Oke’s Musings: Poetry, People and Places

Category: lifestyle

  • 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.

  • Ego

    Relationships often come to an end because of someone’s ego. Similarly, leaders’ egos have led countries to fight wars, causing innocent people to suffer and die needlessly. Sadly, in such wars, many soldiers who are people’s loved ones, such as husbands, wives, sons, and daughters, lose their lives as well. All this happens because people…

  • Learning To Say No

    How often do you say “no” to things that would interfere with your goals? Saying no to someone or something can be a tricky thing, especially when you are considerate of other’s feelings. However, learning to say no is necessary to keep a person from behaviors and lifestyles that can be harmful in the long…

  • Dance

    What could you do differently? I wish I could twirl and swirl precisely and rigorously to the beautiful rhythm in my soul. https://app.impact.com/secure/mediapartner/checklist/checklist-instance.ihtml?id=__9XpvYq1Sf0_skQuDpLLuQnDv3NE4u0lO#=_

  • Live in The Present

    Do you spend more time thinking about the future or the past? Why? I live in the present moment and try to make the most of it. I’m more productive, joyful, and grateful when I don’t worry about the past or the future. So I can say I’m in-between.

  • Egusi Soup

    Do you or your family make any special dishes for the holidays? Spicy, warm soups are delightful for me. Food is culture. Food is life, and I can go on dropping poetic lines about food. As a traditional person, I am a foodie who appreciates good food! I love traditional Igbo dishes like egusi, ede,…

  • Attitude

    What personality trait in people raises a red flag with you? Attitude changes everything For me the difference between good and bad is attitude. Consider the story of Abraham Lincoln below and the following reflection. Abraham’s Humble Story When Abraham Lincoln became the president of America, his father was a shoemaker. Naturally, egoistic people were…

  • August Reflection

    Let’s love and respect each other, that’s what the world needs at this point. It costs absolutely nothing to treat others the way we want to be treated.

  • Thoughts on Kindness

    Kindness, I say, will never get out of fashion. Small acts of kindness, like smiling and holding doors for others, can positively impact their day. Kindness doesn’t hold back. It is a true definition of love. While a lot may happen and things change, I advise not to take things and people for granted. Family…

  • Quote on Gratitude

    Gratitude erases negativity – Steve Harvey

  • Held by Ropes!

    Limits like fears are often just an illusion – Michael Jordan Limitations In my last post on African proverbs, we discussed how the eyes become useless when the mind is blind. In this short story below we will understand more about mental limitations. Held by Ropes! A gentleman was walking through an elephant camp and…

  • Depression

    The English dictionary defined depression as a state of mind producing serious, long-term lowering of enjoyment of life or inability to visualize a happy future. Many people experience this daily. Depression sucks out the joy and life of an individual even when the person is still living. Honestly, I think being sad is the youngest brother…

  • Quote: Helping Others

    Life’s support system is not one-laned; sometimes we need to be there for others too.

  • Quote: Power of Giving

    To receive, give

  • Harriet Tubman

    If you hear the dogs, keep going. If you see the torches in the woods, keep going. If there’s shouting after you, keep going. Don’t ever stop. Keep going. If you want a taste of freedom, keep going. Harriet Tubman Harriet Tubman (nicknamed Moses) was an African American born into slavery in Maryland, USA. She…

  • If Cards Tell Tales

    There are 52 cards in a deck and each one has a different story Judging Others People assume they know other people’s stories. So in their minds, they already judge people’s characters. Shrek, the 3D cartoon ogre, sadly affirmed that people judge even before getting to know him. This, of course, is because of his…

  • My Tiger Stripes By Njabulo N.

    Self-Esteem In a world full of racism, competition, and all manner of vices, I chose to care less about people’s opinions of me. Hence I wouldn’t let those take all of my attention. I don’t have the time to worry about what others say in regards to my race, complexion, height, or status. I won’t…

  • Perception

    Just as a man thinks, so is he Here’s an image that tells a story. Take a thorough look. What does this picture story tell you? In this image, a cat paints a picture of himself. To achieve this he observes himself from the mirror. On the mirror, which also represents how others perceive him,…

  • Seek

    Doors of opportunity are open to those who knock To discover a good idea, meet a special person, or develop a skill one must go searching. No one ever gets anything done doing nothing.

  • Live

    We assume that tomorrow will always be there None of us is promised tomorrow. So we have to decide what happens with our lives. We must choose what we react to, how we see the world and what our pain will be. Ignoring all superficial things people do is the first item in the healing…

  • Friends: A Loop That Never Ends

    Friends are family we chose for ourselves Today is the International Day of Friendship and I’ll like to share a little thought. We all have friends and they may come in different forms; fellow men or pets such as a dog, cat, horse, etc. Friendship is an ancient tradition, dating back to the earliest times.…

  • Windy Music

    There uphill, music from the wind Arrive upon paths walked by the kind It’s a hymn for the simple-minded Piped in the day and late in the night The whistling wind conducts, From uphill the melody went Wandering with a rhythm so soft That the wild is attentive to it The dusk breeze is a…

  • Anger

    Anger is one word shorter than danger Anger Anger is terrible. It leaves regret in its wake. Although it’s normal to get irritated by people’s actions and words, by situations, and even by trivial details, we should always be mindful of uncontrolled anger. I got this short story from a devotional booklet. The story demonstrates…

  • 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.…

  • 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…

  • 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

  • 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…

  • Rhyme: Pensive

    What shall we say Now at this delicate moment of May That we stand on this wet clay Watching the Sun leave the day? Now the leaves fall and fade In the streams, we quietly wade And to our past, we solemnly bade Welcoming the future which the Creator made The dark clouds grow and…

  • Earth Day: Doing What Is Right

    Every day should be designated as Earth’s Day Indeed, I acknowledge that today and every other day should be proclaimed as Earth’s Day. Not just as the planet which harbours life, but as a reminder to treat it with more respect. There are so many ways to treat the earth right. But one thing is…

  • First Night Rain

    This night rain flatter my townShe sneaked up our curtainsAnd let her waves wrestle with themThe breeze blew out the candlelightsWhen the thunder howl in his deep voiceEach time the lightning appearsBe sure to wait for some rumblingYet the downpour clapping outsideJust by the dark and slippery balconyTries to let the pata-pata cover all sound…

  • The Virus called Racism

    Indeed no one deserves to be discriminated against based on race, ideologies, beliefs, and personality. Unfortunately, mankind and his civilization had conquered or are in the process of conquering all kinds of viruses except the greatest of them – racism. If love traveled to another land Then I saw it fly on the wings of…

  • Happy Mother’s Day

    It’s Mother’s Day in my local church, Methodist Church Nigeria. I had published this piece a year ago and here is a revised one. My words alone can’t express my warm feelings for mothers. I had been raised by amazing women who taught and still teach me in one way or another. This amazing gift…

  • Reminiscence by Peniel Gifted

    Today, my wings remind me of Africa, of how she would curl Up her birdikins in lonely colours. My eyes running through the four Walls of her pigeonhole, her father’s Angels, wrapped in China Pink’s glitters. Africa made me, yes Africa made me Like the Adobe Lily in her holy Oasis Salty waters flow from…

  • Reflection: Keeping The Right Company

    Don’t let the world dim your lights. I was just a teenager when I learned that the kind of friends and acquaintance one keeps could either grow or retard him. It took me many years to accept that I can’t support anyone who doesn’t want my sincere help and that life is like a bus…

  • Time

    Make hay while it shines This talent of mine… This is one talent I find solace in. It’s an avenue to paint my heart on ink, to play with the soul of nature and record lovely and beautiful memories. In my mind I create a happy and peaceful world; where I live in fine images…

  • Quotes on Helping Others

    1. Nothing makes life sweeter than making people happy. 2. The people you help today become your soldiers in the battle of life tomorrow. 3. To invest in properties is good, but to invest in people is far better. 4. To make money, make people. 5. Your greatest trophies are the tears you wipe away…

  • Poetry: I’ll Wait

    Love can be crazy Yet I am amused I try to figure the words You pelt me with, When we spoke of love It was zenith of all, everything Days and nights It fell in and out Maybe this was right, I look farther away Towards sunrise A pint of love on my breast And…

  • Beirut

    Beautiful Beirut and AUB I’m writing about this lovely Mediterranean city because of my connection and attachment to it. I’ve seen several YouTube videos of it’s beautiful landscape and neighborhood. Beirut combines the tranquil setting of ancient history with the thrill of a modern city. I followed some Beirut based vlog channels and it’s always…

  • Opinion: Leadership Woes

    Admitting imperfections are great ways to becoming a better person, people and leaders. City of Talents and Resilient people I was born and raised in Ogbor hill, a suburb of Aba, a city in Southern Nigeria. Aba is known for its industry and export of labour to many Nigerian cities and overseas. The city is…

  • Keeping Valuable Relationships

    Sometimes those who crown kings don’t look like kings and may never become kings but they can help one wear the crown. A short story There was a poor man who wrote a book at the age of 40 and decided to launch it on his birthday. He had no money to fund the launching…

  • Story: Be there for someone

    An old man once told me the story of how as a young man, his mother used to ask him: “What is the most important part of your body?” Through the years, he would take a guess at what he thought was the correct answer. First time, his answer was: “The ears.” The mother replied:…

  • Quotes on Unity

    When spiders unite they can tie down a lion – Ethiopian Proverb. None of us is as smart as all of us – Ken Blanchard.

  • Mechanics of Savings: a Christian perspective

    Mechanics of Savings and Financial Intermediation Savings as described by financial analysts are the portion of income which are not used for consumption expenditures. They are referred to as investments, because huge portions of such savings in financial institutions constitute the capital extended to businesses, governments, individuals and other entities as loans. This is done…

  • 8 August: Birthday Wish

    Birthdays are rare They come once in a year Unique Birthday: A set of Eights! Ah, it’s today. 8th day of 8th month of the year 2020. I usually write poems or stories to celebrate but this year’s birthday is unique. So instead of a poem I’ll muse about the actual numbers that made my…

  • Happy Belated Friendship Day

    – Friends are family we chose for ourselves. Didn’t forget I didn’t forget about the World Friends Day. I do write about friendship because it’s dear to me. I was extremely busy with personal and family errands. I also volunteer online for a company based in North America, and so had little time to pen…

  • Legacy: Larry or Harry?

    Legacy Life is dynamic. It changes each time we look at it from different perspectives. This is a story you might know. It tells of two opposites: selfishness and generosity, greed and contentment. Larry and Harry Larry and Harry, two homeless men were given a chance to travel to a third world country on an…

  • Abraham Lincoln’s Story

    Abraham’s Humble Story When Abraham Lincoln became the president of America, his father was a shoemaker. Naturally, egoistic people were very much offended that a shoemaker’s son should become the president. On the first day, as Abraham entered to give his inaugural address, just in the middle, one man stood up. He was a very…

  • Modern Scramble for Africa

    A Bitter Pill What comes to your mind when you hear about Africa? Savages. Poverty. War ravaged. Disease. Uneducated? Let’s face it, Africa is what it is today because ‘the world’ contributed in keeping it so. We’re only poor by the world’s standard. This is a bitter pill. Another Scramble for Africa? The economic hustle…

  • Path to Harvest – Poem

    Joy is fruit blossomed in the heart of farmers Their smiles are meshed with toil and sweat, Patch of earth print upon their faces And on shoulders they carry huge baskets Marching towards the fields, when it is harvest… Fields are ripe, and trees are heavy with fruit Birds sing from tree tops, monkeys dance…