Oke’s Musings: Poetry, People and Places

Category: Africa, Poetry and Love

  • Africa Day 2024

    Image: Uniquenewsonline Song: Lebo M. Lion Sleeps Tonight Today, we celebrate Africa! I coined a short video from Lebo’s presentation of my favorite song.

  • 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…

  • Winter Break Memories

    While this post is about my experience during the Winter break, I must thank my friends who made it worthwhile. This break was my first away from … Winter Break Memories

  • Reflection: Evening Walk

    Birds tweeting, squirrel foraging, and Berkeley’s hilly and beautiful landscapes, coupled with the scent of fresh grass – of mints possibly, remind me of home. The roadside is littered with green grass, and up the steps, wild turkeys pick the ground for worms. I saw a tiny bird circling the foot of a tree, which…

  • Pic: African Wild Dog

  • Pic: Victoria Falls

    The sound is intriguing

  • Image: Strolling Elephants

  • Africa No Filter & African Women in the Media Graduate Trainee

    Africa No Filter Here’s an opportunity for female African storytellers! Please if you know anyone, share this with them. The latest media grant by Africa No Filter will only fund women storytellers Women’s voices are still underrepresented in the media. To help close this gap, the latest Media Grants by Africa No Filter are aimed…

  • Tweets

    Lovely tweets From treelines Hot midday

  • Night Poem: Light

    Amid dark skies and night, Through quietness and mists Beloved Providence grants To bring through the dark, a light

  • Masai

    Masai – the people who are one with nature

  • Rural Uganda (Images)

  • The Arrogant King

    Once upon a time in a land far away, there lived a king who didn’t listen to anyone. He was so stubborn that he thought he knew everything. If anyone tried to advise or share an opinion with him, he would reject it. He felt good doing this and hence earned for himself, the name…

  • Night Poem: Nature Lamps

    I lived in rural southern Nigeria for a generous amount of time. Each time nightfall throws her pitch-black blanket over the horizon, I can’t help but wonder. I would stretch my eyes as far as they can go to see where the darkness ends, this ends with disappointments because no one can see or measure…

  • African Proverb: The River Route

    If the river route changes, the crocodile is obliged to follow – Proverb from Burkina Faso In today’s proverb, the crocodile can be likened to life and the river route to vicissitudes. Hence, when things change, for good or bad, life has to go on.

  • Quote on Life

    Life grows forward not backward It’s a brand new month! New beginnings are opportunities to build something great. But remember to enjoy this beautiful life you are blessed with. Have fun!

  • Sound of Dance

    I heard the sound of shuffling feet As they moved on the dry grassland So I waited for the style for tonight Lost in the musical earth, Of grassy turns, faded sighs, A generous puff of midday wind, Trapped in a box of an eager heart

  • When The Rain Goes

    I Wish, I Wish Not It’s in man’s nature to wish for a thing and when it doesn’t favour him anymore, wishes it away. When it’s the rainy season, homes, roads and streets are flooded. Mosquitoes, sun flies, roaches, tsetse and other bad guys go on a rampage. Though the rain might help many people…

  • Good Neighbour

    Our first neighbour is our environment – the air we breathe, the food we take in and the natural things that we see around us. Daybreak is her garment She dresses with flowers, Sings with voices sweet & soft And flirts with her helpers Good neighbour, fair nature, Flirting wind, green paradise Favourite aura, great…

  • Love Song

    I knew to love because of you Hold my hands, dear aficionado, let’s watch the shining stars drift Upon this lovely moonlight, this will remain our favourite moment

  • Tale of The Night

    Once upon a time, it was a cold night And one of loneliness for three shepherds, Their melodies were the sheep glad bleating Their balcony was light with the stars up above In the distance, away from their little fiesta Forest wolves called to the rising moon The cold night’s grip was terrific this time…

  • Sunrise in Eswatini

    Do you notice how the sun’s golden blanket spread across the horizon? Life in rural Africa unhurriedly returns to its weekend chores. Breath in! Good morning Africa! 💚🌱

  • Sunset in Eswatini

    sunset scene, dear fatherland home is within when gold spreads a treasured heart dreams of you

  • Africa’s First Story

    High up above the hills of Africa, the dark-winged clouds of the night were still folded above the village and surrounding valley. Man and the domestic animals that were his slept. But the antelope of the forest and the small fleet-footed gazelle were wide awake. In a short time, early morning dew descends from ancient…

  • Quote on Love

    Love is always there if you would look for it

  • Dialogue With The Storyteller 4

    Otii/Oyoo & Assumed Folk Characters Storyteller: Otii! Audience: Oyoo!! Storyteller: Some Igbo communities start their folklore session in that manner. This could be the equivalent of Ifochakpi and would usually be repeated until the audience shouts the loudest. What I do know is that the ifo in ifochakpi means tale in the Igbo language. The…

  • Morning Muse: Rising Sun

    The waking sun that comes every morning, shining upon the land where flowers bloom and food is harvested in its season, the air that we breathe in every moment embraces without a desire for anything in return. This is the love we are constantly receiving – love that never changes.

  • I Heard The Waterfalls Sing

    I heard the garrulous waterfalls sing once, Drowning the noise of the forest in its wake She cascades down, drawing curtains of white waters, Pitching shadows behind the rocks that let it form I have seen the streams divide into two or three files, Each guarding its way through shiny stones and rocks, Creating a…

  • Home

    No matter where you go don’t forget home We may fly, live far away, Far away Papa sits, watching TeeVee Far away, I look back, I crave home’s love Far away, Mama makes tasty dinner Far away, My little ones – all home in my heart I send all my heart and love home

  • Muse: Little Dancer

    Spread your palms, take my hands, Let’s break out from the circle, Hover about, see the morning smile, Tonight you will be my little dancer

  • A Lover’s Muse

    Love conquers all, everything Falling in love was least on my list. The world no longer was a dark place, having met someone who brought light to everything and everyone. Someone who lights the world with all beautiful hues. Until now, I keep wondering what I did to deserve you. Let’s keep this light and…

  • ShepherdLore: Music of Nature

    Tree roots are favorite chairs, the velvety mushrooms cushions, My thoughts drown in the music of nature, the sheep and birds

  • Be True

    Don’t get lost trying hard to please people. Pause for a moment and find yourself One beautiful thing about life is our uniqueness. It’s this essence and originality that sets us apart from others. Rather than trying to fit in, I let my values be my guide. In that, I’ll need not fake my lifestyle.…

  • Hugs & Social Distancing

    What the world needs now is hugs; big, sweet hugs Heartwarming Contact Hugs are heartwarming. It warms up the body and soul, faster than a sizzling cup of coffee. Hugs are passionate physical contact that can tear down walls and boulders, and open up a theatre of affection, acceptance, and love. Every living thing hugs…

  • Folklore: The Shed of Trees Is Our Home

    The shed of trees is our playful home It’s where we learn to sing and dance, Under it, we wait for the moonlight, It’s a citadel when we play our games, Limbs we cling to, to mock the monkeys, It’s the grand shanty where father’s tales are told, The onset and climax of night where…

  • Haiku: Two Snails

    Two snails clash Thin grey trail, Green tree veils

  • Morning

    Cruise Sometimes I get jealous of the free birds and butterflies. No one ever traveled like them. When the bird’s tweet they tell mighty stories of places man has never seen. There’s a particular family here, they sing all day. I keep marveling at what they are saying. One with the loudest voice repeats an…

  • A Lover’s Muse

    Love Is Beautiful Love is a beautiful thing. Love is that perfect feeling, an elixir that brings life to death. Love is a unique virtue that tests even the strength of the mightiest, the wisdom of the wisest and ability of the humankind. It’s a colour that gives meaning to life. Love encompasses all virtues.…

  • Peace

    Peace is like a journey of hope, Where throngs of colourful daffodils and dandelions greet, Peace is the quiet riverside, where tumbling brooks rush, And fishes halt to hear the rushing tides of water, Peace is this dreamy grassland, where green limbs shield, A citadel I run to when endurance & courage is hurt

  • The Human Mind As Art

    You’re Beautiful We’re busy admiring the stars, rivers, hills and all-natural wonders in between. We overlooked the ‘man’ that made the picture complete. It’s our ingenuity that creates beautiful artwork, architectural prowess and imaginative literature. We’re an integral part of nature and hence have a significant role to play in the maintenance and preservation of…

  • Muse: Imagination

    The fireside is my favorite stage And I’m set to be the entertainment So listen to the fire lick the wood, And to these words and humor Here’s the realm, I created in the mind; A guard musketeer belts his gun, An impatient innkeeper ordering, The butchers to supply some beef, All preparing for the…

  • Let It Shine

    If we let our light shine we are unconsciously permitting others to do the same Light Someone’s World How can we make our lights shine? When our deeds or words light the heart of someone. Let’s explain this with an example: a dark room represents gloom and sadness, and so does anyone who happens to…

  • See The Sun Rise

    Observe high above the sky; when the cloudy, golden sun drift away, Hiking by her side is the hilly country, where shines colours of day, Glittering clouds, a nought abundance of gold may define the beauty, The smell of dew on dry clay on air; life wakes to benevolent serenity, The earth is up; with…

  • Happiest People

    Nature’s beauty is best pleasure The happiest people are contented, Those who value what they have: Slivers of peace, happiness, and love Harbingers of hope and fulfillment Happiness is part of nature’s mission It begets immunity in the flurry, Dwell in purity and simplicity From the hustle and noise without Happy people are genuinely rich…

  • Memories By Vanny Onuoha

    Pleasant Evening Well, it’s an exciting evening here. It’s cold without, but I bumped into young talent. So she writes a muse I will love to show you guys. Ladies and gents, here is Vanny Onuoha’s first published work. She’s a Nigerian teen and a budding poet. What do you think about her work? Memories…

  • Muse: Let

    Let this nice morn, a huge favor grant; Let it be known: I cherished you first

  • Muse: When Love Excites

    Nothing excites further,Nothing reveals true loveAs fresh tender blossoms,Beneath these ancient palmsWhere this tryst we make,To renew love once again Enjoy this classic from Shayne Ward

  • If We Ever Fall In Love by Njabulo N.

    Falling In Love I think that falling in love is a risky business. There is the risk of falling, haha. One might become a shadow of himself in the process. What I mean is, if anyone ventures into the business with all his being, he might become a changed person either for good or bad.…

  • Night Poem: Silence

    Silence is not the melody of night Lingering moon, dawdling owls & crickets Emerge to begin the circus called dusk

  • Shepherd Lore: Weekend

    Soft wind, herald of nightfall, darkness draws near, While happy sheep enjoy the fast surge of the evening tide The week ends today, but beers wait for herders at the inn