Okechukwu’s Musings: Poetry, People and Places

Category: Africa

  • My Love Song

    I love the smile on your lips, The dreams you bring to me I love the taste of your pudding, And the smell of boiled walnuts I love our evening walks While we wave the sun bye I love the feel of evening rain And listening to your lullabic songs I love the memory games…

  • Hang on guys

    To everyone who’s experiencing home isolation. This too shall end. With love to everyone 💙💚💜

  • If you let me paint

    So if you let me paint the world, I would imagine the sunrise over wheat fields And fast approaching evening when birds fly home

  • Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe

    Things Fall Apart is a novel written by Nigerian author Chinua Achebe. Published in 1958, its story chronicles pre-colonial life in the south-eastern part of Nigeria and the arrival of the Europeans during the late nineteenth century. It is seen as the archetypal modern African novel in English, one of the first to receive global…

  • Fantasy: Dream with me

    Let’s lie on green fields Close your weary eyes Dream with me of a pretty land I want a tree by my side And a bunny out there too, Sunshine, cute clouds and blue skies Let the sun wear her garment And her warmth mild upon us Let tree leaves shade her light So I’m…

  • Prayer for the Earth

    Continue in prayers -Colossians 4.2 The night is colder than the last Dreams fly away like the egret But we won’t let go yet Now cold nights are strong Even when all seem wrong We run to faith to rest Heal us now, dear Lord, Let this evil storm pass, Let the raging storm wear…

  • What’s in a name?

    A name signifies a person, place, or thing. It may reflect why a person bears it. For instance, one can say Akpan, meaning the firstborn, or Judy, the mechanic. So a name can also serve as a trait, feature, or attribute. In African culture, people name their children after experiences, events, or situations they have…

  • Butterfly

    See Mother Nature’s art See her paintings, black and white Behold gift of the rising sun, The wind a prize to be won So fly pet of the blue clouds … and friend of the wind Break forth from your cocoon Hit the silky walls wide open Fly away, you pretty butterfly Travel farther away,…

  • Draw the sun

    Draw the sun and paint your dreams Believe in the little you do, hope for the best Connect to your mind, live your dream!

  • Dawn

    ** A slope of rounded hills Black against the horizon Threatening the sun with its fierce thrust With thin clouds streaking across the sky ** The clouds underbellies glow reddish hue The morning warmth fighting the heady moon Wide plains stretched, savannah grass paradise Sometimes lonely trees stand with the yellow grass Ancient, raw, the…

  • My Facebook Poll on Covid-19

    Recently I set up a pool for my Facebook friends. Though response was low I still got a reasonable answer. Out of 49 viewers/votes, 84% voted NO to the question on the image and 16% voted YES. I reached out to the YES voters to ask them for reasons for their choice. Some admitted they…

  • Irony: African Leadership and Covid-19

    I’ve tried to figure out why we have cases of both stupidity and shrewdness when it comes to the drama between voters and politicians. As one portray stupidity and the other shrewd, they exchange the baton afterwards. During election time African leaders share enticing gifts, which include cash and food stuff to voters in exchange…

  • Fade

    Nothing compares to speeches made by the eyes When fine memories tumble into low faint sighs Now see our glamour fade before the waking morning With the old tree, where we played sitting and grinning Mourning the demise of a union which might not be Or which was but could not be totally seen

  • On Covid-19 Vaccines by West Indamakin

    Author’s opinion, editted by oiroegbu.com Today Africa is slapped with Covid-19 vaccine testing because of her over dependence on the West for solutions to every challenge faced by the continent. African leaders deny their countries modern medical infrastructure like hospitals and adequate resources to support professionals to attain desired results and match what health practitioners…

  • Beautiful Day

    Is it not a beautiful day? From our places of comfort and seclusion, I trust everyone can get at least a warm and beautiful view of nature, of trees swinging in strong winds, of bird cries across the skies, and sunshine over quiet country or town. I’ll love to share your experiences over a bottle…

  • When Leadership inspires

    Leadership is a great responsibility. It’s in no way a small feat because it involves handling other people’s issues. For the public to trust anyone with power and authority such a person must have earned it through evident charisma and selfless character. A leader is open minded, available to lead the way, and be able…

  • By Still Waters

    By still waters, happiness is found

  • Self Reflection 26: Be Kind

    Be generous with kind words and deeds.

  • The sun may hide

    The sun may hide for a while But faith is our fortitude and citadel

  • Update on CoronaVirus in Africa

    This is heart wrenching, what began as a joke is gradually escalating. Nobody is laughing anymore. When I got the updates I knew that we still have a long way before calm. Closing state borders is not enough. African countries are finding it extremely difficult to handle the scourge with their poor economic status. Now…

  • Self Reflection 24: Be Strong, Be Yourself

    “To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment”_Ralph Waldo Emerson

  • Nostalgia: Traveling memories

    I remember my first attempt at hunting. I was a little boy then and just arrived my hometown for holidays. It was fun and I was glad I went home. As a town boy I had little experience in hunting and general country life. Traveling home was a great way to get in touch with…

  • A kind poem

    I sit in my little space To watch the world spin, I watch kindness show How joy and hope is sown I consider the wind And her benevolent ways, How she spreads fertile seeds To lands far and unknown And realise as I strive to find happiness That other people’s joy matter too So when…

  • Smile for me

    Smile for me beautiful child Show me your happy face Let me find inner peace Because of your beautiful smile Do not be shy Let those lips part, Let your joy fill me with hope Let me see those little dimples And the lines of your face Smile for me pretty African child Let go…

  • Information on Covid-19 in Local Languages

    This is Umukwu, Amune Ovim in Isuikwuato. An uncle sent this video to me yesterday. I’m happy to see this happen. Now that information about the virus is spread through local languages, I expect to see some change in attitude and willingness to observe social distancing. The video is in Igbo language. I think the…

  • Self Reflection 23: Generosity

    Spare a coat, clothe the naked Spare a spoon, feed the hungry

  • Movie: The Ghost and the Darkness

    As we observe our social distancing, I started seeing old favourite movies. I remember this historic film back in the days. Trust me, this is a thriller you will enjoy. Plot from Wikipedia. **** Plot: In 1898, Sir Robert Beaumont, the primary financier of a railroad project in Tsavo, Kenya, is furious because the project…

  • Rain!

    Guess what! Heaven’s tummy is rumbling! There’s some comfort from Heaven finally! It’s been hot since weekend, coupled with the Covid-19 issue, life has been solitary. Now it’s raining heavily outside! I’m seconds away from dancing in it but the lightning is frightening. I smell the wet dust. I’m sure mushrooms will visit tomorrow, haha.…

  • Leadership and Nigeria’s Covid-19 situation

    As of March 29, confirmed Covid-19 cases in Nigeria rose to 111 and counting. The sad reality is that African leaders are not doing enough to prevent the virus from spreading further. Also, the testing equipment and medical personnel are NOT enough should the disease escalate. Even so, some people doubt the existence of Covid-19.…

  • Need for an Afrocentric response to Covid-19

    I received this thoughtful anonymous write up and like to share it with everyone. **** Dear Writers, can you help share this to get to the top before it is too late? Is self-Isolation the best for Nigeria and Africa at the moment? Let’s look at its end result. When I listen to young people…

  • Self Reflection 22: Get Knowledge 2

    A lack of knowledge creates fear, seeking knowledge creates courage. NB: To reject something you know nothing about is ignorance.

  • I hear you whisper

    I hear you whisper in the morning, Waking to your tweet and joyful song, Lonely morning, seeds spread to the rising sun, Fields of tropical wheat sing with the mountain, And with you, beautiful birds; choir made in Heaven

  • Self Reflection 21: Faith 2

    Believing is seeing, not the other way round.

  • I choose Faith over Fear

    Just a few months ago, the world celebrated the new year. People, companies and countries nurtured aspirations and dreams, hoping for a happy year. But the advent of the virus brought fear and uncertainty. With what is going on, this pandemic may cause economic stress across the globe, particularly in Africa. I’m happy it’s Friday…

  • Modern Chaos

    Untarred dusty roads, free wind beat Ancient hills hanging in the smog, While heaps of trash greet travelers Airy morning now, cheerful birds sing Smell of gutted fruits and vegetables, Markets swam with strange faces Human stench overwhelm the breeze At the distance, grasslands burn Hawks descend upon thick smoke As the fire lick the…

  • Stars Glitter for you

    Stars glitter for you When you look up the skies

  • Diary of a Village Boy: The Leopard Spirit 7 (Crocodile at the Stream)

    Dada said I had to be strong to attend the next Tales by Moonlight night. He also promised I could play and hunt with other children if I got well fast. So I took my medication and exercise seriously. The moonlight night tales come once in a fortnight, sometimes it may be delayed especially during…

  • Self Reflection 19: Get Knowledge

    Not to know is bad, not to wish to know is worse. African proverb.

  • Just In: Jack Ma’s donation arrives

  • Creative Baking: Senocreme

    Maya Angelou opined that one can’t use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have. Join me to welcome my guest, Seno Ukpe, a friend from Akwa Ibom state and CEO Senocreme. Meeting Seno, some years back in University of Uyo, I didn’t observe she had an enterprising mindset. Smart and taciturn, I…

  • Covid-19 Update in Nigeria

    The virus is still at large, and people move about freely as usual. Some news agencies reveal frightening figures. I can’t confirm these figures yet. Most public places; markets, schools and religious sites are open. Please keep us in your prayers. For those without Africa, we have you in our thoughts too. Stay safe, everyone.

  • Mother

    Love is a beautiful journey in your eyes, You cook all day to feed our hungry selves And you eat only when we’re satisfied, Our first teacher, lover and my citadel You are a hero, you are my hero! Your love is restraint and inspiration Like the hen, sheltering chicks with her wings, You teach…

  • Beautiful Spring

    Rainfall or shine, flowers and bird calls Squirrels and trees, spring brightens all Dwell in tree houses, sit out in beaches, Live in the beauty within and without you

  • To my First Grays

    You make me look old Like the folktales I told I wish away old age But they say gray is sage I feel happy warmth, When I muse over it

  • Update on Covid19

    The World Health Organisation (WHO) asked African leaders and health institutions to prepare for the worst. I’m afraid, African leaders are doing little or NOTHING to prevent the spread of the virus. Moreover, health institutions in Africa is in shambles, so I don’t know how we will be preparing to prevent the spread of Covid19…

  • My Friend, the Free Wind

    I like that I soak in the rain, Catching water drops That melt before my eyes I play with Nature’s gifts, Dancing with the wind, My free, worthy friend! Rejoicing when our pots fill To embrace mother Nature’s bliss

  • Thoughts on Africa and Covid19

    I follow recent global events with keen interest. I’m worried and hope that this scourge end soon. I’m aware that the growing pandemic is leading lesser economic activities across the globe, and this may cause hard times for African economies in particular. Most African nations depend solely on exports for survival. Nigeria, like many other…

  • Update: Covid19 in Africa

    This image from CGTN Africa show African countries with confirmed Covid19 cases. Stay safe everyone. #coronakindness

  • Wait on the Stars

    Night is falling, I wait on the stars To tell a tale or two

  • Thoughts: Friends Vs Foes 2

    After watching this funny video, I concluded that people are not always what they seem. Friends, colleagues and even family members may sabotage someone’s effort, thereby becoming a hindrance to that person’s progress. Keep in mind that we can achieve progress when everyone in our boat is rowing with and not against us. ***