Author: Oke Iroegbu

You have the bright eyes of a young deer
Tender, I wonder what you think
Each time your eyes happen upon me
This same pretty eyes that let tears fall
Innocent, lovely and specially gives hope
You pull my hair when I lift you up
Do you think they were your play tendrils?
Your hands hold everything, books, pen, phones
In a fine babyish smile, your mouth pouts
My little child you are awesome and pretty
And for all my life, I shall let those memories
Of the first smile you gave me live in my heart
God bless you my fine little child…

For my cute little niece, Rejoice Onyeabor. Very inquisitive and observant baby. Born to my elder brother and taking after him… I see my attachment for this baby, for all babies grow stronger. The future is in their hands, so parents; mummies and daddies, uncles and aunts, everybody, show some more love.

Greater love has no one than this, that
someone lay down his life for his friends…
John 15.13
WorldEnglishBible

Easter signifies love and care
The festivities rent the airs
And now we all love and share
For Christ came and died for man
Bringing mercies unknown to men
From Divine stores, made in Heaven
To blessed Earthly Providence
Soft airs and vegetable forests
To exotic wildlife and rivulets

Happy Easter celebrations everyone… Show some love and care. God bless you

Wander-man, Tiger-man moves; sipping from different fountains overflowing with milk of life and death

He hops;
From Jagua Nana to
Annan Wanger
Never satisfied with his own wife and life
Hannah
Who
Kisses empty sheets
Droops and sags in
Jeans
Eating Bullshit

Wander-man, Bat-man
Fly!
While Hannah cries
High five!
Wine!
While Hannah dies
You tell her lies to cover up your crimes

Why?

Away with it wander-heart!
Retire so your palm won’t catch fire.

Obiajulu Nwodo is a versifier and a short story writer. Some of her works has been published in different platforms. She has some unpublished works to her credit and she is a good friend of mine.

What is better than bringing two worlds together,
Bringing life and earth over a body of water?

What is better than true friendship
When it’s all about companionship?

What is better than the scent of the rain
When it brings the reign of droughts to end?

What is better than the smiles of loved ones
When in all, good or bad, gives special fun?

What is better than the love in your eyes
When it brings me to Divine speed and might?

The bridge serves the community
It shares in every dream we believe in;
Involving friends, and their aspirations
We are connected to a circle that never ends
Love nurtures this circle and sense of family
Built on unconditional care and concern for others
Alas, the rains must fall; must fall on us all
And it tells of how common we must be
To one another; male or female, white or black
And the need for a long lasting linking bridge
For all dreams, mankind dreams of sharing

Hail the sun rises from the East
From the back of the houses and hills
Up the skies, just above the green forests
On the faces of the glittering waters
And the rugged patches of the dusty earth

The sun rises upon all little hamlets
And on all busy streets of the towns,
On the faces glad to see another day
And on the farms which it paints gold
The land marvels at her power and strength
The trees besides the rushing river,
Swoosh happily to the airy romance
That has come with the sweet smell
Of a beautiful and brand new day

The sun rises with its warmth
The rooftops receive her’ heat
Pigeons call from their nests
The shimmer fall on the rivulets
And quiet ponds in the hamet,
A blessed and calm setting it paints
Across the hamlet and the forests
On the striding Lions and Elephants
And even on little lives as the busy ants

Hail the sun rises with all hopes
On the faces working on the rice farms
Upon the Ostriches that walk the Veldt
And the shiny waters of Niger River
And the gold city of Johannesburg
The sun rises, waking us all

Commentary
Good morning readers and poets. If you have been to Africa, then you can truly see what I see each morning I wake. Try a safari, watch the Lions, Cheetahs, Leopards, Rhinos, Hyenas, Antelopes, Wildebeest, Buffaloes, Eagles, Vultures, Civets, Boars, Hippos, Alligators, Elephants, Pythons, Co’diles etc feed and feel the wonders of mother Nature in a land of the sun. Africa is blessed with abundant sunshine.

“…Once we knew peace
And then a brother raised
His hand upon the other
The world was never the same again”

We wake to the sound
Of the buzzing bee
And the fine sight
Of green and clean fields
Loved ones smile and roll
On the sweet smelling turf
The airs blow freely
And all is sunny and happy
The clouds are blue
The birds sing for all
From the tall flowery trees

Now the streets go empty
The war machines are coming
Where will fall next?

Now we wake to the sound
Of heavy machines and bots
Trampling bulldozers and vans
And rockets waiting to explode
The fields are full of grease and oil
And even with patches of blood
Now loved ones cling to our hands
Tears for the dying world
Come to cloud peoples’ eyes
The last leaf fall from the tree
The world is no more free

What is the cost of peace
If we don’t understand the beauty
Of love and live, which we need?

Once I met a painter
A fine and petit young man
At the corner of the street he lived
Working away, minding his business
And living so solitary, that I wondered

“Hallo sir! What do you really paint?”
I must have sounded sheepish
For who won’t call a pen, a writer
When you know the pen writes?
“I paint ALL things! I paint you
I paint all you feel and care for”
He answered, hiding his resentment
Or yet, perhaps he didn’t get my jeer
I shuddered, strange it sounded
“My feelings and cares, hmm” I grunted
“But now I am carefree, how can you paint that?”
He looked at me, abandoned my talk
And turned the board he was working on
A magnificient picture stood before me
Some hues of blue, suggesting the skies
A tint of greens surrounding the lower board
And a yellow ball which I called the sun
Then on the middle, was a lonely Elephant
Raising his trunk high into the sky
More like, he was saluting someone up there
And I asked why he painted a lonely Elephant
“Shouldn’t he be having a family, sort of?”
He shrugged, smile and brought the image down
“He is lonely, only to his thoughts
He owes no one, he fears no one
He cares and loves himself, as he is” he replied
Perhaps the world had been crude to him I felt
Like he understood my mind, he smiled
“Now sit right there, Im gona paint you”
He said excitedly, pointing to a seat
His head will stuck out
Now and then to peer at me
I put up my best smile
Something inbetween a tear and innocency
He was’nt bothered at my look
My sister would have blurted out
“Ugh! Please change that face, Oke!”
Well, I tried to enjoy it, while it lasted
When the boredom tried to come upon me
He then was finally done; with a sigh
“Okay, and here we go; your portrait”
He carefully, turned the image to my view
I saw the image stare at me in confusion
Or was I the one confused; anyhow
Someone, somebody was truly muddled
Havent noticed my jaws were dropped
Till when I had need for talking
“Uhm, okay. I can’t explain the connection
Of I and, and eh… Him” I pointed at the image
“But deep down me, that guy, that painting
Feels like a part of me, feels like me!”
The painter laughed, enjoying my confusion
“Well, painting is like the revolving Earth
Each time you try to look at it,
Each gaze seem to be the very best
At certain point, at the age of the youth
Things, reasoning come to you different
But for your confusion and the Elephant
Do you now understand why I paint?”

“Come, come closer…
Keep your palms on mine
Look into my eyes
See how much you mean to me”

1
Come and feel my steel shine
Call me your gladiator
Your defender, your shield, your man
I am your shepherd

2
Have you seen my birds cackle?
Call me your farmer
I will press the Olives into your palms.
I shail help your dreams grow

3
Come and see my musings
I am your mouthpiece, your pencil
I will sing with my croaky voice
All night a lullaby will be, by the fireside

4
Come be by my side
I am your lover, and your my lover
We will make this companionship work
I am your friend, made just for you

The grey moon smiles always
And to know that he sleeps all day
Looks absurd, but that is his little way
He is not strange, not unkind and not gay
But his manners leaves us with nought to say

Have I told you how beautiful you look tonight
How your pretty curly hair fall before my sight?
You look like the fine immaculate white snow
Massaging the breadths of the grey mountain,
Just that now you stand not before a mirror
But before my very gaze, my very own!
Your mocking eyes twinkle like the jewels on your neck
And it’s good to know you have been there for my sake

The cold nights mean nothing to us
You are my own dearest nurse
Wonders drive my wild fancy
I’m hopeful and not crazy
When it rains, you blush
And when the fruits bloom
We run together to the bush
Minding the earthly worms

Now stars glitter above my eyes
As the cool and lonely wind sigh
Methinks you summon the airs,
And the wolves from their lairs
You send the moon on vacation
You are an enchantress,
For in you, I see Gods adoration
Now I say a farewell, my dearest

Once upon my little hamlet
When the mornings are quiet

And the villagers all move out

Some to the farms, some to the rivulets,

Even though it rained the previous night

I went to the garden in the morning

The clouds were bright and sunny

The wasps and bees were out hunting

I saw an adder with her hissy warning

Also at the gate, a weary figure kept standing

So the plan for some tomato stew failed

And in my heart of hearts I joyfully wailed

‘Heem, Hallo there!’ he must have noticed

My approaching presence towards the board

He tried to move slowly, but almost stumbled

‘Hello sire’ I greeted when I saw he was old

He looked up, wearily his mouth smiled

He had grey hair upon his bard head

He wore a pretty fanciful black sun shades

So the smile in the glass made him look wild

‘Can I help you sire?’

‘Oh no no, your fine gardens I admire

In an innocent relieve I sighed

Trying to recall when last I admired

My own fine veggies, again I sighed

‘Do you mind if I came to have a look?’

‘No, I mean yes’ I remembered the snake

‘Well, I have got some seeds of Artichokes’

I looked into his face, it wasn’t a mock

Why must this adder spoil this, for goodness sake?

‘Uhm, sir would you like a cup of tea?

I wouldn’t mind if you spent sometime with me’

The culture around here, adores hospitality

I knew he needed some warmth and cosy

So after a little while, he followed me

Once inside my quiet and fine sitting room

My little citadel, pen fortress and home

Where all my wildest fantacies are tamed

Everywhere; Pen, paper and poems

And I believed he must have thought me lame

Well, I offered the tea as I promised

And left him, knowing he is relaxed

I made sure all the windows were opened

‘Ehen, ehen, ehen’ he sneezed

I turn to see him clean his and nod

‘Come, let me tell you the secrets of the garden

Trying to draw my attention

‘Make your heart a beautiful and green garden

Full of flowers, shrubs; sweet smelling and fine’

He laughed at my confusion and lay again

” The Lord made the Heavens and Earth
And all the creatures that walk on it
He sends the airs and her comfort
To my weary self, each dark night ”

The hills above the ground
The grasses grow upon it
The Eagles whine up the sky
And the blues paint the clouds
Where the greens and blues meet
There is a fine tint, very mild

You made the butterflies colorful
And the squirrels to sit upon the trees
The Porcupines with fine spines
You made all men beautiful
Waters rush in haste upon the streams
And the winds in relieve, sigh

The whiteness of waterfalls fall solemnly
Voices in the caves reply to my song in echos
And the bats hover about in confusion
The world, fauna and flora, and all ethos
All migratory birds fly happily in echelon

The streams flow…
Waters in haste
To other lands
Quenching the thirsts
Of the clay, fauns, flora and man

I love all You have made
I am in love with You, Jehovah

(1.)
Hail the sun rises!
Down from the hidden hills
And up to the white clouds
The rains has come upon us
And Mother Natures romance has begun

(2.)
I am a rainmaker
For the days are stuffy and hot
And to the cold rains we must go
I am a painter
For each morning my mind is awoken
To the wonderful hues before me
I am a farmer
For my passion for the Wild
Can’t be imagined or measured
I am a singer
For I sing songs in my heart
And when the Wind sings, I with her
I am a tale teller
For these stories are mild
And in the night, a lullaby it is
I am a poet
For each day turn to nights
And I realise that the pen has got a might
I am a lover
For nothing else spoils the world
But uncontrolled love…
I am Okechukwu Iroegbu
A common man of many deeds
But to Jehovah I owe it all

(3.)
The sun sets before my eyes,
Night throws her veil on earth
The breezes travel south
And on their pathways
They play lyrics of sooth
And within, without
I see how lucky I am
To have your unfailing love

Who understands the Lords doings?
Who can decipher all He can do?

Man made money
God made bees that made honey

Man made electricity
But Jehovah gave the light of the day

Man made fans
God made the winds and the storm

Man made the torchlight
Jehovah made the moon for the night

Man solve algebra
Who understands the working of the orbit?

Who can decipher what the Lord can do?

Imaginations…

…Soars the skies
With the fine Eagles

…Paints the winds
Red and sky blue

…Watches the rising sun
As she wakes fron the East

…Tastes the grapes
Along the green orchard

…Dream a dream
And believes in that dream

…Rides the Wildebeest
Across the Savannah

…Fly kites
Which turn out to be air planes

…It is in you and me
And it can make us the best we can be

Imagination…
Is the discovery of oneself,
Of the true meaning of existence
Imagination, rules the world

“I hear the wind come behind me
As I sit, backing my open windows
I hear the wind summon the rains
And this time, night has fallen upon all”

The wind tickles my true fancy
It plays flutes like the Arabians
Who try to wake a sleeping adder
The nights grow quiet,
I feel the wind surge in
To arrest my tiredness
My candles light dance, excited
Bouncing to the rhythm of the wind
In this mix I am part of,
A cricket calls from somewhere
Seemingly stirring the direction
Of the wooey wind toward herself

How lovely, it is to write
To tell tales of how you feel,
To interact with mother Nature
And at the very end
I must be fast, lest I miss this bed

“I stand under the guava tree
And dance my funny dance
With one leg I hop like a mantis…”

It is a beautiful morning, mother
And today is a special one for you
I remember the waters and lather
When you washed me as a child

The nights are always cold
Even now I outgrown my babyness
I wake to see myself covered
In a warm and fine blanket

The salty baby tears of mine
Form part of your diet
I struggle with you when you dine
But you are patient and loving

Nothing compares to your love
I am a man, come to see
What you have been all this while
And today I have many kisses for you

I love you momi
And I love you again,
Always…

Happy Mothers Day to all beautiful, sweet, caring, loving and Godly mothers. I love you all

I wonder if it was a crime to love
Or yet a sin to even try at all;
But then memories sift into time
Amazed to the worlds littleness,
The world seeks after lust
A shrug I must to this vanity
To love oneself is true happiness
But as the nights turn to days
And the days into past memories
It comes to me that love ain’t for everybody
I will continue to try to love others, genuinely
As God has loved me…

I feel absolutely nothing right now…

1.
The mists still settle upon the hamlet
The hills, the vales and the green forests
All is treacherously hidden in it
One must tread very carefully, lest
You step on a stray scorpion or serpent
Or fall into a ditch or a fast flowing rivulet
The morning took the place of the night
And there, goes the beautiful African mist

2.
And when the African warriors chant
Singing the songs which frights the Wilds
I run up, to the hills to take a view
Hoping to catch a glimpse of the company
Up the solemn blue skies, the Hawks circle
Boys beat the bush with huge sticks
And men walk around with pepper stoves*
The women and girls stay behind,
Pounding, grinding, cooking and brewing

3.
As my eyes wake, I see the light
And now it rains again after the night
I stay humbly quiet
Listening to this blessedness
A roof pettering; so mild, so soft
Drums played by unseen hands
Up and down; the tempo went
With much silent innocence
For my young wings are not hurt…
I lay to observe this sweetness

Note:
Pepper Stoves: A collection of dried grass with pepperic condiments stucked into a metallic structure constructed to have small holes that can enable the passage of smoke; meant to be used as a trap for the rodents of the wild. When a rabbit hole is sighted these stoves are shoved into it, and lighted. The smoke is strong and can choke the inmates of the hole, forcing them out…

“Oh goodness it rains!
The windows clap about
And the curtains dance
To the wooing songs
Of the sweet airy Night”

And I can feel the rain drops through the window
And the smell of the new rain upon the dusty roof
The curtains blow up and down my weary face
All is cold, all is warm, all is truly entertaining
Oh, lullaby; mother Natures’ drum keep playing…

What sweet sleep the shepherd observes
For the Days toil has come and gone
And I upon my bed listens to a song
Which no voice or choir can ever sing

But to my bed sitted by the window
I lay bare-chested tossing about
From one end of this cold bed
To the other side by the window
On this beautiful rainy night
One of blessed airs and wild winds
Tuning in high pitches, sweet rendition;
A lullaby I can not find elsewhere…

I must say a good night to you all,
Oke Iroegbu

”The sweet fragrances of the morning
Has come to my nose and face
Yesu masoyina, You made this possible!
Even when I lay like a log of wood
You came to wake my slumber Lord…”

Now the mornings has come
It is still dark but very warm
With the morning, Divine providence
I hear the sound of twittering birds
I smell the airs of the dry earth
As the dusts suck the last rains moist
The wind is full of soothing comfort
I feel Your blessed and everlasting support
For the peace which You gave my soul
And also, the blessed cravings of my soul,
The beautiful faces and light I see
And the sweet dreams You gave me
I look up to You always, my Provider
My God, my lover and my Jehovah
And through all I do, You are my direction
For You are my sure source of inspiration

I can’t reverence You enough Father
I wake strong to say, na’gode Allah!

Note:
Na’gode Allah… Thank You God
Yesu, masoyina… Hausa language for Jesus, my love

Hausa is a northern Nigerian tribe whose cultural influences spread into Niger republic and some West African countries.

Once upon a blue quiet lake
Beside a green florishing forest
Lived a Duck and her chicks
All day they waddle about
Enjoying the peaceful serenity
But a day came and the Duck
Brought her chicks all around her
‘Quack quack Daak’ she began
Turning to the nearest chick
‘You have been friends
With the old grey Turtle
You know the Lakes’ waters
More than your siblings
But I pray, tell me
How many times would
Something happen to you
And you would learn?’
‘Quack quack mother
Sure I would learn, but only
When it happen, and all times!’
The first duck answered
Mother Duck nodded thoughtfully
And turned to the next duck
‘Quack quack Duuk, come closer
You are not scared of the weeds
You even fought off the black Eels
But tell me, my little brave one
How many times will you learn?’
‘Quack quack mother
But I can only learn
If it happened to me’
Mother Duck nodded thoughtfully
And she turned to the last
‘Quack quack Little Deek
You are scared of all ripples
And the neighborhood fishes
You have made only few friends
I wonder, but let me know
How many times will you learn?’
‘Quack quack mother
I won’t learn from any misdids
I shall learn from others mistakes
I shall watch the Eels movements
And all crafty ripples upon the lake
That are not made by my kind
And I shall always be careful
For to survival, there is no friend’

Commentary:
Well said Little Deek Duck! You would say with me, I guess but I think she is the wisest duck I ever saw in my life!
Sometimes, it is better to follow events with wits… Not falling victim/prey to what comes our way. learning from peoples past mistakes and not trying to repeat those. Being friendly and brave might not be enough to cushion challenges/problems/issues we face…

“Weet weet weet… Weet weet!”
I hear the screeching of the little cricket
Calling to the quietness in my heart

1.
As the light of the lamp fade slowly
Then time brought back my memories
For in my sweet and lonely reverie
A desire come to me for some poetry

2.
Left with the screeching of an insect
Which has turned to become a friend
Quietly in solemn patience I wait
To the crickets call I humbly listen

3.
And when the nights are lonely
I stay grateful to God Almighty
For blessing me with this gift that makes all happy
And for this little cricket which sings me a lullaby

After the rains…
The white clouds come forth
The wetness settle on all

Behind the quiet little huts
Pots are filled with the waters
Which the rain has brought

And still the rain drops fall
From the vertex of rooftops
Whose head hung proudly

The roads are muddy and slippery,
Fine sand particles washed away, while
The little hamlet on the red mud sleeps

The coolness comfort the clan
For the Nights’ treacherous wind
Took her toll on all that was awake

Soon, the butterflies will fly about
The sunflowers gold will shine
As the sun rise above the hills

What a beautiful scenery to behold
When the sun rises, above the hamlet
Painting the greens, the faces and the land gold,

“I ask for the strength of the rain…
Bring down the dark heavy cauldrons
With all the gross, stalky condiments
Maka agam eme ka miri zo n’ebe tata!
(For I am about to conjure up a rain today!)”

Chukwu Nnam…
I want to make some rain today
That is why I call upon Your Name!
Biko, listen to what I have to say!

I am about to make a deep well
For I desire to call upon the Heavens
I scratch the dusts with my finger nails
Staring up the clouds for a clear sign

I chew the raw leaves of the cassava
I spit into the burning fire, raising a fragrance
Hear me my God, send the rain with thunder!
For I seek now to watch the skies turn dark grey

I call upon the clouds and winds
Come about, push your little cousin
And upon the dry lands,
Now let it heavily rain!

Hearken to me, for I am but a little boy
Part and parcel of mother Natures’ dolls
I have kept poultry, I have tilled the soil
But now I seek to hear the sound of the rain fall

When it rains, let it flood the drought lands
Let the people come down from the hamlet
With calabashes and all sorts of bands
To take this rainful blessings, You brought

Let this rain fall both on the good and the bad
Upon the farms upland and down the valleys
Let it wash away the sorrows of the land
And let the green fields yield bountifully

I feel the airs gather around the Cloud
And the Cloud, herself gather above my head
I feel the wingless and graceful surge of the wind
I knew You would always uphold my words

I sit on the young leaves of the cassava
Humbly, I squat and nod at the chalked circle
For only You Lord I call Owa ra mmiri na ozara!
The One who separated the sea with Moses’ mantle!

Note:
Chukwu Nnam… Igbo language for God, my father
Biko… Igbo for Please
Owa ra mmiri na ozara… Igbo for He who makes a water storm in the desert

Commentary:
I paint a picture known to Africa. Some people are known to make rain fall at their will and to also stop the rain from falling. It is purely an imagined piece. The Igbo is a Nigerian tribe situated on the Niger Delta.

“Tap-tap tap, tap tap… Tap!
I hear the pat-pattering of the first rain drops
As they fall in quiet, indifferent but solemn grace
… From the comfort of my warm dear bed…”

The heavy wind blew up the curtains
Sending papers and nylons flying high
The skies are grossly dark and faceless
The wind blew even more harder
Bringing fine sand and dust to the door
And upon the dark horizons; come the lightning
Flashing lightly, showing off hidden silhouettes
Of trees and houses, which stood here and there
As the pat-pattering of the rains continued

The neighborhood grows cool and quiet
Wandering night birds find solace in cracks
The strong winds sift into peoples homes
Driving the heat as the Masai drive the cattle
As mild as the rains has pledged to be
The heavens stomach rumbled, but not loudly
Just a grumbling, one of a whistle-blowing
The breadths of the clouds echo after it
Belching in corners, raising a sequence
But the pat-pattering of the rains continued

All is wet, the roofs, the greens
And all that makes life beautiful
The rain comes in a grande style
This is his time, the time for some spoil
The smell of wet clay filters in
Nothing compares to the life
Which the first rains brings to all
The pat-patterings sing a lullaby…

The greying cassava leaves and stalks
The moonfly, the bats, the owls, all that can fly
The farm cattle, the birds and the shepherd sit quietly
Waiting for the morning, for the time the sun will rise
Hoping to see how bright the clouds will look
For the rains has washed the dusts and soot off
Even so, all live: faun and flora
And the nights ferocious shadows;
Quiver at the touch of the wind
A romance come from heavens
As a sweet and fresh smell of earth rise
When the pat-patterings fall upon the dusty soil

Now the weather is clement
For the terrible villainy heat
Has gone with the winds strife
The heat battle the winds upon the skies
The nights innocence and fate has been proved
Humans and cattle relax, so also all that is winged
The rains come slowly
The farmstead grow happy
As the rains pat-patter down the roadside

The joys of the first rains has come!

Now let’s have some evening breeze
And with it let a tale about it be told
Always the night is cold but noisy
Creatures of the dark and creepy places
Move about, bothering the peace of men
The sounds of the night is strange
But to some, it is a great acquaintance
A reunion of two different worlds
One, the quiet and the other, the unquiet

The Night plays several lullabic songs
She is skilled with the strings of music
The sides of her mouth sings gaiely
She wakes the black and brown crickets
Letting the streams of queer music flow
Unified beats and rhythms of the night
With the spectators watching, the stars
And their grey solitary cousin. the moon
Watching the procession of quiet hymns

Nature stay smiling upon her providence
The drama that unfolds when man watch her
Mother Nature plays the strings of my heart
She sings in a sweet alto voice, confusing me
And with her fine soothing breezy touch
She plays her fingers upon my hairy arms
Like the soft caressing skin of a snakes velvet
She lays by my side to whisper her tunes
Cupping her hands into my long ears

Life is all about finding what gives you happiness
Fortunate for me, I found these in Natures embrace
I love to live my life with what gives me abundant joy.
Seeing live animals around and green plants upon the soil
Watching the golden sun rise above the grey hills
And the joyful memories that come to my soul still
Gives me a Divine experience, unexplainable even to me
Encounters with all that God has brought on Earth, for me to see

(i.)
Laughter is a sweet wine
She goes into the eyes
Burning the desires of men
Family is a nice paradise

(ii.)
Friendship is like a flying Eagle
Flying above quiet blue waters
In love there is no need for struggle
Nothing like a sister or brother

(iii.)
Sometimes things and people change
But nothing changes a familys’ love
From plain vales to mountain ranges
There is no pat, finer than a loved ones hug

(iv.)
In this heart of mine, in my minds eyes
Lives a long weary tale and poetic tapes
Ups and downs, laughs and sighs
But the smile on your faces give me hope

I love you all; family, friends and readers
Yours’ penly
Iroegbu Oke’

Now the Locust played about
The comely sunny Summer, he minded not

The Ant gathers leaves, grains and nuts
For the clouds slowly but steadily go South

The Snow Queen and all hue turn bright,
All the land then become immaculately white

No more grain, no more fun, no tall and sweet green grass to hide in
But the stores of the Ant stay, for he the signs of Winter had seen

Wait for the morning
It comes a little while
The night was long and creepy
But the morning must surely come

Wait for the rising sun
Hear the birds twitter
Upon the trees that stay around
Let Heavens airs touch you

Throw the curtains open
Watch the sun rays fall
On the waters of the river
Feel the wonders of Nature

Let the golden sun filter in
Through the open windows
Be thankful, for the life you have
For nothing is greater than this!

Arise and shine, for it it morning!
Show some care, watch the tree leaves fall
And when it gets dark and evening again
Let the memories of the morning stay still

(i.)
“Open the windows of your heart
See the wonders outside; besides you”

I like to write this for you, dear
For memoirs of what we share
And as the last days drew near
A moment of truth, I can swear

I care for all which come to me
The butterflies which fine colors I see
And the Sparrows which fly to the Sea
And in all; to me, I will always be me

(ii.)
“The clouds are blue up the Heavens
A fine prize for those who care to love”

Within, without but my love is for charity
I will never claim any right or authority
I get all muddled at times, love is also piety
For it does not come from looks or prosperity

I always have very little to say
I have found it, now I know the way
Strong winds flush about, on me it plays
Scoffing at my face when I try to look away

(iii.)
“Say always words of encour,
Save the young hydras’ neck”

I keep trying to reach and talk to you
Each time you seem to be busy Iroegbu
And then you told me you will be good
I went my way, so I hope you would

Not for me, nay, no, not anymore
I dislike inconsistency, it’s an eyesore
But faith, believe, trust and care all allures
Talk to me, but do not hasten to my door

(iv.)
“Do not fall prey to the Bear
For her manner of dinner is queer”

I felt your heart beat happily when we hugged
We complained for it lasted only for a few seconds
A memoir, desire and longing that in my quiet self, long ago lived
But to my books and future, to You Jehovahs word; I lovely wed

But then I will always be myself in the end
And to these bright future, flowers I shall send
For I have seen it all, I have seen the Lions den
And I shall say goodbye, just by the rivers bend

I muse from this quietness in my soul and the comfort of my dear bed…

Now we don’t have to go outside for the sun to burn us
For in the house there is sufferable heat come from nowhere
The mosquitoes know of these plight so they stay away
The deep nights are hotter, our beds are moved to the corridors
The fans blow hot stuff into the atmosphere, one wonders in confusion

But I must find it, I must find some comfort
But where, somewhere calm, cosy and soft
Alas, it can only be so out there in the corridor
Where the Night is confused, the Wind has not come yet
She must have gone to see the Morning, for she is a flirt
Well, I don’t care an atom theory about the Wind or her whereabouts
I can only say the state of affairs, and at present it is very hot

Frankly, the bed is the best thing ever
To happen to a shepherd or a farmer
For it had been a long and hectic day
Though he had little naps along the way
The wailings of the young ram and goats
Disturbs his sleep; he swerves, he waits
He leans forward, allowing his ear to pick up strange noises
For a stray fox, allowing the tip-off to come with the breezes
And when the roosters call out to him
It comes like a blessed sunday hymn
A rendition, a call he has grown up with
And now he can decipher all with his wit

When morning came and the sun arose
He also rises, even as the early cold wind blow
Reaching for a nice and warm silk cloth;
Off he goes, marching away from his tent
Towards the farmstead, which he loved
And muttering to himself, he solemnly prayed
Wishing the flock well, and hoping for a better day ahead
Greeting the flock, he wanders in steps calm but bold

And each time, his joyful smiles know no bounds at the sight of his fine flock
Grazing at the lower vales, with a pond before him and a family of waddling ducks

“I shall stand at the cliffs edge
I shall look out for a better home for us
We shall run from the very familiar
We shall find a new start
And when the Eagles return to nest
I would hurriedly rush home to you
We shall pack up, all our belongings
To embark on the final leg of a journey
…To the West, to the setting sun…”

The road is thorny and mountainous
The land full of poisonous adders and toads
Inedible mushrooms, distracts the traveller
But wasn’t it said here lies a depth of gold?
The wolves howl behind the weary men
Winter is cruel to those who seek refuge
In her treacherous arms and embrace
But the moon shine and men count their luck
And when the sun rises, another hope is unleashed

The trail is fresh with different paw prints
But we must go, to find a new land
To find Scotland, Vancouver or Newfoundland?

(i) Light
Nothing feels better sitting in a quiet room
And all you desire is but the sweet loneliness
Laying in the dark room were the light is faint
Musing over your ups and downs on a paper

(ii) Paper
Strange how my room is littered with papers
Torn, painted, carved, squeezed, here and there
Though it’s a little creepy with much paper here
I still see some light rays come from the curtains

(iii) Curtains
The strong wild wind flirts with it
Throwing kisses at her blushing face
Without asking she flings up and down
To strange tunes, as she hover over my head

(iv) My Head
I have seen you in the mirror, aye I have
Ruddy, light cat-eyed with two fine Elfy ears
A red lip, a big nose and what a head, you are!
But I wait still, for the day I meet you dear self

“I hear the strong sound of drums
Come from lands far, far away
Music living up the hills and slums
Down to the seaside by the bay”

The call of the birds flying home
As Darkness unfolds her cloak on the Earth
The choir of frogs across the little pond
Singing and croaking out their hearts
The sweet wind that blows hard
When the clouds thunder and rain
Victoria Lake and her lively waterfalls
With Natures own strings and bows
The wailing of Mangabeys and Partridges
In the African wilderness of the Veldt
Sahara in the sun and her sand storms
The laugh of the Hyena and drunk men
And the whistling of the Pine trees
On romantic and strongly airy nights

Mother Nature plays her strange music
And she plays for those who care to listen

Once upon a midnight dreary
As I pondered weak and weary
The night was grim and all was damp
Swarms of flyfull insect surround my lamp
And out there the trees stood like Halloween ghosts
Waiting to take a stab, standing lightly on the dusts
The clouds shine, Zeus was trying out his new lamp
His match sticks light the heavens, lands and the
swamp
The grey bearded unsmiling
Moon shone gleefully
My big head watching it, tired and weary
My head stuck back into the window hole
And at first it fell on a big bowl
A friend lay snoring up the bed
And to me, the cool ground I laid
Strange lonely sounds of the dark
Rent the air, on my mind it left its mark
This night cold, quiet and galely uncaring for its looks
And all I had as a pillow was those books
I thought wild, letting my mind wander
Minding not the quick wind and her asunder
But if I was asked to let be
This night, what the gifts God gave me
The disturbing slow-speed lamplight moth
Or the cold winds this strange Night brought?

Now to bed we all must retire
But before this, let’s do a satire
For my bed which I so admire
I’m wrapped in my pyjamas, a funny attire

After the days hectic work
On the bed, a pen and book
I struggle quickly to find and pick;
A poem, it must even when I’m weak

I write about the day and noon
About the pipers and their nice tunes
I write about the grey fine moon
I sit to look at it but my eyes sink soon

The airs come, a merry night
But for the noisy hidden Crickets!
Mocking me from their dark forts
Disturbing my quietness and thoughts!

My candlelights dance excitedly
My green ball pen waltz joyfully
On paper they paint a picture to see
“To be or not to be”

Now the day is clearly over
And all has gone to their slumber
I’m so weak, I’m not a heavy sleeper
For after the struggles I do wonder

I shall retire to my bed lonely
Do not wake me up for some poetry
For in my dream, I see ecstacy
In the morning I shall tell you about me

Most duels are fought without,
Some, more important, in us,
What kills is that element of doubt…
Let us unravel the journey first!
I wait, hoping for a smile from you Its not that hard, if you give it a try,
I know you have battled pain,
I know your dreams were always high!
Let me play the clown a while,
Let me journey on and try,
Wipe away your tears and see, Its just not worthwhile to cry!
I cry too…often hidden from sight
We are all here, in this plight!

Written by a good friend Arunav Barua…

“1 John 4:18 ESV
There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out
fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and
whoever fears has not been perfected in love.”

*******
Now I recall what it all means to me…
Love is the croaky sound of the cricket beneath my bed
Love is the little chicken that thought I was their mother
Love is the dark blue skies that rains when I cry out
Love is those happy faces I see after a long time in Christmas
Love is standing in the midst of a tree herd as their leaves fall
Love is the strange dogs that come to play when all is quiet
Love is playing in the fields with little curious insects
Love is calming a tearful kid that you havent met before
Love listens to the sweet music from winds come from other lands
Love is the ability to summon the wind and the rain with the mind
Love is keeping memories of dear ones lost along the way
Love makes Mother Nature work for you

Care for all, while you can
Dance and live while you can
Love abundantly while you can
For Love tastes like the spring water
Love is Divine and only comes from God

I wake to the light shining on my weary face
To Heavens airs and my Gods unfailing grace
Before now, the window was half open
Dark it was then, but for the waking sun

My fancy, my imaginations knew no bound
For even in my reverie, my wits stay around
Crickets which stay in hidden cracks call out
And I couldnt help when a yawn left my mouth

Sweet morning just came by
The airs also with a sigh
Upon my bed, I toss and turn
And in my head an idea is born

I see a dead flower
In a vase, formerly for butter
How battered it looked, oh poor thing!
But to another thought, I let myself swing

Siblings and memories come to say hello
In my confusion, I have lived long time ago
I smile, I reply and I smile again
Asking “Breakfast is on the way, but when?”

Now as I raise this China cup to my lips
Taking a humbled long and quiet sip
And as the taste of warm milk come to me
I feel Gods goodness and how lively I can be

Aha, my mind seems to laugh at me…
But I cared so little for what it thinks
I say to it, “there are more to life than you see”
And for the world I say, “follow the sun as it sinks”
For a shepherd, I am a stranger and sojourner
…Travelling to a land far, far away
To places I would see people and wonders
To lands where the sun shines in the day
And the eyes that see it, shall know its worth
For the latter glory shall come forth

It is about time I danced with the Masai
And hold their hands to feel their muscles
Taking their foot paths and frighting the lions
And other wild cattle in the wilderness
I will race the ancients hills soon
And my trophy shall be a smile
And a hug from a loved one

It is about time I see the blue skies of other nations
The warm smiles of people who love Gods providence
To dance to the tune of the Scottish pipes
And sit upon a cliff overlooking the wild blue sea
I will write about life, God willing always
And again my desired trophy
Shall be a smile and hug from a loved one

Never shall I forfeit a beautiful dream
Never again shall the worlds deception
Come to me like Potiphars wife and Joseph
But in my desires Lord I seek you only
Groom my heart, groom also my mind
That sometimes stray from its enclaves

The nights are quiet and calm
The smell of the rose picked in the morning
Comes mildly as the serene air filter in
Curtains dance like the naked light of the candle
Like you, my dear as the night you danced
Raising your hands to your beautiful black hair
Looking through the raised arms to see my smile
Chuckling and blushing, shy but boldly swerving about
You danced like a tall and fine Arabian princess

Sweet rendition of the radio and the wind upon the window
Plays a fancy, through the window to the hills down below
The woods burn and sigh quietly in the fire
But upon the dancing image I sit and admire
The smiles upon your face tells of the sun shine
As she wakes on the horizon and cloud lines

Nice airs still come to us, to our tranquil get together
Nothing compares to this Heavenly love we share for one another
It sinks slowly, but admiringly
Our candles, melt like cheese
And in those shadows a tale is told
Of the tall Giraffe, fine and bold
And how this fine Giraffe
Ate the sickly moon half

Now come sit upon my thighs
Let me see your pretty eyes
Let me sooth the toils of the day
And the pains all come to you away
And when your hairs I hold in my palms
Let it be the next song and psalms
To God, our Sovereign and tryst maker,
Our all who had made our lives easier

And when we both wake in the finest morning
Our words will be softer and faces full of smiling

The tent-peg shake angrily in the wind
On the sandy soil it looses its strength
while the clouds are dark with the storm
The mighty wind takes her toil upon the hamlet
Dried leaves and sticks fly in circles
Dancing to the tune of the angry wind

The roofs upon the towns houses
Creak and seek to take flight
The tree lines are aroused to a war
Branches swerve in wild friction
Causing panic and fear on the neighborhood
Pines are heard playing their flute loudly
As if it was their last to come

The winds asunder stops
Calmness comes to all
And the clouds are clearer
Allowing all to find their way home

Memories and tales will be told
Hopes and dreams, in shield
And all will pass into legend
If our paths ever pass again

When it is time to leave the hamlet
To leave the vales and the thornful paths
To seek fresh and sweet grasses
For the little bleating lamb and sheep
The shepherd wakes from his slumber

The roads are rocky and mountainous
Filled with stubborn stones and quarry
The mistletoe grow on the roadside
But the herd march on, happily to other places
Minding the bushes and hare traps

The morning is mild, the sun not awake yet
The clouds heavy with dew and mists
And when the herd sees the gliitering stream
They rush forward for a splash and cold drink
Gulping and disturbing the little fishes

The shepherd bends to wash his sooty face
A young lamb rushes to him, nudging him lightly
Then he stretches his palm, touching her face
Running his hands up and down her neck
And in that delight, she bleats excitedly

The noon comes with the suns heat
The trees provide shed for the shepherd and his herd
He sits on a rock to watch the amazing sight before him;
Lovely lamb and fine sheep grazing humbly
On a vast green valley, full of life

He looks up to the tree branches
As beautiful plummages sing joyfully
And the humming bees that stay on the tree
Smiles draw across his handsome ruddy face
For this lovely sight he sees each day

Even so, the airs become milder as the sun set
The herd walk up to him as he whistle to them
In a few minutes, he has called all to himself
And towards the hamlet behind the hills, they went
Happy again to splash through the waters of the stream

In the evening when the sun is finally set
The happy shepherd returns home to his fluffy bed
For a quick modest dinner of warm milk and bread
And on his bed he turns and tosses to find some rest
Counting the sheep in his mind, and smiling in his sleep

And when the beautiful summer happened to come…
Upon the glades and vales of the wildwoods
The Mountain stood quietly by the forest side
Sniffing the sweet smell come from fresh growing flower shrubs
The happy birds come flying back home
Followed by all pretty insects and the boar herd
The skies are tinted with blue skirmish
Sometimes it seemed it will rain, but it wouldnt
The tomatoes ripen fast and blush deeply
Whenever the black beetles walk up to her for a little chat
The sun shine brightly, amused at all reunions
The fine community knew many, many happy times
This was one of those beautiful moments, exhilarating
Antelopes walk majestically beneath the tree branches
And squirrels hide behind the branches, watching
“Awww, do you see that?” the pink footed Doves quiz themselves
For in a sudden, a young seed came sprouting from the last snow dot
How joyful it was, the Mountain wore a dark gown
Wondering who dared to admire her triangular shape
For her lover, the cold Ice-King had travelled far, far away to another land
Carrying with himself; all stray winds, both little and mighty
To find another lover, but she believed not that
For she heard it as a rumor from the busybody grey Wolf
The Pines look quite taller, for the snow has left their frost-bitten roots
And when they look down, they feel good about themselves
“Oh, how awlfully painful the frost bite was on our foot”
The crickets wonder, leaping from a grass leaf to another
Allowing the wet airs to sift through their fine long body muscles
“The dead Earth is alive!” They yell in utmost joy and unison
“Look at the Mountain, must she dress scantily
Now the Ice-King has no use for her iniquities?”
A confused Wolf said, hiding his face from the suns light
“And what beauty she has brought forth”, a confused Linnet replied
“The flowers blossom in magnificient desires
The tree leaves are greener, and the airs milder
But are all these, the only wealth of the summer?”
The philosophical Woodpecker asked as he shook his head
For to him, the soul of living and happiness
Comes not in the summer nor the winter

This is the third in the series of Wildwood poetry written and posted in this blog.

Have you seen the African golden Savannah?
Come drive through dried brown grassland
Come bake in the heat of the sun
Come taste the corn beer, cooked by the locals
Come ride the horse through the wildlands
Come draw your name on the tropics beaches
Come and see…
The stray serpent, the Python or the Scorpion
The spotted skins of the Leopard or the Hyena
The foot paths of the giant African Elephant
And the herds of the colorful Giraffes and Zebras

The sun set is always golden
Painting the horizons with lively hue
The clouds are lighted with gold
As numerous birds fly happily home
View the amazing sights of the waters falling from the Victoria
Crystals of liquid jewel, playing joyfully in reckless carelessness
The forests are treacherous, but they beckon
“Come and see, come to me!”
Come run the hills and dance with the Masai
Come drink the waters of the Niger river
Come eat the sweet cassava flour bread
Come feel the hustle of the African metropolis
Come and never be in a hurry to go
The African golden Savannah calls to you

The days hours go fast
The sun makes all lazy
Then came two strange looking birds
Straying away from the hen brood
To come sit beside me
Ignoring their mother hens calls
Funny birds!
But they were all sitting beside me
Listening to the airy wind
And the sounds coming from trees
Maybe they thought I was their father!