Okechukwu’s Musings: Poetry, People and Places

Author: Oke Iroegbu

  • Congo

    Congo, my dear CongoThe land of many warriors Land of happy womenWho dance and turnTo the beats of drumsAnd to glaring menThe land of goldAnd lush green fieldsOf shrooms, dandelions,And blue horizons boldThe land of many rivers,And great, many lovers,land of the gazelle, leopard,And all graceful dancers The evening is sadSounds of canonRent the air,Bloodthirst,Soldiers,Crying…

  • Sudoku

    What’s your favorite game (card, board, video, etc.)? Why? My favorite board game is Sudoku. I love the challenge of figuring out where the numbers belong. As a former math instructor, I find Sudoku fascinating. It keeps my mind sharpened. The game also makes me more analytical, and conscious, thereby improving my patience, attention to…

  • Writing

    Which activities make you lose track of time? Writing is a useful ancient craftThat aroused my passion and museBy teaching me more about myselfIt had reminded me of my cleverness

  • Quote: Breaking Barriers

    We never know the places we go to. We become the first pioneers when we go, opening doors for people like us and breaking down historical and cultural barriers—Oke Iroegbu

  • Reflection: Love and You Are My Star

    Love One thing that the humankind needs to learn more often is how to love. Love can come in different forms. Respect is a form of love. Kindness, openness, happiness for others, and more. It’s a shame that a lot still divides the world. Tonight I chose to write a very short love poem—and for…

  • Quote: Hope

    What are you most excited about for the future? While we breathe, we will hope — Barack Obama

  • Overthinking

    What could you let go of, for the sake of harmony? Sometimes, I have to get out of my head and listen to my heart. That’s the biggest challenge. I’m working on it.

  • Folklore and Cultural Studies

    On what subject(s) are you an authority? One subject that I admire and love so much is Folklore or Cultural Studies. Growing up in a culture that prides itself on storytelling, I paid keen attention to how stories shape who people become. I just completed a graduate program in Folklore at a prestigious university in…

  • Inspiration

    What makes a teacher great? A teacher’s most significant job is to inspire their students—to make them believe in themselves. The teacher holds and plays an essential role in the society. I am fortunate to have instructors and teachers who believed in me even when I didn’t believe in myself. Nothing compares to someone who…

  • Reflection: The Moon and Sun

    I watched the beauty of this morning’s moonshine, clutching my sweater. It’s strange because we associate the morning with the sun and the night with the moon. I stood before my tent to fill my lungs with the purest air and see the sunrise. This quiet time was disturbed by passing aircraft gliding up the…

  • Sunrise

    Sunrise here happens in installments, first, it gets to the hills, then the valleys, and everything else Behold the happy sunriseFrom chasms unknownTo the bluish clouds, pureTo heave the gold blanketOver the hills and vales,Over the highs and lows,A moment—solemn, unspoiled

  • Blue Oak Reserve, California

    Welcome to Blue Oak Nature Reserve Blue Oak Reserve, over 3000 acres of beautiful partly wooded wilderness, sprawls across vast pockets of break-taking landscape decorated by canyons, trees, and grassland. There are a lot of open fields with forests dotting specific points. Oak trees are in abundance, and so are other native species. I like…

  • Moonlight

    Purely handsomeImmaculate phantomCircle, one of gentlenessOffering the galaxy,To all, and sundryLight and calmness,And breezy evening tideFor all, and sundry

  • Rabbits under the cabin

    I trust you’ve heard of Snakes on Planes and Puss in Boots, but never of rabbits under the cabin, and maybe that’s not a thing yet. Well, there’s always a first time for everything.

  • Lake Poem

    The calm lake lies quietSome of its parts greenOr reflects bluish huesIn them, bullfrogs hideFrom murky watersThey commandeer all,With deep, loud bassThe lake may be quietGrumpy bullfrogs aren’t

  • Mountains in Stories

    There are stories about mountains, and there are mountains in stories. It makes perfect sense that places play a crucial role in narratives.

  • Books that impacted on me

    List three books that have had an impact on you. Why? This post will be challenging because there are captivating books out there. I have read some books recently, but three stood out. One pioneer book that addressed the ills of colonialism in Africa was Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe. The book describes in…

  • Oak Wilderness

    Pockets of green, here and thereSpread across a vast wildernessBlue skies, roaming deer, and harePretty birds in a reptile paradise The night will convey dark cloudsStreams flow into a wonder lakeWith the sound of life piping loudAll for this gentle oak land’s sake

  • Loyalty

    What quality do you value most in a friend? We have to recognize that there cannot be relationships unless there is commitment, unless there is loyalty, unless there is love, patience, persistence — Cornel West

  • Poetry

    What are you good at? I believe poetry is one thing I can do even with my eyes closed in sleep. By the way, I love sleeping as well. Good night.

  • Africa Day 2024

    Today, we celebrate Africa! I created a short video from Lebo’s presentation of my favorite song.

  • Podcast: Oke’s Folklore Corner

    Yo friends! I hope everyone is doing great. I just started my folklore podcast channel. The intention is to discuss cultural forms such as proverbs, folktales, songs, and folklore. I would love your thoughts on the intro. Click here to listen. Thank you, and stay tuned for more. Warmly.

  • Nevadan Snowman

    I stood admiring the shores of the blue and beautiful Lake Tahoe on the Nevadan side. Around the corner was a snow park where mountains stood still carved out of the skies. The noon warmth kept the windy air in check. Hot rays from the sun cut deep through my sunglasses but I sit busy—working…

  • Quote on Hardwork

    Do you have a quote you live your life by or think of often? Just remember you can’t climb the ladder of success with your hands in your pocket — Arnold Schwarzenegger

  • Sunset and Misery

    Until When? It’s crazy times we live in. We just came out of COVID-19 to witness the world fall apart. I hope we survive the peace when it all ends and that we dare to look into people’s faces and say we tried our best to live in peace. We must learn to talk with…

  • Poem: Don’t Cry

    Don’t cry when the last coal burn outAnd the little flickering fire tries to stayDon’t cry around the noise of silenceEven when it’s so loud and deafeningDon’t cry when there’s a moonless nightWhen the cold hands of twilight threatenDon’t cry, my friend, when it seems it’s overLet it be; the sun will rise, so will…

  • Sunset at Moss Landing

    Sunset reminds me of the importance of resting, and ocean waves, with their harmony and sudden moments of silence, symbolize taking breaks. The powerful tides crash against the rock boulders, and the wind is busy throwing tantrums at the setting sun. My friends, always remember to take breaks and make time for rest.

  • Muse: Moonlight 2

    You beautiful sphere of light I behold your face once again Fast falls the evening tide And you remind me of home That to everything that has a beginning There must someday come an ending That home calls from a long-distance That I can only wait and listen to its call I see you, mythical…

  • Eclipse Day

    It’s amazing how we can’t see it directly but need special equipment to do so. Do you now agree that many things happen we are unaware of? Happy Eclipse Day.

  • Meditation

    What are your morning rituals? What does the first hour of your day look like? My morning routine mainly involves reflecting on past events, doing a small amount of pushups (though not always consistently), and practicing gratitude for everything. During the first hours, I usually read uplifting books—whether motivational or spiritual—to start the day.

  • Ego

    Relationships often end due to someone’s ego. Similarly, leaders’ egos have caused countries to go to war, making innocent people suffer and die needlessly. Sadly, many soldiers who are loved ones—such as husbands, wives, sons, and daughters—lose their lives in these wars. All this happens because people refuse to appear weak and find it hard…

  • Learning To Say No

    How often do you say “no” to things that would interfere with your goals? Saying no to someone or something can be a tricky thing, especially when you are considerate of other’s feelings. However, learning to say no is necessary to keep a person from behaviors and lifestyles that can be harmful in the long…

  • Breaking Barriers

    You’re writing your autobiography. What’s your opening sentence? This is a true story—of hope and resilience, of dreams, aspirations, and experiences put together. My story aims to restore hope and encouragement in humanity and to emphasize the importance of selflessness and service to others.

  • Writing

    What experiences in life helped you grow the most? One thing that has helped me grow is creative and imaginative writing. I always enjoy expressing my thoughts on paper. One thing led to the other and I started this blog to share my poetry with the world. But it metamorphosed into something bigger. I have…

  • Destiny

    Do you believe in fate/destiny? Destiny is like day and nightWe get closer to itBut don’t see what’s nextSometimes there’s heavy mistOther times, there is sunlight

  • Be Yourself

    What advice would you give to your teenage self? Be wild and fearless, but be kind and genuine, be hopeful and honest, and be loving and compassionate. Do things that bring you joy, peace, and laughter. Work hard, also work smart. Make acquaintances, keep friends. Care for your well-being and that of your loved ones.…

  • Poetry: Moon

    Dear Moon—You beautiful ball of white light. I saw your smiling face this evening, and it reminded me of home. You stood—a shiny ball imposed on the fleeting night clouds. I see you as a myth, a floating phantom without legs. You swept—the streets and roads clean with your pretty light. Incredible, natural, unspoiled, immaculate,…

  • Kind People

    Who are your favorite people to be around? Kind people are my kind of people.

  • Quote: Love

    Travel—travel light, love—love unconditionally – Oke Iroegbu Happy Valentine’s Day.

  • Quote: Your People

    People who are your people are not just those who share the same values, experiences or color but people who want to see you succeed and become a greater version of yourself — Oke Iroegbu

  • Relationships

    Something on your “to-do list” that never gets done. I learned that there’s no perfect time to start a romantic relationship but I haven’t made effort to begin with. However, it’s a priority to me now.

  • Egusi Soup

    What’s your favorite thing to cook? Spicy, warm soups are delightful for me. Food is culture. Food is life, and I can go on dropping poetic lines about food. As a traditional person, I am a foodie who appreciates good food! I love traditional Igbo dishes like egusi, ede, ogbono, uha, and onugbu. Growing up,…

  • Fun Things

    List five things you do for fun. I like journaling, reading, watching NatGeoWild and Discovery, playing online games like UNO and traveling.

  • My First Name

    Write about your first name: its meaning, significance, etymology, etc. My first name is Okechukwu, which comes from the southern Nigerian Igbo tribe. It means my portion or share from God! Most Igbo names come from situations and experiences people have encountered. I can expand the name to: Okechukwunyerem!—which means the share I received from…

  • Dream Jobs

    What’s your dream job? I would love to be a writer and, indeed, working towards that. My writing started back in high school. Then, I liked playing with words and wrote poems of love. I’m also interested in becoming a travel blogger. It is a dream to travel around the world, particularly in Africa to…

  • A Good Leader

    What makes a good leader? What makes a good leader is their ability to have empathy and humility. By being humble, they put themselves last but not down. By having empathy, they put themselves in the shoes of others!

  • Weapons

    If you could un-invent something, what would it be? You will agree that weapons have caused more havoc on humankind and the environment. Sadly, even modern ones are being developed by man to destroy fellow man and nature.

  • Respect

    Can you share a positive example of where you’ve felt loved? A listening ear is as good as a gift, but better—Oke Iroegbu One thing I have learned about love is that it goes hand in hand with respect and trust. To love means to put the happiness of others above ours, and it goes…

  • Lions

    What is your favorite animal? King of the African jungleWith a golden mane, beautifulGuileful, bones, and sinewsRoar from depths of your soulLet terrifying echoes ring through the hills

  • Social Media

    In what ways do you communicate online? Social media made writing and sharing written work easy As a writer in a social media era, I use many apps. Most times, it’s just posting on one app that is connected to many others. For instance, my Jetpack app is connected to X, LinkedIn, Tumblr, and Facebook,…