Oke’s Musings: Poetry, People and Places

Author: Oke Iroegbu

  • The Rainmaker’s Poem

    Do you want to hear the rain howl in the wind?Then you must come to AfricaHere the rainfall is a sport to childrenAnd a time to count numerous blessingsBut if you doubt this, I will make it pour! Come rainfall! Come, dear friend!Send this town scuttling for safety,Let the first rain, fill pots with murky…

  • Shepherd lore: Sunset

    I wonder why she hides behind the hills and cloudsShying away from the approaching breezy eveningOn clouds where birds fly in echelon, calling a farewell as they wentOn casted tree shadows hanging on the springs like rags on the railBored frogs may resume their croaky ballads;Hundreds of bass voices singing, in harmonyThe coloured clouds melt…

  • Stars

    When I wait under the old mango treeI count the glittering stars far awayAnd laying on soft sandy soilI get a better glimpse of the dark skiesThe wind is my guest,She rents her cold self to me,She whispers tunes of natureAnd drag tree leaves to fan me,It’s an evening of quietness and cold,Moments of thought…

  • Quote About Africa: State of Mind

    When you leave Africa, as the plane lifts, you feel that more than leaving a continent you’re leaving state of mind. Whatever awaits you at the other end of your journey will be of a different order of existence — Francesca Marciano

  • Love Poem: Tryst

    I invite you to a two-people drama; not Romeo’s, not Juliet’sJust you and I, under the full grey moonshineStand aside, watch me do this new dance I learnedCome closer, look into my eyes, and let me smell the rosesCome let me tell you of my love and how loving set me free Nothing excites me…

  • Peace

    I love the peace each morning brings:Wake to a reassuring and mild breezeReminds of the perfect gold sun risingBehind those exotic and ancient trees It’s not intentional to meEach time I’m awestruck!With this beauty all around,The smell of life is abundant! So scenery & landscapeOf cheerful flying birds,Of ducks & deer walkingWelcome the lovely day

  • Pic: Zimbabwean Wilderness

    From Jaspher Mecha

  • Hang out with Chidiebere Okoroji from Nigeria

    Today’s hang out will be with a former classmate I share a passion for writing with. He enjoys writing about politics and justice. Please welcome Chidiebere Okoroji from Imo State, Nigeria. If you follow my blog, you might have seen his poems. In this post, I’ll ask him some questions about his private life and…

  • Quote: Be Happy

    You deserve to be happy, so be happy! 🙂

  • May

    Oh, May, lovely May! The month I fell (for you) Like old tree leaves Swerving in the wind Carefree and happy To meet the dirt below I dreamed a lot Our memories worth Under the grim shadows Of this quiet mango tree And the glad glare Of the moonlight You remind me of May

  • The Messenger

    The wind grows soft and dryIt carries messages quickly forgottenWith its speed, it may be lostPines whistle, and men, stay to listen

  • Orbits of Love

    Your eyes are like orbits of loveWhere stars shine in the reverie I let you know thisYou – a creator of happiness,And every time you smileMy heart sings a tune of bliss

  • Video: Beautiful Rwanda

    Beautiful African motherland! Visit Africa and see how it will change you forever!!

  • Quote on Education

    Education is the foundation for human capital and management

  • My Brook – Oko’pia (VO by Aneta Felix)

    I’m excited to introduce an excellent journalist, poet, creative writer and voice over artist based in Lagos, Nigeria. This poem was voiced by her. Please enjoy this soothing weekend presentation from Aneta Felix! From home in quiet hamlets, I hear your surgeTelling stories when you pass through the roaring current,Through white clouds painted by sound…

  • The Night is Pregnant

    Now it’s raining again! The clouds quietly gather For Night is heavy with child And ready to yield pots of water! Lightning draw caricatures Across the blackened skies Frightening all who are awake These expectant clouds Or mischievous lightning Knew to keep heavy sleepers awake

  • Pic: African Wild Dog

  • Love Poem: Vocal Night

    A host of shrieking cricketsA plethora of frogs abundantAnd birds of vocal strengthPerform a chorus tonight,Wistful, thaw rhythms softSaved for a dull nightFor two gentle heartsIn natural silence rest I listen to your heartbeatOn my embrace, this night

  • Diary of A Village Boy: The Leopard Spirit 6

    When I reached home that evening, it seemed like the whole world was upside down. I felt my head swell with hurt from the bee stings and sharp roots embedded in my feet. By the side of my bamboo bed, Nene and her dog sat, staring at me. She held my hand and squeezed softly.…

  • Lion and Safari Park

    African big cats are unbelievable, I could watch this video from ‘The Lion and Safari Park’ all day! Lions are my favourite big cats. When you hear this in person it awakens a type of primal fear in you that really can’t be put into words. Come let’s roar together! 🦁

  • Tradition: Ofo na Ogu

    There are natural laws upon which the universe is governed. One of them is the Law of reaping what you sow. Another is the Law of Innocence. You can not do anything to an innocent person. No matter how hard you try. These laws are governed by universal principles to the degree that both good…

  • Pic: Victoria Falls

    The sound is intriguing

  • Muse: If I Love

    If I do love youI would make a hut at the gatesDrum and call upon your nameI would write very long poemsSing in the dead of the nightSo it sounds among the ancient hillsWith Echo, the talkative spirit of Air Start a stunning WordPress blog here.

  • Night Rain

    Hear the rain howl in the wind Outside, this blessed frigid night Rainfall is our sport for children A moment to count many blessings, And all doubts to wash off the pour!

  • Love

    Love is a song written On care & truth panes

  • Memories

    Breezes bring memories; mild rosy fragrance, They played and sang of the Nightingale, We wait to tryst, yearning for a lovely sunset

  • Quote on Resilience

    “The oak fought the wind and was broken, the willow bent when it must and survived.” ― Robert Jordan, The Fires of Heaven

  • Pic: Ostriches

  • Love Poem: Best Sunset

    We wonder what it meant To follow orange twilights As it glides down the horizon Leaving all for the evening But the silhouette of love The best we keep for ourselves Staring into your pretty eyes Is my favourite sunset moment

  • Love Poem: Memory

    For love’s memoryI cherish this dose,This care, your beauty,Every time the sun roseI remember this feeling

  • Pic: Herd of Elephants

    A herd of African Elephants

  • Quote on Being You

    When a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps he is listening to the beat of a different drummer, let him dance to the music that he hears, however, measured or far apart. When you are dancing to a beat of a different drummer don’t expect people to understand you. Don’t expect it…

  • Night Poem: Love Messages

    I send love messages this windy twilightLet the breezes carry them fairly aloft

  • Speak Up

    Silence is not always golden When it comes to caution and discipline, silence can be an obstacle. For example, consider a kid riding a bike on a busy road and choosing not to warn him about the danger. Also, think about not calling the police, instead opting to record or observe gang violence in the…

  • My Brook – Oko’pia

    From home in quiet hamlets, I hear your surgeTelling stories when you pass through the roaring current,Through white clouds painted by sound sunlight,And greener footpaths, heading towards the waterfallsI sit on the banks, to hear rumours of the wild woods,Surrounding trees and happy birds blow me kisses,Farther off, children pick palm fruits and rocksSeeking a…

  • The Shepherd’s Song

    Tut, tsi, tsii, tuut, tsiiWill you think I was talking to myself?Haha, not in any way! I call to my sheep that waySo we bond, we use a special codeAnd when they spread over the grasslandI sit to play my guitar- singing HallelujahQuivering fingers, dry in the noon sun,Taste of dew on my lips, a…

  • Quote on Africa

    If I have ever seen magic, it has been in Africa – John Hemingway

  • Happy Stars

    Happy stars are outBeige dusk, moonlightOn pathways brightKept in the looming mistWindy evening gustBlow out on the hamletOverlooking hills & sunsetBrewer of legends & myths,A sleepy moment of twilightAnd fascinating one for that

  • African Proverb: On Hospitality

    A home that welcomes strangers will never lack food Hospitality is an act or service of welcoming, receiving, hosting or entertaining guests. It’s an attitude that portrays openness, respect, and generosity. There are always rewards for those who have good hearts. Is it not said blessed is the hand that giveth than the one that…

  • Sounds of African Drums

    I hear the sound of drumsVigorous beats across the land,Bird rhythms rise and fallFar away in the damp jungleWhere the grass hides allThe earth sang with the windInsect wings zither like guitarsSwimming fishes create ripples,Tiny circles of gentle musicAll melodies for the quiet earth!Far away in the damp forest!

  • Africa my Continent | Njabulo N.

    Africa my continent,The land of our ancestors,The home to beautiful nature and diverse species,That sings humming songs,Even on cold weathers and rainy seasons.Africa my continent,Africa my pride,The land of the black blood,Flowing down my veins,That irrigates all the beautiful fields.Africa my continent,Africa my land of learned youths,Knowledgeable generation,With a beautiful and bright future. Africa my…

  • She 2

    The storm made all darkShe stood under the rainDaring all, wind, lightningHer stars will still glitterMorning is not far away

  • Night Poem: Stars

    The cold night callsStars glow up the skiesPicturing many talesStories only told by sight,So the Shepherd feels allFrom his fluffy bed of wool

  • Evening

    A tranquil evening is nature’s way Of welcoming a weary shepherd, Sunset – thoughtful views herald, Memories where trees dance And soft grasses wait when birds fly home

  • For You

    For you, I will continue to loveWhen your hair falls by your side, I see your mouth pout, my heart leaps insideSo the sun sets sail, to days where our youth fade like falling tree leaves;To establish memories of us, our experiences, felt and unfelt to relive

  • Quote: Beautiful Day

    A beautiful day begins with a beautiful mindset – John Geiger

  • Night Rain

    Fresh air stirRaindrops fallHard roof drums

  • Sunset

    I wonder why you hide behind the hills and cloudsShying away from the approaching eveningLetting birds fly in echelon, a farewell callingTree reflections on the waters like ragsWhen bass voiced frogs resumed their songsHundreds of vocalists singing, in harmonyThe cream coloured clouds melt awayAs queer images draw across the skies,Shepherds call to sheep from the…

  • Quote on Grace

    Grace is free sovereign favor to the ill-deserving.” – Benjamin B. Warfield

  • Image: Strolling Elephants