Oke’s Musings: Poetry, People and Places

Category: culture/tradition

  • 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…

  • 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…

  • Self Reflection 20: Dream

    If you can dream it, you can do it _Walt Disney

  • 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.

  • Dream

    You came as a Dream to me This Dream has made me beautiful

  • Self Reflection 17: Companionship

    Surround yourself with worthy people. Your network is your net worth.

  • 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…

  • Self Reflection 16: Look beyond

    Look beyond the mirror called self.

  • Self Reflection 15: Compassion

    Consideration for others is the basis of a good life, a good society.

  • 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

  • Folklore: The Straw, the Coal and the Bean from Gutenberg Project

    In a village dwelt a poor old woman, who had gathered together a dish of beans and wanted to cook them. So she made a fire on her hearth and that it might burn the quicker, she lighted it with a handful of straw. When she was emptying the beans into the pan, one dropped…

  • Self Reflection 14: Courage

    Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage. –Lao Tzu

  • Wait on the Stars

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

  • The Magic in a Smile

    A smile is the prettiest thing you can wear. Let me tell you a story of how my experience got me an intern position in a leading Nigerian bank. In 2010, I was privileged to sit for a recruitment test in my school. The test was supervised by representatives of Diamond Bank Nigeria PLC, now…

  • 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. ***

  • Self Reflection 13: Happiness

    Fill yourself with joy. Let your inner self radiate true happiness.

  • Homeland

    I love you homeland

  • Another visit to Ovim’s Hills

    If you encounter tablelands and rocks, hills and valleys, waterfalls and streams, abundant trees and virgin forests, all set in one quiet countryside, you will agree that Ovim is really blessed. Ovim is situated on ancient hills, a beautiful place for camping and outdoor fun. Each time I visit I get healed by her beautiful…

  • Self Reflection 12: Patience

    The law of sowing and reaping may take time to manifest sometimes, but it will surely come to pass.

  • Music in me

    They say you are the reason why they sing, I say you are the song in my heart.

  • Muse: Family

    Things may change but we begin and end with the family.

  • Cling to Hope

    I cling to hope She woke slowly But I must wait

  • Reflection

    I wonder why we, sophisticated humans find it hard to love. If we all can take a lesson or two from ants, the world may just be as peaceful as the anthill. I saw on Facebook a video of people being tormented and executed somewhere in Asia and Christians in Northern Nigeria and a human…

  • Self Reflection 11: Feed your Faith

    Feed your faith, starve your doubts.

  • Self Reflection 10: Don’t worry

    Worry gives a small thing a bigger shadow. Feed your faith and don’t be anxious!

  • International Women’s Day

    I wish everyone a happy International Women’s Day! Remember, education is still the best empowerment.

  • Muse: I choose you

    I’ll choose you any day; today and tomorrow

  • Dealing with Anger and Frustration

    I compiled what worked for me in dealing with anger and frustration, I hope they work for others too. The first thing I do when I’m angry is to walk away. I hold back the urge to argue, reply or fight back even when I’m clearly right. When I’m angry I ignore the offender and…

  • Self Reflection 7: Plan

    Plans not executed are as good as failure.

  • Memories

    You remind me of home, far away, Fine memories I cherish each day

  • Self Reflection 6: Watch and Pray

    Never relax your guard: watch and pray.

  • Homecoming

    Mama is waiting The hills too! The road is slow I hear her call… I’m coming mother, I’m coming home!

  • Self Reflection 5: Be contented

    There’s nothing wrong in helping, giving away roses, gifts and love. People may take these for granted, be contented to being the good person you are.

  • Self Reflection 4: Gratitude

    Gratitude is an attitude that creates doors in walls and hearts.

  • First rain

    First rain, Strong wind, We celebrate The long wait, And sniff the scent Off the wet earth

  • Self Reflection 2: Love yourself

    Love yourself enough to take the actions required for your happiness.

  • Diary of a Village Boy: The Leopard Spirit 6 (Another Attack)

    That night I had another attack. It was midnight and everybody was settled for some sleep. The moon was white, there were no stars and the evening brought mild breezes. Wild dogs and wolves howled from the hilly distance and the night was deafened in their terrifying noise. Night was nobody’s friend those days. Travelers…

  • Muse: Even Though…

    Let me hold your hands, look into your eyes & sing, For even though I fail sometimes, I love you still

  • Happy New Month

    Here’s to wish you all a fruitful month! Let’s march on to greater fruitfulness, open doors, good health and blessings. ❤💚💜💛💙

  • African Folklore

    Folklore are tales, legends, superstitions of a particular ethnic population. In Igbo culture and other African societies, story telling is unique, such that it is a passage to transmit the tradition of a place from one generation to another. These tales convey the history, ancient messages and old knowledge. They teach morals and virtues to…

  • The Rainmaker’s Tales: Beginning

    When I am not making the rain fall To flood the village and farms And to make the river banks overflow Then I will be watching the glittering stars And talking to her, the night and moon Well, the night is never complete without a tale And this is for the sleepy little ones, I…

  • Take a Break

    Do you feel overwhelmed by life’s stress? Then it’s time to take a break. Here are some recommended tips to stay relaxed: 1. Take a nap: It’s obvious that our bodies are designed for rest. So enjoying some sleep is a good way to relieve stress. 2. Water, water, and more water: Water is life.…

  • Anger Vs Love

    A friend sent this to me on WhatsApp and I thought of sharing with you. While a man was polishing his new car, his 6 year old son picked up a stone and scratched lines on the side of the car. In anger, the man took the child’s hand and hit it many times; not…

  • The Rainmaker’s Tales 2

    Now it was tradition that young men Cut wood in the neighboring forest Before they are allowed to chose a maiden There was no axe in the town and nearby hamlets So young men did desperate things, Mirtle was a young man, deformed in one hand, Humbly dull, but very courageous Youth of the hamlet,…

  • True Leadership

    Earlier this evening, I overheard the women talking—my mother, aunts, some helpers, and my little sister. From my room window, I listened to their discussion about the funeral and everything they did to make it successful. Usually, I don’t eavesdrop on women’s conversations, but I couldn’t help but listen to this one. I admire their…