Okechukwu’s Musings: Poetry, People and Places

Author: Oke Iroegbu

  • Igbo Myths: Owls, Bats and Vultures

    In the Igbo cultural society, nocturnal birds are considered to be harbingers of evil. Night birds like bats and owls are associated with witches or dibias (traditional medicine men). It’s believed witches use them as messengers or even transform into these birds. The owl is perceived as a messenger of death. There’s this belief that…

  • Rumbling Clouds

    The rumbling clouds talk to meCracking through the dark skiesSprinkling raindrops on my stepsTwilight emerges above the skiesThe quiet evening brings about A batch of cold wind & shower

  • Lullaby: Night Rain

    Light rain, mild breeze, magnificent shower, Like the faint drums that usher in the noble, Faded lightning, a plethora of tiny drops Those that drench the backyard every night

  • A Shepherd’s Night

    The shepherd lays quiet in his gardenHis face interacting with the black skyFamiliar with the singing night insectsAnd bleating sheep behind the barn doorHe listens to folk music from vales below,Staring up at the faint darkness aboveHe smiles when the early barn owls hootReminding of nature’s friendship & love

  • Sheldrick Wildlife Trust

    Sheldrick Wildlife Trust is going a great job in wildlife conservation in Kenya. Check out their website to see what they do or support them: https://links.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/

  • Quote About Africa: Lifelong Opportunity

    I aim to love and live every moment, every opportunity to witness something beautiful like sunrise, sniff the morning air and hear the chirping birds.

  • My Dreamland is Awake

    Waking to vocal birdsThat greets the rising sun,The atmosphere is brightSo are the school kids Daybreak scent from gardensLittle residents crawl and roamThe cold morning breezePlunge from ancient hills Green below, blue above,Gold across the horizonNature colours lovely selfWith happy, life-giving hues Morning reflects on window panesSmells through the opened curtainsAnd nothing sums it allMy…

  • One People

    Many colours, one people

  • Happy June

    In Africa, it’s a tradition to wish people good when it’s the beginning of something new. Today is the first day of June 2022 and I’m sending lots of hugs and hearts to everyone. ❤🤗 So here’s to all my friends and followers, I wish you a cheerful new month! Remain happy and healthy.

  • Home Tales

    Nightfall dreamsA ride through moonshineHome wait for tales

  • Muse: Talking Drum

    Permit me to etch this melodious stanza upon your heartLet the verbal rhythm be greeted with this fair talking drum,Give me your ears, let them listen as lyrics tell of the night frogWho challenged the melodious nightingale to a song duel

  • Diary of A Village Boy: The Leopard Spirit 7

    Dada said I had to be hale and hearty to attend the Tales by Moonlight night. He also promised I could play and hunt with other children if I got well quickly. So, I took my medication seriously. The moonlight night tales happened once every two weeks; sometimes they were delayed, especially during the rainy…

  • Muse: The Millipede’s Award

    Now, do you know why the animals returned late from the insect award night? The muse below gives us a hint. Once it happened far awayIn the old insect kingdomMany dignitaries appearedHues of diverse fur & feathersAnd what a colourful galore it was! So it was a ceremony to last a dayBut took a couple…

  • Africa Day 2022

    Every time the sun goes downReminds me of the love I’ve foundAt sunset, sunsetSunset, African sunsetI hear you calling me, so far awaySunset, my African sunsetI feel you reaching outAcross the water — Tommy Page I’m delighted to be part of this year’s Africa Day celebration! Africa is indeed a beautiful and diverse continent that has…

  • Silver by Walter De La Mare

  • Love

    There’s a lot of bitterness in the world, we need to spread some love You are like the beautiful golden sunriseYour smiles are like the petals of a flowerWhen you smile I’m lost in lettersI’m happy in your hallowed happiness

  • Quote About Africa: Drums

    The drums of Africa still beat in my heart — Mary Bethune

  • Light in The Dark

    Amid dark skies and night,Through silence and mistsDear Providence grantsEven light in the twilight

  • Reflection: New Beginning and Golden Sunrise

    New Beginning Dear Friends, Today, 365 days ago, I decided to start writing at least one blog post each day of the year! Through tough tides and smooth sails, I came out successful! I’ll like to thank everyone who stayed with me during this journey. The likes, comments and shares gave me the strength to…

  • The Lions Sleeps Tonight

    Indeed, whenever I see images of sleeping lions, Mariam Makeba’s song starts playing in my mind. But don’t let those cute and innocent-looking sleeping cats fool you! They would be awake at the slightest noise. Now quiet! It’s a good night for the lions and me! 😴🦁

  • Rise & Shine

    I watch the gold dawnPrompting the sky stain,Impressive and grandSudden breezes andOptimistic birds sing This morning broughtThe smell of life aboutDamp clay and mistsMany views of horizonsEmbedded in gold clouds Birds fly off in echelonCalling to the flying rankSpreading strong wingsI stretch my arms againIt’s time to rise & shine

  • 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