deh with you…’ He said, Tears rolled, freely She wept As her face went red It was clear he meant it, His words cut her open She must believe So he went away To fight in the World War When he returned to Africa, It was, with a…

  • A poem of Happiness

    Grin Gift your hair your hands This is a great feeling… Life!

  • New Media Writing: Open for 2019 entries!

    The NMWP has attracted entries from the very best and most innovative writers in the field, from all around the world. For the 2019 competition there will be four prizes: The if:book UK New Media Writing Award, the Unicorn Student Award, the Dot Award, and the Digital Journalism Award. To read more and submit your…

  • Thoughts on Happiness

    Happiness is a state of the mind. Joy, cheerfulness and a state of prosperity. When you are happy it affects activities (the environment) around you. It shakes away negativity and gloom. Happiness is when you don’t worry much on materiality. Contentment is related to happiness. When you are content with what you have then you…

  • Tell the Stars

    Tell the stars To dress the skies For there’s a banquet coming, And everything must be in order, Every dark cloud must be lighted So let there be light

  • Thoughts on Depression

    The English dictionary defined depression as a state of mind producing serious, long-term lowering of enjoyment of life or inability to visualize a happy future. Many people experience this on a daily basis. Depression sucks out the joy and life from an individual even when the person is still living. Honestly, I think being sad…

  • Anyanwu Ututu m (My Morning sun)

    Anyanwu ututu m My gift and joy from God Onyem ji eme onu You glow like the red chilli And you are sweet, Sweeter than the palm wine, Ah nwanyioma m! When the village drums beat You dance with ecstacy Laughing when you move Sometimes, words fail me I can only ponder on God’s creativity…

  • The song of a Shepherd

    Tut, tsi, tsii, tuut, tsii Will you think I was talking to myself? Haha, not in any way! I call to my sheep that way So we bond, we use a special code And when they spread over the grassland I sit to play my guitar- singing Hallelujah Quivering fingers, dry in the noon sun,…

  • Thoughts: Africa

    Don’t be overwhelmed by what you see. Stay calm in the raging storm Life has not been fair to many people. Sometimes, it is easy to imagine from a safe part of the world how people survive in war-torn, disaster- or disease-stricken areas of Africa. We wake up to different news each morning. Economic reports…

  • August Night Poems

    THE NIGHT The night is full of fresh air One which come with the wind Talking of the Wind, she is irresistable Sweetly, comely to the flesh of men And a quick aid to the lullaby’s effort RAIN It seem it will pour heavily, sometime later For the Lightning had come to snap pictures Of…

  • Tiv Princess

    1 Princess The sun rise of the Tiv! From the Crowns crest You wore a lace, weaved Of many, herbs, jute, wool 2 In the midst of all You stand dazzling in the sun rise Hovering over others like the Iroko, tall, Beautiful, with such grace and height Leaving men wanting of desires *** Commentary:…

  • Three songs of the Night: The Shepherd’s Tale, a Star and Stinginess

    1 The Shepherd’s Tale: Fast, from afar The sun set Golden streaks touch the skies, So the sheep bleat with joy Full bellies rumbling with forage, In anticipation – For the night came slowly With her was the sweet breeze And all left to worry about Was a good night rest 2 A Star: There’s…

  • Thoughts on Loneliness 3

    Today I was in school (where I work) and really enjoyed the time I spent with my favorite students and friends. I had a lot of hugs especially from Helen, a primary school kid who took fancy of me. I teach the secondary section but my friends mostly are those little kids at the kindergaten…

  • Thoughts on Loneliness 2

    Introverts do see themselves as threatened species. What I mean is that they feel overwhelmed in the crowd and most times misbehave in such environment. I, for instance can relate to this. I feel so consumed and inadequate when I’m in a place full of people. I won’t say this has to do with less…

  • Titan

    I’m a Titan! For I dance under the greying skies, Strip the trees bare of green leaves And watch it slowly die with my pitchforks I’m a Titan I tease the streams and oceans So when they wash up dying lives on the dust I pity and sigh with discontentment I’m a Titan I dig…

  • When love is wicked

    Your love became wicked When I watched you walk, When you wished me away

  • Your smile

    Your smile is an elixir To my soul, When you smile at me I take in more joy and life

  • The Flock

    Fonuoha: I dreamt of a flock How I’d watch them graze But I’m always out of luck Like a mirage my dreams erase Oiroegbu: For some of the flock are mirages And their mirages, people in my life Those who cast their nets before my bridges And dream to reap where they sowed strife Fonuoha:…

  • Dear Rendezvous

    Dear Rendezvous, Tell the green trees, I am coming back, That the stars won’t fall from the darkening clouds That the nights will be as airy and sweet as ever And that our love meeting will remain beneath her shade

  • Love Song

    Still recalling our love story How smiles turned to warm hugs And how our hearts beat loudly To the rhythm of the quiet night

  • Colors, the First part

    Colors are very beautiful They tell a lot about all; And a little about this and that The ocean, the sun The mice that live across The busy street roads Or the golden corn field And the wild, the deserts And the ice of Antarctica Colors describe our feelings Red with rage The royal purple……

  • Wealth of Summer

    “The flowers blossom in magnificent desires The tree leaves are greener, and the airs milder But are all these, the only wealth of the summer?”

  • Diligence

    I saw someone humbled,With diligence A little fella, hairy and wingedWorking away on his masterpiece

  • A Tale of The Wild Woods 3: Summer Returns

    And when the beautiful summer happened to come… Upon the glades and vales of the wildwoodsThe Mountain stood quietly by the forest sideSniffing the sweet smell come from fresh growing flower shrubsThe happy birds come flying back homeFollowed by all pretty insects and the boar herdThe skies are tinted with blue skirmishSometimes it seemed it…

  • Thoughts on Loneliness

    Being lonely is by no means a wrong or painful venture. It doesn’t suggest that someone is unwanted in the society or is running the isolationist policy. Infact, being lonely most times creates the atmosphere for self reflection, for self discovery and for quiet times. Some times we hear introverts say a lot about loving…

  • Obedience

    1 Obedience is a function of humility For through life’s ups and downs; In Wealth, great Fame or Beauty It speaks greater of a man than gold coins 2 Obedience is why Abraham was richly blessed, For he traveled away to a place where he knew not With trust in God as a guide, through…