Oke’s Musings: Poetry, People and Places

Category: art

  • 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

  • Trees are Nests

    Trees are nests, Leafy homes, Greened and lawn

  • Quotes on Hope ©

    Life is a beautiful gift and each sunrise is a bonus. If we see the sunrise, there’s hope. Giving up is easy. Let’s try something tougher like resilience and perseverance. Never give up on your dream. Time is a patient umpire and it will reward those who failed to give up. Only the living can…

  • A Lover’s Poem

    Your voice is like the Nightingales I laugh out loud at your high pitch But that’s an obvious clue; I love you and I can’t deny

  • Serenity Is Vitality

    Serenity Is Vitality Not everybody appreciates a loud and garrulous setting. Let’s assume that people are apples. Accordingly, we come in different hues and sizes and so do our likes and dislikes. The differences become the leverage, our various flavours and uniqueness. I adore relaxed and silent settings, especially the beautiful countryside. It’s strange to…

  • 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.…

  • Be You

    People always make fun of others because they think they are different Well, it’s not a bad thing to be different. So be the very best version of yourself.

  • Pause: Listen and Watch

    Pause Listen Sometimes the wind speaks, The birds sing as they fly, And the rivers throw up sounds Insects display incessant zithering, Rainfall is the beat of the rooftop, And woodpecker’s pecking is a rhythm Pause Watch Sometimes trees draw with dropping leaves, The sands are her drawing board, The crickets burrow on the sand,…

  • 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.…

  • Sunrise – Nature’s Painting

    Magical Moment You will agree that sunrise is a beautiful and magical moment. The glamour and attraction are practically indescribable. Moreover, I reckon that sunrise is a therapeutic time. Sunrise signifies a new beginning, a fresh start, or hope. Sunrise I glimpse at the rising sun far away, It paints this reserved country gold, Glittering…

  • 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

  • Muse: Love Song

    Dear, If I said my mind, everything won’t matter, Your eyes glitter in this warm embrace We create love by exchanging poetic vows, You always make me write a love song

  • Untold Stories

    Little twinkle stars bold Upon the vast void Where invincible forts hold Abundant stories untold

  • 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…

  • 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…

  • Thank You

    Put all excuses aside and remember this: YOU are capable – Zig Ziglar It’s a new month! 🎉🎈🎁 Dear Friends, I hope that your year’s plan is going as schemed. If it is, that’s great, stay on track! If it isn’t, then don’t give up, continue to work on it. Looking out the window, there…

  • Dance With The Wind

    Won’t you like to dance as the tree leaves do when the wind drifts past? Don’t be shy, let burden, toss your hands in the sky, and have some fun Tree leaves sail on the wingless breeze They swerve and scatter at the winds bidding Birds are amused at the strange flyers Who had neither…

  • Dialogue With The Storyteller 2

    Dialogue With The Storyteller 2

    Storyteller: Ifochakpi! Audience: Waa!! Storyteller: Nkita nyara akpa? (When a dog picks up his backpack?) Audience: Nsi agwu n’ohia! (All faeces in the bush go wanting) Storyteller: Spread your mats and sit at the foot of the tree. It was a long day for me, we could use a good story to wrap it up.…

  • Colours

    One Human Race Let’s consider ourselves a part of a bigger colour. One hue needs the other to get its identity but appears different in comparison. We might come from different continents, ideologies and cultures but nothing contests the fact that we are one human race. Let’s live and let live. Maybe, we could teach…

  • 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…

  • Muse: I’ll Go With You

    Muse: I’ll Go With You

    Green trees may turn grey Life may be sweet or sour Day and its hosts, rise & fade But I will go with you Wherever the wind leads

  • 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…

  • Quote: On Confidence

    When you believe in yourself anything is possible.

  • Living Life & Having Life

    Oh, unlucky folk, those clothed in costly coats, In dire metros, wandering noisy, busy, tricky streets, Their wares, cars, & belongings, amassed aloft, Yet life proceeds somewhere far away, in lush modest Villages where thrives no anxiety but odds and faith

  • Muse: Listen To The Talking Drum

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

  • Set My Sail

    I set my voyage to many fantasies; it’s another cold night I ask for a dance under this golden view of the sunset Let’s share the lovely moment of glee over this district, Each time we swerve under the dusk wind and twilight

  • 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…

  • Father’s Day

    If you have a father, cherish and love him Sober reflection Father’s day is a day of sober reflection for me. It’s a day I had tried fruitlessly to erase from my diary, but no one can ever run from his/her past. Fathers day reminds me of my father, late DSc Nduka Iroegbu. The dark…

  • Muse: Let

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

  • The Leopard Spirit 7

    Papa said I had to be vital to attend the following 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 exercised seriously. The moonlight night tales occur once in a fortnight; sometimes, they may be delayed, especially during…

  • Poem: The Brook

    Pollution to the Human Mind I do think that living in large towns for a long time can constitute pollution to the simple human mind. Each time I return to the countryside, I feel a mix of vibrant and enthusiastic energy. Living in dry cities drains me fast. I could try to live in one…

  • 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

  • Muse: Dance For Me

    Dance for me, dear child, Twist and turn, hold my hand, Make a loop, see stars spin around And let’s wish this bliss lasts forever Image from Masaka kids

  • Quote: Light

    The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it

  • 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.…

  • Lover’s Tryst

    Shadows of trees cast upon earth Evening birds call to wandering day It’s time for lovers to meet for a tryst

  • 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

  • Wade

    I wade through this slow current,Touch of loose sand on my feet,And many songs of the wild forestDrop lyrics that get me elate

  • Rhyme: Play or Labour

    Make Hay While It Shines I’ve written this short rhyme for kids and teens. It came to me when I remembered the story I read as a school kid—the tale of lazy hoppers and busy ants. The ants were seen as losers because they had no time for frivolities. Indeed, the ant clan spent most…

  • Dialogue With The Storyteller 1

    Entry Of The Storyteller Storyteller: Ah, it’s a monstrously cold evening. Hurry, take a seat closer to the fireside, warm your hands and wait for the night’s tale. I may tell stories of love, adventure, life’s lessons, and that of the animal world. Remember, these stories serve to teach the ways of life. It has…

  • Bridges

    What more is marvelous, To bring cultures together, To bring worlds to an embrace To bring land over water?

  • These Highlands, Her People – My Muse

    Gold from daylight is upon my glass window Her warmth is pure, a dew upon the fine green grass If sun flies parade, why then the empty front yards, Oh – a horde of vampires trolling the townlet in disguise Two giant lizards quarrel over a weary worm I have seen the mother hen busy…

  • Drench Me

    I love the rain Rain! Drench me Let me catch Those drops To tell how Much I love thee

  • Poem: Hear The Clouds

    The Clouds are Angry Dear friends, as I write this, it’s raining cats and dogs out there and goodness, the cloud is very angry. Have you read the tale of the angry cloud who flooded the earth, whom he accused of stealing his wife? If you haven’t, don’t worry. I’ll tell you about it another…

  • When Waterfalls Sing

    I told trees of your songs and they are jealous, When you drop, birds and the wild stop to listen, To hear you sing a melody from the long fall And watch you wash your garment on the rush below

  • Tradition of Greeting

    In African fables and tales, it’s believed that people have met with good luck just by greeting strangers Welcome to the beautiful morning of June 1st, 2021. By African tradition, it’s formal to say greetings to anyone encountered on the way. Some cultures consider it taboo not to say greetings to people (especially the aged).…