Oke’s Musings: Poetry, People and Places

Category: folklore

  • Lullaby: Tale of the young Shepherdess

    I will tell you a rhyme of the shepherdess who loved her sheep, She lives in the country and could sing her community to sleep Twinkle went stars nested far up the pregnant black sky, When black clouds float, the gathering rain storm sigh, “It will rain, but it might wait a little,” the young…

  • Amuse: Tomato Poem

    Today I met this round twins, sumptuous red fruit By the garden they grew, so I’ll make a muse for it. 1. Hanging down hopelessly as their weight was a clear burden, Close to a busy ant hole, where ants traversed without care, Their redness portray the sun’s ire but they seem quite unperturbed I…

  • Amuse: African Ostrich

    1. To you my feathery friend I write In greying fields your fur I sight Dangling by your sides are wings, A tall neck, from which you may sing 2. Caw caw, caw caw are your favourite words The wind is your friend, the soil your playground, The shrub is home, to it you rest…

  • Home: Africa

    High up above the hills of Africa, the dark-winged clouds of the night were still folded above the village and surrounding valley. Man and the domestic animals that were his slept. But the antelope of the forest and the small fleet-footed gazelle were wide awake. In a short time, early morning dew descends from ancient…

  • Love knows no colour

    Love knows no pink, no blue, no colour; it knows no creed, no silence, no mumblings, no religion or association. It will learn nothing that brings shame or pain or hurt to others and one’s environment. Love preys on no one, it knows no greed and no self. Like fresh leaves falling quietly away from…

  • Diary of a Village Boy: The Leopard Spirit 9 (The White Man)

    Dada came back looking exhausted and defeated. He hung a tied piece of wrapper across his left shoulder and chewed slowly on bitter cola. He held a yellow palm frond in his left palm as he walked into our compound. From my room I watched him march straight to his hut without speaking to anyone.…

  • A Kind Story 2

    I received this story from a friend and thought I should share with you. Folake, a primary school teacher, was transferred to a different school and immediately appointed as a class teacher of a class five class. On her first day in her class, she noticed that a boy named Kola was different from the…

  • Diary of a Village Boy: The Leopard Spirit 8 (Stubborn Nene)

    That morning before the early hunters left their homes for the forest, Dada was already on his way to Ndi-Ikele to welcome the priest, newly arrived from Trinidad and Tobago. It was breezy and cloudy that morning, it seemed it would rain any moment. Trees, especially the palm took to joyful procession when I stepped…

  • Boss Vs Leader (Images)

    Start a blog here.

  • Grateful Christian

    l feel Your warmth Jehovah The peace and comfort You gave Now sunshine through my curtain, Strings of beautiful colours I see Oh Jehovah, You’re Awesome The skies blue cloud stand at ease You stand out, You’re Handsome! The love I feel, undescribable The life I’ve, gracefully blessed You loved me to love others My…

  • Life’s pretty hue

    I speak without many words For all I say is but a fraction of my thoughts I find no perfect name (s) In there, in my mind where all are soft So when I sit without my human friends I watch Nature turn to pretty painting, As I fed stray ants my soft bread And…

  • Since I met you

    Many times I told myself that love is but a lie It comes into a life and leaves without a trace But since I met you, I feel more ambience; The way you make me do things I do, The way you smile and cherish life so Start a blog here.

  • If I do love you

    If I do love you I would make me a green hut at your gates Drum and call upon your name I would of your virtues write long poems Sing them in the dead of the night So it sounds among the ancient hills With Echo, the talkative spirit of the air Start a stunning…

  • Poetry from Skies

    There was poetry before we learned to write Awesome rhythm rendered as a strong wind might lyrics penned down by clouds, as such And when singing, green vegetation bows There was poetry before we learned to hear Drums that tender soft beats, far but near Brief gaiety across the heavens Heard passion when it stills…

  • Wattle by Robin Bliss

    Wattle blossom, Wattle yellow Makes me feel kinda mellow With your flowers, brilliant bright Fills my soul with much delight Saffron, citron and festive gold Buttercup and colours bold And so I loiter on my way In your presence I would stay Yes your sweet scent laden breeze Sets my soul and mind at ease…

  • African childhood Memories

    I long for my childhood days in rural Africa, To fill my lungs with morning air descending from hills And to till farmland that stretch into sunset Golden sunrise always kept everyone speechless And when birds welcome the day with choruses Sweet breezes gather to battle the sun warmth Infants may resume their wailing culture…

  • To First Heartbreaks

    I loved you even when you won’t feel the same way. I wasn’t your kind of man, you said. So I felt this heart break slowly and finally swallowed the bitter pill. I tried to mask my feelings but my mind laugh at my effort. So I took a break to think things through. But…

  • Sing with me

    Sing with me Let’s talk lyrics only known to poetry, Dance with me Let’s swirl upon night’s quiet rhythm. Start your blogging here.

  • Let go, completely

    I had many fights as I grew up. Most times, I was the one bullied and had no option but to push back. Then I thought retaliation was the best option. I could match word for word or fist for fist. Thought of forgiveness only came to me when I let it. But each time…

  • Seeker

    I see a golden ray Giving light from afar Up the lonely road Near the cliffs edge Where leaves fall in circles, Caring about nothing As they fall, happily And the skies not seen But a streak of sun light Filing through waving trees Now and then, Rodents of tall trees, Curious about the passerby…

  • Another Evening Storm with the Rainmaker

    … And there’s another rainstorm brewing over this town tonight. Out in the cold street, light bulbs glow here and there, but meshed in grim embrace of darkness itself. I feel the wind lick the skin on my forearm when I hold the curtain to see the rainstorm. There’s a strange but sweet smell, of…

  • Quiet Lakeside

    Once upon a quiet lakeside, Where blue clouds stay, With very thick fog dwell, And tall Figs hide in them Like towers, Over a host of colours, Painting down the valley When the sun rays fall And the forest below So all may turn to gold. Clouds are not left behind They shine in the…

  • Ever Searching

    Ever searching for the wor(l)d… Start a stunning WordPress blog here.

  • Muse: Thoughts

    Nothing gives me exceptional hope But thoughts of coming home to you You can start a blog like this one.

  • Niger River

    Have you seen the snake river That flow through the Savannah? The sun ray may fall on it, And her whiteness woo the eyes Hippos and crocs love it, River pythons dwell on it A beckoning waterfall up the rocks Where Mother Nature sing loudly, Always as she wash her garments On the clean waters…

  • Reflection: African Dream

    I reflect and dream of you Africa, and hope to see Peace, Equality and Freedom work for you and for all… …and to travel through many African countryside, to smell coffee grown in a valley in an Ethiopian village, to dance with the Masai and roar boldly with Serengeti Lions when they call the sunrise.…

  • Dream of Sunset

    I dream of sailing with the sunset, To listen while wild winds whistle, And watch silver clouds gather over me Start your blogging here.

  • Messenger

    Kokookoroko kokorokoro A greeting called from afar The children ran out excited As if the message was for them But then who knows? Heads up, listen attentively Komkom korookom Another beat rang out Pushing the mild hit Into the ears of the heaviest village sleeper ‘Oh how cute, it is one of the King’s messengers’…

  • Tradition: Breaking the Kola nut

    Onye wetara oji wetara ndu (Igbo) He who brings Kola brings life… Kola nut is a symbol of hospitality and friendship in Nigeria. While other food can be cooked, the Kola nut needs no special preparation before presentation. It’s a bitter fruit of the Kola tree¶, grown all over tropical Africa. In Igbo land, Kola…

  • Beautiful News

    Honestly, there are beautiful news announced by nature out there. Focus on them, enjoy the beauty and nature around you. Good morning and have a great day! Start blogging here.

  • Wilderness by Robin Bliss

    Old Sol is low in the sky, drifting down Resting in the meager filtered shade On this hillock we can see the distant horizon Before us stretches the limitless plane Almost totally flat except for a Tor Standing stark and naked ebony Silhouetted against the brilliant firmament Protruding towards the heavens,rocky and rugged And the…

  • Forgiveness

    When you forgive people the greatest beneficiary is you. Yes, some pain is grave and some injuries are bloody, but no matter how gravely hurt you are, never forget that: Between you and your next level is a betrayal. Don’t worry if people finally understand you, release them, let go and let God. The secret…

  • Good morning Africa

    Thank you for reminding me of your beauty Africa. #Africanimages Start a stunning WordPress blog here.

  • Self Reflection 30: Wisdom

    Men should see you and marvel on how you do things. How you handle your time, money, friends and relationships and enemies, manage people and your lifestyle. Wisdom is a spirit. Wisdom giveth life to those that have it.

  • African Sunrise

    African sunrise. What is more beautiful? Have fun with life. Enjoy simple things.

  • Follower of the Month

    Hello friends, It’s a tough time, isn’t it? Hang on, things will make sense soon. I just had this thought and reasoned it may be fun too. I’m going to write and dedicate a poem to a follower as a way of saying thank you. Since I can’t afford to give books, flowers or other…

  • Reflection: Rainy Evening

    I used to think I was a rainmaker, but there’s one big storm out there, and I’m scared of it—a distraction for me, though, which I love. Recently, I worried so much about nothing. I wondered if the world would ever be the same again after Covid-19. But my faith will not worry at all.…

  • Weekend Wish

    I give you this green heart 💚. It’s a symbol of life💚 and abundance💚, of contentment and gratitude for another fine day. That’s my wish for you this sunny beautiful African morning.

  • Two Poems: Together we watch day end and my Dancer

    (1) TOGETHER WE WATCH DAY END Baobab and Palm are shelters, Glittering stars are my friends, Waterfalls and Lions, my brothers And together we watch day end. (2) MY DANCER I steal a glance when you dance Memories of pouting lips haunt me I dreamed of you and I once But wished it away if…

  • Muse: When there was Love

    When there was love I saw blue clouds, Clear like the sweet spring Leaping in joyful bounds

  • Tale of The Musk Rat

    Once upon a time In a land far, far away Where the forests were untamed And animals had clans and kingdoms There lived a young musk rat Who loved his mother so much And took good care of her He would go hunting for fruits And exotic vegetables from the forests And brought them home…

  • Motherland

    Envelope me in your warm embrace I’m safe, when I run to your open arms

  • Good Vibes

    These – my good vibes I give, to you My substance, my being, my happy self…

  • Traveler

    The traveler is like the sun Traversing the length of Earth Seeing people, and their cultures The traveler is a blast of wind Which blows hot and cold, And dust is his glad companion The traveler is like the compass Searching for the North pole, Seeking lands that come along The traveler is a fancy…

  • I’m a Shepherd

    I’m a shepherd, living all by myself Of course there are people all about But none share my believes and thought I dream away alone, such is my life Early mornings are my quiet times So I speak life to the day when I wake Hoping to see my reflection on the lake And to…

  • Folktale: The Tortoise and His Broken Shell

    Gather around friends. How was your day today? Good to know it was fine. Mine wasn’t bad either. I hope this breezy evening gives us more than this beautiful folktale I’m about to tell. Remember to note the morals that accompany it. I have also italicized the proverb in the story. Once upon a time,…

  • Colourful Beauty

    I could describe you with colours So I look to your pout, a rose patch, You blushed when our grey eyes met, Then a smile that reminds me of glee Now your pretty face reminds me of the sun, When she rise from the back of many hills Dragging her gold blanket before farms So…

  • 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 💙💚💜

  • Amuse: Pretty Tomatoes

    Sometimes I smirk at myself, They say I’m confused on what I feel, But if I gave a tomato stalk a hug Then maybe what they say is true I laugh at myself… When I arrest the kitchen Searching for raw tomatoes Which refused to grow in my garden I’m angry, don’t ask why, Not…