Oke’s Musings: Poetry, People and Places

Category: art

  • Notes on Leisure

    What do you enjoy doing most in your leisure time? This is a response to the prompt above. Leisure, for me, isn’t the opposite of work; it’s where I reconnect with myself. I enjoy unclaimed time—time that doesn’t require me to produce, justify, or perform. During these moments, thinking slows and becomes less goal-focused. I…

  • Go Forth and Sparkle

    Leave gold dust wherever you stray,In kind words, in light, in gentle sway.Let hearts you touch in warmth still glow—A trace or say trail of love is all to sow.

  • Maybe 3

    Maybe shadows tell stories too

  • Books

    If you were going to open up a shop, what would you sell? If I opened a shop,What would I be selling?Hmmm, let’s see…Books, oh well, New books, old books,I could sell cough drops,Tumblers, pretty rings,Or things that are shiny, But books I can read and sellTo add to my wit and bank

  • Love

    Write about a random act of kindness you’ve done for someone. I believe love is the most incredible magic ever because in love are all the beautiful things one can think of—Oke Iroegbu My random act of kindness is loving people more than they deserve. For context, I’m not referring to the love between a…

  • Writing

    Which activities make you lose track of time? Writing is a useful ancient craftThat aroused my passion and museBy teaching me more about myselfIt had reminded me of my cleverness

  • Quote: Breaking Barriers

    We never know the places we go to. We become the first pioneers when we go, opening doors for people like us and breaking down historical and cultural barriers—Oke Iroegbu

  • Reflection: Love and You Are My Star

    Love One thing that the humankind needs to learn more often is how to love. Love can come in different forms. Respect is a form of love. Kindness, openness, happiness for others, and more. It’s a shame that a lot still divides the world. Tonight I chose to write a very short love poem—and for…

  • Overthinking

    What could you let go of, for the sake of harmony? Sometimes, I must go out of my head and listen to my heart. That is the biggest challenge. I’m working on it.

  • Be Yourself

    What advice would you give to your teenage self? Be wild and fearless, but be kind and genuine, be hopeful and honest, and be loving and compassionate. Do things that bring you joy, peace, and laughter. Work hard, also work smart. Make acquaintances, keep friends. Care for your well-being and that of your loved ones.…

  • Social Media

    In what ways do you communicate online? Social media made writing and sharing written work easy As a writer in a social media era, I use many apps. Most times, it’s just posting on one app that is connected to many others. For instance, my Jetpack app is connected to X, LinkedIn, Tumblr, and Facebook,…

  • Long Distance Traveling

    Tell us about your first day at something — school, work, as a parent, etc. My first time traveling to America was long and tiring. I will repost a slightly edited first post after I arrive from Frankfurt: Forgive me; I arrived at UC Berkeley from Frankfurt yesterday after sitting on a plane for 13…

  • Teaching

    Have you ever performed on stage or given a speech? I haven’t performed on stage or given a speech in a big setting, but I have presented papers in classrooms, conferences, and seminars. Also, I count teaching as an art and form of performance. There’s an audience and then the teacher who performs the art…

  • Reading

    What daily habit do you do that improves your quality of life? One of my daily habits is reading. As a research scholar, I found it essential to exercise my mind each day by reading at least a page of any book or magazine, which proves helpful with time. The human mind, as we all…

  • Penguins of Madagascar, the Series

    What TV shows did you watch as a kid? I liked many TV shows, but I enjoyed The Penguins of Madagascar, the series the most. It was my family show as everyone gathered at night to see the sequel. King Julien was a laughable character, and so was his minions. The Penguins were intelligent, funny,…

  • Poem: Writing

    What do you enjoy most about writing? Writing is a useful ancient craftThat aroused my passion and museBy teaching me more about myselfIt had reminded me of my cleverness

  • Quote on the Human Mind

    The human mind is a great asset, whatever is fed to it, it returns back. Feed it with positivity, and it will gladly return that to you.

  • Night Poem: Stars Glitter

    https://wp.me/p1F7lc-2rk

  • Home

    What’s the shortest verse you read this week and what is home to you? Below is a piece drafted from a discussion I had with a friend. You might agree that home is truly the best place to be. East or WestRain or ShineHome is the best

  • Nature’s Symphonies

    I love to hear the symphonies of natureBy the side of streams or up the pretty sunny skies,When it showers or through the whirling wind trail,The smooth rush of the flowing stream,The screeching of insects beneath grasses,The virtually silent clouds whose sounds are exaltedThe call of birds, the hop of deer, minutes of termites,And effervescent…

  • Love Quote

    Love is the greatest magic ever

  • Let

    Let the soft wind of morning speakLet squirrels pick nutsLet happy deer forage rootsLet pretty flowers blossomLet the sun shine bright tooJust let all good things be Listen, to the rhythm of your heart – of Nature’s

  • Sound of Water

    Poetry may come in the form of flowing water,That tells of no serious thing in particular;But about the few that wash others’ feetAnd the wild that calls the forest home,It chats of fauns that hide in crevicesWhere waterfalls are happy to fall in currents,Rushing, flowing in streams and slow rivers, Out of sight, far away from hamlets,Planting…

  • Love Challenge 4: Reason

    Be the reason someone sings in joy and happiness.

  • Flowers

    Spring and summer sunsets I hikeLooking to smell the flowers I likeTo see their colors, red, green, & white,To wander where pretty flowers restI like to see flowers folded, tucked in,The ones holding off until morning

  • Many Tongues

    Power in Diversity Each time I wait in the elevator, I listen to people who speak several languages. I untie myself from the burden of the English, allowing my senses to drown in the joy of different tongues. The simple flow, melody, intonation, and accents bring me alive. It’s a great feeling living in a…

  • Frankfurt

    I felt my spirit rise with the gliding aeroplane And now my dear friends, the journey has started. I’m in Frankfurt, heading to the US. I’m going to start my masters degree in the US. Stay tuned.

  • Quote: Home

    Home is a warm hug

  • Night Poem: Brewing Storm

    Dark cloudsAnd lightningSilhouettesDogs barkBurdened roofsWary inhabitantsDancing curtainsUnruly candlelightNeighbors yawnFaint pillow talksWhistling windChilly breezesAll waitingFor a brewing storm

  • Treetop

    This smell of wet clay when watching the sunrise, Clumsy tree leaves peeling streaks of weak sun rays, With the cold breeze brushing against my skin Remind me of grace and magnificence, And fully discloses where the sunshine hides I love the feeling of being held above the ground On a peaceful day staring at…

  • The Broken Heart by Saeed Rukayya

    The Broken Heart This greatest dream of mine has been shattered,I fall and stumble into the dark hole,Grasping for light in a place of no shadows, Oh, my heart aches. I watch salty water trickle down my cheek,Thinking of how I’ll stitch this broken heart,Suddenly, his voice echoed in my head,Bringing back the unwanted memories,…

  • Footprints

    Footprints pattern quiet imagesOn soft sands, immaculate as whiteWith time images are blurredAnd other times widespreadTracks stamped on grains of sandDistort the marks of regular sand But tracks may live for the moment or forever

  • July 2022: New Month Muse

    Free and fresh as air are weThose who live where Nature sportWaterfalls dabble same rhythm this mornMother Nature wash her garments in the steam To cloudy dawn is a pleasant songVocalized by a multitude of birds,Playful monkeys or lazy reptilesBeneath this serpentine woodlandTo peaks overlooking the valesThe path may be lost in thick fogBut in…

  • 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.

  • Light in The Dark

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

  • Hangout with Chidiebere Okoroji from Nigeria

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

  • My Dive | Eriata Oribhabor

    I met your mystery…And dream steam burningBefore my muse-ful call…My turn and ease-ful freedom…Your cursery look, my thirst… I saw your power…Clean sparkling watersTucked from our quartersReveling in towering calmOf surrounding greens. I smiled at a dive…Challenged to striveFor same…not one to standAnd watch from the stands.I took a dive. Commentary: Mr Eriata is a…

  • When Woodlands Sing

    The Earth has music for those who listen – William Shakespeare Now the woodland singMany voices play out,Zithering cricketsHissing reptilesTweeting birdsAnd snorting boars All incessant criesFrom hawks and egretsThe sky an airy circus,Below squirrels and rodentsForage through tree rootsWhen beloved nuts drop Water from rapidsThrow fine curtainsDown on dull rocksWhen the rush reachPebbles hurdle jointlyAnd…

  • Memories

    The night is young and lonelyStars keep the herder companyMoonlight, of hazy illumination It reminds him of his dear one

  • Tree Leaves Fall

    Tree leaves fall Happy loops Dreamy wind

  • Quote: Colours

    Colours are the smiles of nature – James Henry Leigh-Hunt

  • Love Muse: Let’s Dance

    Oh, I’m trying… Generally, I’m trying to perfect my art of writing, and in particular for love and lovers. I believe love is a remedy to all problems faced by the human race. Well, without further ado, I present another love muse. Good night. ✌️ Let’s Dance Let’s dance under the moonlight, Hold my hands,…

  • Playing Child

    Don’t let the sun set end this play, dear child Today was a race up hills & down valleys, Your little legs an exalted wagon for hope Greeted by green trees that stand sentry Let the wind soar with your kite & dreams So that the dancing wind may find a friend With you, an…

  • Muse: My Sunshine

    Love is magical. I don’t know what else is Below is a quick muse, written from the heart. And, this heart is full of love. Hopefully, it will find its missing piece. You’re sunshine, The one who plays Strings of my heart

  • African Quote on Heroism

    If heroes were born in the morning, the night will be too cold to receive them – Okoroji Chidiebere

  • Muse: Candlelight

    See how her pretty light flickers Throwing the light on my papers As tongues of fire She seeks to be admired For even the wind has come To flirt and rest awhile

  • Dance With Me

    Would you dance with me under the impressive glare of moonlight?

  • Quotes and Lessons: Resilience

    You’re going to go through tough times – that’s life. But I say, ‘Nothing happens to you, it happens for you.’ Joel Osteen. A difficult time can be more readily endured if we retain the conviction that our existence holds a purpose. John Maxwell. I love the light for it shows me the way to…

  • A Shepherd’s Song

    Tree roots are my favorite seat, mushrooms are cushionsOccasionally my thoughts drown in the music of sheep and birdsLight-colored birds fly above me, up in the trees they gatherTo watch the meeting of white wool spread across the green grassSome bolder birds come down to join the massive banquet,Picking stray insects that fled the grass…

  • Haiku: Bright Evening

    Bright evening Sparrows sing, Lovers listen