Category: folklore

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… Continue reading Amuse: African Ostrich

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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… Continue reading Home: Africa

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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… Continue reading Love knows no colour

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

Papa 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.… Continue reading Diary of a Village Boy: The Leopard Spirit 9 (The White Man)

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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… Continue reading A Kind Story 2

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

That morning before the early hunters left their homes for the forest, Papa 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… Continue reading Diary of a Village Boy: The Leopard Spirit 8 (Stubborn Nene)

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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… Continue reading Grateful Christian

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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… Continue reading Life’s pretty hue

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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… Continue reading If I do love you

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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… Continue reading Poetry from Skies

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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… Continue reading Wattle by Robin Bliss

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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… Continue reading African childhood Memories

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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… Continue reading To First Heartbreaks

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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… Continue reading Seeker

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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… Continue reading Another Evening Storm with the Rainmaker

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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… Continue reading Quiet Lakeside

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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… Continue reading Niger River

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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.… Continue reading Reflection: African Dream

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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’… Continue reading Messenger

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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… Continue reading Tradition: Breaking the Kola nut

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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… Continue reading Wilderness by Robin Bliss

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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… Continue reading Forgiveness

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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… Continue reading Follower of the Month

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Reflection: Rainy Evening

I used to think I was a rainmaker, but there’s one heavy 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.… Continue reading Reflection: Rainy Evening

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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… Continue reading Two Poems: Together we watch day end and my Dancer

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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… Continue reading Tale of The Musk Rat

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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… Continue reading Traveler

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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… Continue reading I’m a Shepherd

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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,… Continue reading Folktale: The Tortoise and His Broken Shell

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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… Continue reading Colourful Beauty

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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… Continue reading Amuse: Pretty Tomatoes

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Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe

Things Fall Apart is a novel written by Nigerian author Chinua Achebe. Published in 1958, its story chronicles pre-colonial life in the south-eastern part of Nigeria and the arrival of the Europeans during the late nineteenth century. It is seen as the archetypal modern African novel in English, one of the first to receive global… Continue reading Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe

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