Nature – Oke’s Musings: Poetry, People and Places

Albuquerque’s Night Rain

The sky churns with dark, rumbling clouds, and lightning streaks behind my window curtain illuminate the night with its brief, electric glow. These raindrops are accompanied by soft claps of thunder reverberating through the air, adding to the symphony of the rain’s soft drumming. It’s my first night of rain in Albuquerque, and my excitement… Continue reading Albuquerque’s Night Rain

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Tumbleweeds & Roadrunners

On a vibrant spring morning, I spotted a tumbleweed joyfully dancing down the road, carefree and spirited. There’s something amusing about watching these whimsical plants as they roll along. They seem like playful phantoms—hollow yet surprisingly sturdy. At times, it feels as though they are at the mercy of the wind, but often, it seems… Continue reading Tumbleweeds & Roadrunners

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Diary of A Village Boy: The Leopard Spirit 12 (Tales by Moonlight 2)

I stood up and tried to follow the figure. The wind began to blow, and I felt it was calling to me for some reason. Navigating through the crowd was difficult. Some kids were bothering me by tugging at my feet, while teenagers watched me with disdain nearby because I was blocking their view. The… Continue reading Diary of A Village Boy: The Leopard Spirit 12 (Tales by Moonlight 2)

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Muse: Morning

The morning gently caresses the drowsy sleeper, awakening them with the tender symphony of nature. The melodious trills of birds mingle with the soft whines of reptiles, while the relentless buzz of insects fills the air like an unseen orchestra harmonizing with the rustle of green foliage. A subtle fragrance of damp earth interlaces with… Continue reading Muse: Morning

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Muse: Moonlit Night

The moonlit night usually creates different images in the clouds, both in its glow and in the minds of those observing it. I am a passionate observer of moonlight against the evening clouds. It reminds me of the moonlit nights filled with folktales from my home. The moon and its light are tangible aspects of… Continue reading Muse: Moonlit Night

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Nature’s Craftwork

I took this image two nights before Christmas and was amazed by the white cloud resembling a blue whale. I could see various shapes against the charcoal-blue horizon, but the whale was the most remarkable. I couldn’t stop admiring the magnificent view. Do you see how the tree in the center looks like a Christmas… Continue reading Nature’s Craftwork

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Quote: Nature

We are tenants, and nature is our landlord. No one treats their landlord wrongly – Oke Iroegbu

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Muse: Moonlight 2

You beautiful sphere of light I behold your face once again Fast falls the evening tide And you remind me of home That to everything that has a beginning There must someday come an ending That home calls from a long-distance That I can only wait and listen to its call I see you, mythical… Continue reading Muse: Moonlight 2

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Wildlife/Environmental Conservation

What alternative career paths have you considered or are interested in? I love wildlife. I guess I have been curious about life since childhood. I could watch National Geographic, Animal Planet, and other wildlife shows from daybreak till sunset. That’s how much love I had for the wild. I think this also influenced my attitude… Continue reading Wildlife/Environmental Conservation

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Hilly Berkeley

Dear friends, The image above is of wood in Berkeley, California. And yes, there are deer and wild cats in the woods. In such an environment, reptiles – snakes and lizards are abundant. There are numerous bird species. Some species are new to me or I have read about them in books or seen them… Continue reading Hilly Berkeley

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Night Poem: Brewing Storm

Dark cloudsAnd lightningSilhouettesDogs barkBurdened roofsWary inhabitantsDancing curtainsUnruly candlelightNeighbors yawnFaint pillow talksWhistling windChilly breezesAll waitingFor a brewing storm

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Daybreak

Getting up to faint bird tweetsWhen golden shine sifts through curtainsAnd morning airs – so delightful and swiftWander through this little town I heard the older folk greetThey talk of night’s heavy rainBut as the storm is now pastA mild drizzle cheers the lawn Sunlight warms my room and townEach cosy day is a blessing… Continue reading Daybreak

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Twinkling Stars

There are few stars out thereTwinkling across the horizonTo shine a special light uponMan and hills he calls home

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Africa: Golden Sunrise

I never knew of a morning in Africa when I woke up that I was not happy – Ernest Hemingway

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Rumbling Clouds

The rumbling clouds talk to meCracking through the dark skiesSprinkling raindrops on my stepsTwilight emerges above the skiesThe quiet evening brings about A batch of cold wind & shower

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Sheldrick Wildlife Trust

Sheldrick Wildlife Trust is going a great job in wildlife conservation in Kenya. Check out their website to see what they do or support them: https://links.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/

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The Lions Sleeps Tonight

Indeed, whenever I see images of sleeping lions, Mariam Makeba’s song starts playing in my mind. But don’t let those cute and innocent looking sleeping cats fool you! They would be awake at the slightest noise. Now hush! It’s a good night for me and the lions! 😴🦁

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The Night is Pregnant

Now it’s raining again! The clouds quietly gather For Night is heavy with child And ready to yield pots of water! Lightning draw caricatures Across the blackened skies Frightening all who are awake These expectant clouds Or mischievous lightning Knew to keep heavy sleepers awake

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Lion and Safari Park

African big cats are unbelievable, I could watch this video from ‘The Lion and Safari Park’ all day! Lions are my favourite big cats. When you hear this in person it awakens a type of primal fear in you that really can’t be put into words. Come let’s roar together! 🦁

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Pic: Ostriches

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Pic: Herd of Elephants

A herd of African Elephants

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My Brook – Oko’pia

From home in quiet hamlets, I hear your surgeTelling stories when you pass through the roaring current,Through white clouds painted by sound sunlight,And greener footpaths, heading towards the waterfallsI sit on the banks, to hear rumours of the wild woods,Surrounding trees and happy birds blow me kisses,Farther off, children pick palm fruits and rocksSeeking a… Continue reading My Brook – Oko’pia

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Happy Stars

Happy stars are outBeige dusk, moonlightOn pathways brightKept in the looming mistWindy evening gustBlow out on the hamletOverlooking hills & sunsetBrewer of legends & myths,A sleepy moment of twilightAnd fascinating one for that

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Night Rain

Fresh air stirRaindrops fallHard roof drums

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Fade

Nothing compares to speeches made by the eyes,When memories tumble into faint sighsWhen this glamour fade before morningOn fallen tree leaves, where once we played,A reminder of sadness – the demise of a unionOne which was once but could not be seen

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Night Poem: Bald Moon

Misty tasteBald moonshineLonely silhouettes

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When Night Is No Man’s Friend

The dark know many a fury When from the back of hills Shadows, fog play on paths When the moon is weary And the cold grip of rebuff, Of howling, unholy laughter Frighten the quiet evening, Sending chills down spines The path is hidden in smog Throwing over the hamlet A blanket of fear and… Continue reading When Night Is No Man’s Friend

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Flower| Robin Bliss

Wandering slowly down the streetMoving dead beat weary feetWanted to go out,get some airSo exhausted, as I can bearSeeing flattened wooden benchSitting on it makes some senseResting now my tired bonesWith a sigh and quiet groans Thinking I’ve had enough of lifeWith this illness so much strifeThen I saw a flower growingHow it got there… Continue reading Flower| Robin Bliss

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When Woodlands Sing

The Earth has music for those who listen – William Shakespeare Now the woodland singMany voices play out,Zithering cricketsHissing reptilesTweeting birdsAnd snorting boars All incessant criesFrom hawks and egretsThe sky an airy circus,Below squirrels and rodentsForage through tree rootsWhen beloved nuts drop Water from rapidsThrow fine curtainsDown on dull rocksWhen the rush reachPebbles hurdle jointlyAnd… Continue reading When Woodlands Sing

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Morning Aura

This dawn, the mist,Evoked a modest tone The smell of the lush forestOver nature’s fair kindness

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Memories

The night is young and lonelyStars keep the herder companyMoonlight, of hazy illumination It reminds him of his dear one

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Morning

Windy fog, glad yawns,Up the hill, a quiet townMisty paths, bird tunes,All, green forest’s muse

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Tree Leaves Fall

Tree leaves fall Happy loops Dreamy wind

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Lullaby: Starry Night

Lovely starry nightOne of bright galaxiesOf breezy wind & cold.Lonely against the dampMists are to the villageSo pathways are hidden.In the solitary darknessAre branches of the IrokoStanding like lonely knights,Waiting to stab their victim.Let the huts in the valleyEngage in tonight’s fantasyA momentous time, a lullaby

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Even Trees Talk || Arunav Barua

Hearing is not akin to listening, I heardI hear, do I also listen to the talking bird?One day is spent as another, only free nowFrom the monotonous repeat, tell me how… Give me a canvass that is as white as snowPut in some colours, pictures that reveal, showThe way to a heart is through words… Continue reading Even Trees Talk || Arunav Barua

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A Fierce Harmattan

Sandy sheepfold Harsh harmattan Thrusting dry wind Down the mountain

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I See The Morning Sun

I heard the morning sun Sing to the village below Through cream-coloured curtains Her poems echo some moments ago I see sunflowers dance by the roadside Throwing sweet fumes up the sky I see a dried crust of loose brown earth Colour pastures were several termites Dwell, in broken, collective settlements I see the strong… Continue reading I See The Morning Sun

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Haiku: Bright Evening

Bright eveningSparrows sing,Lovers listen

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Dance With Me

Would you dance with me under the impressive glare of moonlight?

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Mist

Mist like smokeDoused upon hutsMessenger of earthThat cling to hills Most, the color of palm wineWell gathering on mustachesOf men, old and youngA cover for wary rodents Mist, nature’s courierImpostor to manySteering to paths unchartedWhere fortune or failure lay

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Love Poem: Three Words

Three are my words, Painted on my band A colourful hue Remind me, I love you

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Moonlight

I behold the nightfall across the dark blue clouds I watch evening carry desires of men waiting to unfold I enjoy the sensation of the imminent weekend Drums of merrymaking sound miles off, Cackling, singing, every bit of mirthful noise However, the shepherd sits to enjoy his time alone I hear deep-voiced frogs calling out… Continue reading Moonlight

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Harmattan Has Come!

Harmattan arrived grandly With the smell of burning grass, Dry nostrils and painted faces Harmattan made land arid So mud is now waterproof, And men without a sense of smell The thick fog of smoke and dust Greet the land that once knew rain Speak of her cold art: dusty faces & feet

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A Shepherd’s Song

Tree roots are my favorite seat, mushrooms are cushionsOccasionally my thoughts drown in the music of sheep and birdsLight-colored birds fly above me, up in the trees they gatherTo watch the meeting of white wool spread across the green grassSome bolder birds come down to join the massive banquet,Picking stray insects that fled the grass… Continue reading A Shepherd’s Song

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Love’s Memory

For love’s memory I cherish this dose, This care, your beauty, Every time the sun rose I remember this feeling

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Muse: Love

Love is when we stare into the eyes of each other When we smile for no reason but each others warmth It gives me pleasure to love you, masoyina And I cherish the thought of it every sunset **** Masoyina*: Hausa language for my love.

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Last November Rains

When it’s time for the rain to journey away, the days turn gloomy and nights cold. In a few days, the rainy season will be over. We don’t know when but the older folk says it’s almost time. Nowadays the rain falls every evening. It starts with a sudden change in the weather, like a… Continue reading Last November Rains

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Fresh Start

Waking sun reminds of onsetsFor the past is kept without,So light dew may bless the moment

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Night Poem: Setting Sun

Favourite pastime My favourite moment of the day is sunset. The golden rays of the setting sun reveal a lot to me: better is the end of something than its beginning. Watching the sun fall yields to me how an infant my soul will remain. I don’t want to get used to it. It heals… Continue reading Night Poem: Setting Sun

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Night Poem: Vocal Nature

Night Nature has a way of entertaining itself, you know. There are the nocturnal insects and birds who sing through the night, there are the whistling pines and the stubborn wind. The night can be annoying at times when buzzing insects bother sleepers, it can also let her musicals perform lullabies to weary people when… Continue reading Night Poem: Vocal Nature