Okechukwu’s Musings: Poetry, People and Places

Category: Africa

  • Lions & Leopards

    Which animal would you compare yourself to and why? From a young age, I have been captivated by the majestic presence of big cats—lions, leopards, tigers, jaguars, cheetahs, and more. There’s something undeniably awe-inspiring about these powerful creatures. Among them, I am especially drawn to the regal lions, their golden manes flowing like fiery crowns,…

  • Muse: Windy Evenings and Lullaby

    It has been extremely windy here in Albuquerque for the past few days. The winds remind me of the harmattan winds that blow in Nigeria during the yuletide, although Albuquerque’s winds are more consistent and tend to increase in intensity. These winds carry small rocks and fine sand as they gust by. You must dress…

  • Sounds 1

    In my previous reflections, I explored the vibrant world of colors that captivate our vision. Tonight, however, I invite you to join me on a different sensory journey as we delve into the enchanting realm of sounds that resonate with our ears and humanity. Sounds, much like colors, are essential to our existence and environment.…

  • Diary of a Village Boy: The Leopard Spirit 11 (Tales By Moonlight 1)

    When the moonlight came, the villagers would gather at the Square near Eze’s palace to share stories and tales. Children and even some adults eagerly looked forward to this time. It was a joyful period for the village, as everyone could come together to have fun—playing games, solving riddles, and telling folktales. The first storyteller…

  • Sandia Mountain

    Sandia Mountain This impressive escarpment is a natural beauty I appreciate more each time I see it. Sandia and other abundant mountains in New Mexico are essential to its splendor. The landscape, which is somewhat desert-like but not entirely desert, stretches against apparent blue horizons. I feel the vibes of the movie The Good, The…

  • Mother Nature (Africa)

    I remember writing this poem in Nigeria in 2020. I enjoyed exploring the theme of nature and how it brings me a sense of freedom. The fresh air and lack of pollution and human disturbance allow for deep self-reflection. I miss home, but I believe that home can be found anywhere. This poem, with slight…

  • Quote: Nature

    We are tenants, and nature is our landlord. No one treats their landlord wrongly – Oke Iroegbu

  • Quote: Kings and Kingmakers

    When you become a King or Queen, do not forget those who helped you to the crown — Oke Iroegbu

  • Sun, Rain, or Snow?

    It’s human nature to wish for something, such as rain, snow, or sunlight, but to wish it away when it becomes too much. Sun, rain, or snow, which do you prefer?The sun & rain I like, I’m tempted by the later Mild sunlight is a pleasure for outdoorsChill rainfall can be a great cradlesongThe earth…

  • Maybe 2

    Maybe sunsets are the beginning

  • May

    Let a million tongues singYou, I, our stars, may we all win!

  • Quote: Self-Care

    What details of your life could you pay more attention to? No one is coming to save you; no one is coming to make life right for you; no one is coming to solve your problems. If you don’t do something, nothing is going to get better — Nathaniel Branden

  • Muse: Star

    There’s a lone star up the sky,Glittering feverishlyBothered by the dark nightAnd the bright moon shine There’s a lone star up the sky,From the window you can seeHer struggle, weak and faintBut giving light to heaven

  • Outdoors

    What could you do more of? I love the outdoors. I love the feel of forest wind and the sound of its inhabitants—caressing my thoughts and senses. I love that I can be in tune with Nature, away from concrete cities and unnatural sounds.

  • Indigeneity 101a: Multiple Ways of Knowing

    In my research, I challenge the misconceptions that indigenous cultures have not contributed to modern knowledge. Different cultures have historically documented their knowledge in diverse ways, including through cultural practices such as music, spoken poetry, and dance performances. Recognizing multiple ways of creating and documenting knowledge can facilitate mutual understanding and acknowledgment, paving the way…

  • A Voice for the Voiceless and Birthday Wishes

    What change, big or small, would you like your blog to make in the world? On my birthday, I wish that this blog will continue to be the voice of the voiceless I am writing this short reflection today, not just for my birthday but because it will be my first August 8 away from…

  • There’s a Lion Out there!

  • Òkè

    What’s the story behind your nickname? Òkè is a short version of my name, Okechukwu. Oke in Igbo can mean different things based on the pronunciation. It can mean rat (óké), share/part/portion (òkè), male (ókē), and boundary (òkè). My full name, Okechukwu, means share from/part/portion of God, where òkè means share/part or portion and Chukwu…

  • Congo

    Congo, my dear CongoThe land of many warriors Land of happy womenWho dance and turnTo the beats of drumsAnd to glaring menThe land of goldAnd lush green fieldsOf shrooms, dandelions,And blue horizons boldThe land of many rivers,And great, many lovers,land of the gazelle, leopard,And all graceful dancers The evening is sadSounds of canonRent the air,Bloodthirst,Soldiers,Crying…

  • Folklore and Cultural Studies

    On what subject(s) are you an authority? One subject that I admire and love so much is Folklore or Cultural Studies. Growing up in a culture that prides itself on storytelling, I paid keen attention to how stories shape who people become. I just completed a graduate program in Folklore at a prestigious university in…

  • Mountains in Stories

    There are stories about mountains, and there are mountains in stories. It makes perfect sense that places play a crucial role in narratives.

  • Books that impacted on me

    List three books that have had an impact on you. Why? This post will be challenging because there are captivating books out there. I have read some books recently, but three stood out. One pioneer book that addressed the ills of colonialism in Africa was Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe. The book describes in…

  • Oak Wilderness

    Pockets of green, here and thereSpread across a vast wildernessBlue skies, roaming deer, and harePretty birds in a reptile paradise The night will convey dark cloudsStreams flow into a wonder lakeWith the sound of life piping loudAll for this gentle oak land’s sake

  • Poetry

    What are you good at? I believe poetry is one thing I can do even with my eyes closed in sleep. By the way, I love sleeping as well. Good night.

  • Africa Day 2024

    Today, we celebrate Africa! I created a short video from Lebo’s presentation of my favorite song.

  • Podcast: Oke’s Folklore Corner

    Yo friends! I hope everyone is doing great. I just started my folklore podcast channel. The intention is to discuss cultural forms such as proverbs, folktales, songs, and folklore. I would love your thoughts on the intro. Click here to listen. Thank you, and stay tuned for more. Warmly.

  • Quote on Hardwork

    Do you have a quote you live your life by or think of often? Just remember you can’t climb the ladder of success with your hands in your pocket — Arnold Schwarzenegger

  • Sunset and Misery

    Until When? It’s crazy times we live in. We just came out of COVID-19 to witness the world fall apart. I hope we survive the peace when it all ends and that we dare to look into people’s faces and say we tried our best to live in peace. We must learn to talk with…

  • Sunset at Moss Landing

    Sunset reminds me of the importance of resting, and ocean waves, with their harmony and sudden moments of silence, symbolize taking breaks. The powerful tides crash against the rock boulders, and the wind is busy throwing tantrums at the setting sun. My friends, always remember to take breaks and make time for rest.

  • Muse: Moonlight 2

    You beautiful sphere of light I behold your face once again Fast falls the evening tide And you remind me of home That to everything that has a beginning There must someday come an ending That home calls from a long-distance That I can only wait and listen to its call I see you, mythical…

  • Eclipse Day

    It’s amazing how we can’t see it directly but need special equipment to do so. Do you now agree that many things happen we are unaware of? Happy Eclipse Day.

  • Writing

    What experiences in life helped you grow the most? One thing that has helped me grow is creative and imaginative writing. I always enjoy expressing my thoughts on paper. One thing led to the other and I started this blog to share my poetry with the world. But it metamorphosed into something bigger. I have…

  • Destiny

    Do you believe in fate/destiny? Destiny is like day and nightWe get closer to itBut don’t see what’s nextSometimes there’s heavy mistOther times, there is sunlight

  • Poetry: Moon

    Dear Moon—You beautiful ball of white light. I saw your smiling face this evening, and it reminded me of home. You stood—a shiny ball imposed on the fleeting night clouds. I see you as a myth, a floating phantom without legs. You swept—the streets and roads clean with your pretty light. Incredible, natural, unspoiled, immaculate,…

  • Kind People

    Who are your favorite people to be around? Kind people are my kind of people.

  • Quote: Love

    Travel—travel light, love—love unconditionally – Oke Iroegbu Happy Valentine’s Day.

  • Quote: Your People

    People who are your people are not just those who share the same values, experiences or color but people who want to see you succeed and become a greater version of yourself — Oke Iroegbu

  • My First Name

    Write about your first name: its meaning, significance, etymology, etc. My first name is Okechukwu, which comes from the southern Nigerian Igbo tribe. It means my portion or share from God! Most Igbo names come from situations and experiences people have encountered. I can expand the name to: Okechukwunyerem!—which means the share I received from…

  • Lions

    What is your favorite animal? King of the African jungleWith a golden mane, beautifulGuileful, bones, and sinewsRoar from depths of your soulLet terrifying echoes ring through the hills

  • Coke with Primates

    Think back on your most memorable road trip. This was an excursion I had with classmates in High School. It’s over a decade now, but the memories are alive. This is the report I wrote but with slight editing. I can see how much my writing voice has changed. Our excursion was to the Songhai…

  • Overthinking

  • Writing

    What skills or lessons have you learned recently? I could summarize this prompt with a short poem: Writing is a useful ancient craftThat aroused my passion and museBy teaching me more about myselfIt had reminded me of my cleverness

  • Penguins of Madagascar

  • Further Education

    What positive events have taken place in your life over the past year? A lot of good has happened in the past year. One of the most significant is starting my graduate degree at the best public university in the world—the University of California Berkeley on full-ride. Here, I have met some of the best…

  • Egusi Soup

  • Lions

    What are your favorite animals? I’m a fan of big cats—lions, leopards, tigers, and jaguars. But Lions are my favorites, and I always think they are cutest, especially in a rest/sleep mood. 🦁 The lion is known as the King of the jungle in Africa. It is not the strongest in the big cat family…

  • Big Fan – Big Lessons

    If you could meet a historical figure, who would it be and why? Arnold’s success story taught that hope and resiliency are key to success. I would love to meet these actors and musicians: Denzel Washington, Dwayne Johnson, Wyclef Jean, Jackie Chen, Jeremiah Gyang, Mary J Blige, and Arnold Schwarzenegger! But for this post, I’ll…

  • Instinct

    Do you trust your instincts? Make sure that when you look in the mirror each morning, you are proud to own up to the decisions you make for yourself. Yes. I trust my intuition. Not consistently, but I would most times have never been misled by trusting in myself. I don’t know how I do…

  • August

    What’s your favorite month of the year? Why? August is my favorite month of the year. It is a beautiful month and my birth month. It is also a month of holidays, so I celebrate each birthday at home.

  • Love Poem: Music to my Soul

    Your words are music to my soulIt’s silent as the falling tree leaves,Yet loud like the currents of rapids Your songs are music to my heartThe bird songs and their trifle tweets,Squeaky sits, and dancing beats Your laughter is music to my soulI listen while it fades and lights outTo love again—laugh, songs, and all…