Oke’s Musings: Poetry, People and Places

Category: Nature

  • In Ovim

    I’m back to Ovim Isuikwuato, my hometown. It has been a long week for me, marking and grading students’ math exam. Coupled with the noisy neighbourhood, the stress nearly overwhelmed me. Thank God it’s Friday. Now far away from work and town’s hustle bustle, I can feel myself heal. The surrounding hills – notably Ugwu…

  • A haiku of the night 2

    Soft wool, fluffy pillow, starry night Three fellows bidding a shepherd sleep Crickets sing from cracks in the wall

  • Reflecting on the Sunset

    There’s that feeling of nostalgia when the sun drifts away from the hamlets, sinking, sailing through the clouds like a golden phantom, spherical like a child’s playball. Sometimes when it’s hot we wish away the sun and when it’s cold we wish the sun’s heat could warm our land. It’s man’s nature to want balance…

  • Visit Africa: Safari

    Safari is a term used for expeditions to observe or hunt animals in their natural habitats. It has a Swahili origin and it is commonly used in East Africa. You might want to consider Safari as a holiday option. There are beautiful things waiting for you to enjoy. The misty sunrise and magical sunset will…

  • Amuse: Slow School Bus

    Where’s that slow school bus?

  • African Wildlife: Bongo

    Bongos might be the largest antelope in Africa, but they are very timid. They scare easily and will run away and hide when frightened.

  • Haiku: Evening tide

    Fast falls the evening tide, Kids play on tree branches Squirrels watch from holes

  • Appreciation

    Good morning from West Africa. It’s Friday and a bright new day. I wish I can throw a poetry (blog) party! I’m very grateful to all my followers. I see your comments, likes and suggestions. Honestly, I’m happy knowing you are out there. It means a lot to me, Imeela! Let’s do more.

  • Happiness 3

    Do you know that Africans in general, Nigerians in particular are considered the happiest people on earth? Believe me, there are many things that can put a smile on your face in Africa. Happiness comes from the inside. Check out the image of a happy African girl.

  • Human – Animal Relationship Awareness Week

    The goal of this week is to raise awareness of the importance of human – animal relationships and highlight the benefits and variety of these special bond. Whether it’s a puppy, giraffe or a caterpillar, all creatures deserve our love and respect. How will you recognize the holiday? Raise awareness, pay extra attention to your…

  • Dancing in the Rain

    Joy is dancing in the rain… 😊🤗🙃 Have you tried this before? #Nostalgia

  • Herd of Elephants

    A group of Elephants is called a herd. Elephants are herbivores and peaceful animals. Sometimes writers call them “Gentle Giants.” They are found all over Africa and are territorial. Elephants are social animals and love mud bathing. Most of their day is spent grazing. Their diet include barks, tree leaves and roots. Here’s an advice:…

  • Peace of Mind

    This image of an African child depicts peace of mind and contentment. What are your thoughts? #peace #contentment #joy #happiness

  • Nature: Best Vacation

    Nothing heals faster than Nature and this healing feeling is unexplainable. It’s something everyone should experience. Most vacations should include moving away from hustle bustle and noisy streets of familiarity and town. I can’t say what works for everyone but if you need inspiration or thinking space, I recommend travelling to the countryside, where serenity…

  • The Spotted Hyena

    I was amazed the first time I saw this animal. That was during a trip organized by my secondary school to Songhai Redemption Centre, near Owerri, Nigeria. The spotted hyena (Crocuta crocuta) is Africa’s most common large carnivore. They have excellent nighttime vision and hearing and usually bear litters of two to four cubs. Cubs…

  • Sound of Water

    My poems are like sounds of flowing water, It tells of no serious things in particular; But little of people that wash others’ feet And the wild that call green forests home It talks of fauns that hide in crevices And dreamy waterfalls, happy to fall with currents, Rushing, flowing in streams and rivers, Out…

  • AWF: Manyara Ranch Conservancy

    From a mismanaged cattle ranch to a prime wildlife area. When African Wildlife Foundation began operating Manyara Ranch Conservancy, poaching was rampant in the area. Now, the 45,000 acre ranch is a well maintained wildlife corridor between Tanzania’s Tarangire and Manyara National Parks. Video from African Wildlife Foundation.

  • Himalayan in pictures by Urvsh

    My friend Urvsh is holidaying in the Himalayan. She shares with us her images and videos. The Himalayan range is located in the Indian subcontinent. Mt Everest, K2 and Kanchenjunga, some of the world’s highest peaks lies in the Himalayan range.

  • A poem for Ovim, Isuikwuato

    Morning wakes with the sun Windy clouds, happy yawns Quiet town, down the hill Misty paths, birds sing With the forest’s inhabitantsTall palm trees stand guard From their branches, birds tweet Squirrels look down in fright or excitement Dropping oily snacks on trespassers Forest pathways are hijacked by monkeys Protesting when a group of boys…

  • Shepherd’s poem

    From bed of wool, sound of settling sheep bemused him Far up the night sky, stars want and rain was on her way These three things blessed the Shepherd’s thoughts and rest

  • Haiku: Tides

    Sunshine, blue skies and approaching tide Brown crabs crawl away, walking sideways Amused egrets follow, escorting their trail

  • Rainfall, Drummer of the Year!

    Nothing compares to the feeling you bring, With queer beats, you spice up Summer, Singing as in songfests with the Thunder!

  • Poetale after the Days work

    Now we gather by the fireside Waiting for yams to roast Warming our hands in the heat On this evening, cool and mild The dreams we wait to dream The waiting pillow beckoning The tales in hopes of telling And a joyful evening it seems The hot day had gone up those hills Releasing a…

  • Haiku: The Wind surfs

    How happy, the wind surf the sea! Bending double to strong waves, To escape the doom before her

  • Visit Africa: Masai Mara

    Video from Guardian TV

  • Haiku: A Summer Walk

    Take a summer stroll down the green bush Find three squirrels play by fallen tree logs Splash! A frightened frog jumps into the quiet pond

  • A poem for Sailors

    See the sailors ships dance on the wave To the rising sun they prepare to sail Waiting to greet birds and smooth tides, And to dream when the evening rides See the sailors gather their sails With rum as their better companion They sing and tell tales from happy mouths, While the ready ship waltzed…

  • Nigeria

    In the morning, the sun rises Above the horizons and cliffs And on the smiling faces on the farms Hope rises with the sun, As the children roll out their bicycles To the tanned fields of the hamlet Followed by their pets, puppies and kittens A proud cloud draws a huge smile And on the…

  • Visit Africa: Gaborone

    If you love nature, then you should visit Bostwana. There’s a lot of Game and Nature reserves in this country, trust me, you won’t get enough of wildlife sighting here. We’ll be checking out the capital city; Gaborone, a beautiful town in my ‘to visit list’. Gaborone is known for the Gaborone Game Reserve, sheltering…

  • Thoughts on Contentment

    Most vices become when there’s a lack of contentment. Burglary, pilfering, all manner of stealing, falsehood, and even hatred of oneself are all discontentment factors. I asked some elders about their thoughts on contentment, and they gladly led me through their wisdom. As we all know, happiness is a great virtue worth teaching our younger…

  • The Boy Who Cried “Wolf”

    This is one of Aesop’s most famous fable. It’s old but not rusty. As you read through note that the fastest way to lose what we call our good character is to lose our honesty. There was once a shepherd boy who kept his flock at a little distance from the village. Once he thought…

  • Happy Autumn song

    Autumn plays a game of colors Warm is her painted trees and land Sweet are the songs from her birds With the two, she gave benevolently *** Image by Yaran Qadr

  • Drums of Nature

    These are drums, of joy and fulfilment, Listen, Heaven sings her melodious hit Her clap of thunder startles me, Yet the raindrops act as my lullaby ** With Elabh

  • Dreaming of Summer

    Summer is a dreamers tale, told in advance In this dream; grasses are green and squirrels dance Summer is the song of comfort in the hearts of many It refreshes, renews and brings solace to the wary Summer is the wild flower growing by the roadside An adorable fragrance from shrubs, sweet and mild Summer…

  • Excursion: Coke with Primates

    An excursion it was to the Songhai Zoological Garden, Owerri, Nigeria. The weather was mild and sunny. Our bus rode through the dusty hills leading to the garden. The dust followed the bus for miles. Now those hills stood ageless like a wallpaper surrounded by green forests. I can still picture it all. On the…

  • Let’s Tour the Alkebulan by Abdurrazaq Mubaraq Adebayor

    Come walk with me to African blessed abode, To see the wondrous beauty the Earth has bestowed; We’ll bask in the surreal splendor that surrounds us, And listen to nature composing the streets hustle and bustle, As car honks and random disc jokey tootles across the street, Sending our minds wandering into a poet’s lovely…

  • A Shepherd’s Song

    Evening airs are comfort to a tired soul, Which all morning was submerged in wool, Cuddled by cute lamb, fresh and beautiful. Up in the skies, glittering stars play their role Stories of the giraffe and the moon they tell, How the giraffe ate the sickly moon half! As the Shepherd lay down on the…

  • Why you should visit Africa

    If you are in rural Africa, you will be very lucky to witness events you may never see anywhere else in the world when the sun sets! The sunrise brings joy. Dew, heaven’s water, gathers on rooftops, tree leaves, and grasses. The sun may stay for a while, but it can rise as early as…

  • Amuse: Little flower

    Dear Little Flower sitting, On the wooden plate I can’t help but wonder Why you glow, so red, Will it be, the squirrel Asked you out And now, you’re red with blush?

  • You and I…

    You and I… Is my idea of a team Together, against odds, In ups and downs, Greatness and littleness, Plenty and scarcity You and I… Is my idea of love Our wish, against all odds, My help and friend My muse and madness One whose joy makes me happy

  • Four Nature Poems with Deborah Nnagbo, Shawny Johnson and Franklin Onuoha

    Ogbunike Cave by Deborah Nnagbo There it lies with an open mouth, Basking in the unadulterated air of tradition. Bidding me to come in unto her, Inside the sacred forest guarding the glory of a race. Slowly, I tiptoed into natures edifice. With eyes clothed with wonder. I could not but see the finger of…

  • The Wrong Way

    I sit by the cliff edge To watch the lights go out And one by one they went Nothing made sense As we live in disguise, Resting, Relaxing, Recessing, Recouping? From all our disastrous efforts But are we prisoners of earth? Do we have to let everything be? If I write alone, no one will…

  • Tradition: Iri Ji Festival

    Let us pray (ka anyi kpe ekpere)Nna anyi, we gather againTo celebrate the New Yam!The King of all cropsWhich you blessed us withThe crop whose soft tendrils crawl,Through our fine, fertile soilAnd carries with it abundance,Greatness, joy, peace and love!We celebrate the forests You tillOn our behalf,The greenery with shrubs and treesWith every fruit that…

  • Thoughts on Africa 2: Education

    The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character – that is the real goal of education. – Martin Luther King, Jr Education is vital for individual, community, and national growth. It is a key tool that can drive social, economic, and political transformation across Africa.…

  • Anyanwu Ututu m (My Morning sun)

    Anyanwu ututu m My gift and joy from God Onyem ji eme onu You glow like the red chilli And you are sweet, Sweeter than the palm wine, Ah nwanyioma m! When the village drums beat You dance with ecstacy Laughing when you move Sometimes, words fail me I can only ponder on God’s creativity…

  • Wealth of Summer

    “The flowers blossom in magnificent desires The tree leaves are greener, and the airs milder But are all these, the only wealth of the summer?”

  • Draw the Sun

    Draw the sun and paint your dreams Believe in the little you do, hope for the best Connect to your mind, live your dream!

  • Welcoming November, with Love

    There is this month which gave good memories It brings hope, joy and consolation And expectations grow when the month arrives The moments are like mixed gold dusts Falling from eyes, distorted, unified, in-explainable A desire to see it come and go and so on… It tells of the way we have gone since the year…

  • Africa: Retelling the story

    What if there was no love in me for you Africa…? I shrug, I will not think of it… I wonder which other songs are left for me to sing I wonder what can give me much joy for a better future And I thank God for this gift, for Africa, for the world For…

  • The Butterfly

    See Mother Nature’s art See her paintings, black and white Behold the gift of the rising sun, The wind is a prize to be won So fly, pet of the blue clouds … skies and the wind Break forth from the cocoon Hit the silky walls wide open Fly away, you pretty butterfly Travel farther…