Oke’s Musings: Poetry, People and Places

Category: Pastoral

  • The Slug and the Rose by David Thane Cornell

    Oh how I praise the hour When I was born a snail, Beneath a crimson flower Beside a garden pail. At first she didn’t notice me As I moved so slow, But with my pointed thinking cap We thought up a show. And what an audience I won On a summer morn, When she awoke,…

  • Butterfly

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

  • 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!

  • Sometimes by Robin Bliss

    Sometimes, When the sun has just set. The clouds still reflect colours, Orange and red glowing bright. Behind them the endless turquoise sky. I feel that I can see forever and ever. Touching the eternity within. Longing to fly on gossamer wings, Soaring gliding at my will. The happiness of eternity glows within, And I…

  • Dawn

    ** A slope of rounded hills Black against the horizon Threatening the sun with its fierce thrust With thin clouds streaking across the sky ** The clouds underbellies glow reddish hue The morning warmth fighting the heady moon Wide plains stretched, savannah grass paradise Sometimes lonely trees stand with the yellow grass Ancient, raw, the…

  • Amuse: Singina likes my tales

    “I remember your funny and lovely tales,” she yawned “You complete my day with those poems of yours!” At first I wasn’t sure of what I did right exactly, But as a shepherd I find pleasure writing about life, Telling of my travel, of my long days and how it ends Now, tomorrow I shall…

  • Beautiful Day

    Is it not a beautiful day? From our places of comfort and seclusion, I trust everyone can get at least a warm and beautiful view of nature, of trees swinging in strong winds, of bird cries across the skies, and sunshine over quiet country or town. I’ll love to share your experiences over a bottle…

  • Even by Robin Bliss

    Even when I walk, In deaths dark shadow, And the sun is hidden, From my sight. Yes. When pestilence is near, And people panic afraid. Although fires rage. Or the darkest night, Has come upon me. When illness nears, And isolation is here, Languishing But. With you, my beloved, Close by my side. I will…

  • Lockdown by Greech Psalms mgms

    As I’ve watched the streets thru this glass wall.. Sadness envelops my world… Nobody walking on the streets … No jeepneys, buses and private cars busy moving around… No children playing in the park…. No more restaurants to dine in … No more shopping malls to buy something… No more bookstores selling my fave book…

  • Poetry Challenge by Robin Bliss

    When the Moon Dies and the Wind Cries. April Oh! April what can you bring? The final blow;death to Summer? Even though it’s warm and dry. I know that this warmth is false. Ah! Fickle month filled with lies. For this warmth means death. Pretending that all is well. But! Soon the icy coldness comes,…

  • My thoughts on Love

    I love you, and I want you to know. We know that love is a feeling and a state of mind, desirous to be there for someone or see a person succeed or be better. This desire lead to kind acts and actions summarise it all. Yet love can be expressed verbally. Who needs to…

  • By Still Waters

    By still waters, happiness is found

  • Self Reflection 26: Be Kind

    Be generous with kind words and deeds.

  • Self Reflection 25: Diligence

    If a man is called to be a street sweeper, he should sweep streets even as Michelangelo painted or Beethoven composed music or Shakespeare wrote poetry. He should sweep streets so well that the hosts of heaven and earth will pause to say here lived a great street sweeper who did his job well. _Martin…

  • That Leap of Faith by Arunav Barua

    Ever woke up scared, disoriented and not knowing where? Open your eyes and you’d see that the Sky’s still there Even the worst nightmare passes away with a little smile All that we need is a heart strong enough to withstand while The planet remains, its beauty intact, hidden in white pages That are real…

  • The sun may hide

    The sun may hide for a while But faith is our fortitude and citadel

  • Self Reflection 24: Be Strong, Be Yourself

    “To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment”_Ralph Waldo Emerson

  • Nostalgia: Traveling memories

    I remember my first attempt at hunting. I was a little boy then and just arrived my hometown for holidays. It was fun and I was glad I went home. As a town boy I had little experience in hunting and general country life. Traveling home was a great way to get in touch with…

  • A kind poem

    I sit in my little space To watch the world spin, I watch kindness show How joy and hope is sown I consider the wind And her benevolent ways, How she spreads fertile seeds To lands far and unknown And realise as I strive to find happiness That other people’s joy matter too So when…

  • Smile for me

    Smile for me beautiful child Show me your happy face Let me find inner peace Because of your beautiful smile Do not be shy Let those lips part, Let your joy fill me with hope Let me see those little dimples And the lines of your face Smile for me pretty African child Let go…

  • Information on Covid-19 in Local Languages

    This is Umukwu, Amune Ovim in Isuikwuato. An uncle sent this video to me yesterday. I’m happy to see this happen. Now that information about the virus is spread through local languages, I expect to see some change in attitude and willingness to observe social distancing. The video is in Igbo language. I think the…

  • Self Reflection 23: Generosity

    Spare a coat, clothe the naked Spare a spoon, feed the hungry

  • Blessed New Month to you

    *April 1, 2020. I’m grateful for life and for my family, friends and followers. I pray for a blessed and fruitful month for everyone and the healing of Earth. Love ❤️🖤💜💙💛💚

  • Movie: The Ghost and the Darkness

    As we observe our social distancing, I started seeing old favourite movies. I remember this historic film back in the days. Trust me, this is a thriller you will enjoy. Plot from Wikipedia. **** Plot: In 1898, Sir Robert Beaumont, the primary financier of a railroad project in Tsavo, Kenya, is furious because the project…

  • Rain!

    Guess what! Heaven’s tummy is rumbling! There’s some comfort from Heaven finally! It’s been hot since weekend, coupled with the Covid-19 issue, life has been solitary. Now it’s raining heavily outside! I’m seconds away from dancing in it but the lightning is frightening. I smell the wet dust. I’m sure mushrooms will visit tomorrow, haha.…

  • Remember 2

    Remember… My wrinkled lips were once your muse, The moonshine and joyful tears we shared Remember… My shaky hands once held you while we danced But will you forget my soul now my body is frail and old?

  • Self Reflection 22: Get Knowledge 2

    A lack of knowledge creates fear, seeking knowledge creates courage. NB: To reject something you know nothing about is ignorance.

  • I hear you whisper

    I hear you whisper in the morning, Waking to your tweet and joyful song, Lonely morning, seeds spread to the rising sun, Fields of tropical wheat sing with the mountain, And with you, beautiful birds; choir made in Heaven

  • Self Reflection 21: Faith 2

    Believing is seeing, not the other way round.

  • I choose Faith over Fear

    Just a few months ago, the world celebrated the new year. People, companies and countries nurtured aspirations and dreams, hoping for a happy year. But the advent of the virus brought fear and uncertainty. With what is going on, this pandemic may cause economic stress across the globe, particularly in Africa. I’m happy it’s Friday…

  • Self Reflection 20: Dream

    If you can dream it, you can do it _Walt Disney

  • Modern Chaos

    Untarred dusty roads, free wind beat Ancient hills hanging in the smog, While heaps of trash greet travelers Airy morning now, cheerful birds sing Smell of gutted fruits and vegetables, Markets swam with strange faces Human stench overwhelm the breeze At the distance, grasslands burn Hawks descend upon thick smoke As the fire lick the…

  • Stars Glitter for you

    Stars glitter for you When you look up the skies

  • Diary of a Village Boy: The Leopard Spirit 7 (Crocodile at the Stream)

    Dada said I had to be strong to attend the next Tales by Moonlight night. He also promised I could play and hunt with other children if I got well fast. So I took my medication and exercise seriously. The moonlight night tales come once in a fortnight, sometimes it may be delayed especially during…

  • Self Reflection 19: Get Knowledge

    Not to know is bad, not to wish to know is worse. African proverb.

  • Dream

    You came as a Dream to me This Dream has made me beautiful

  • Creative Baking: Senocreme

    Maya Angelou opined that one can’t use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have. Join me to welcome my guest, Seno Ukpe, a friend from Akwa Ibom state and CEO Senocreme. Meeting Seno, some years back in University of Uyo, I didn’t observe she had an enterprising mindset. Smart and taciturn, I…

  • Covid-19 Update in Nigeria

    The virus is still at large, and people move about freely as usual. Some news agencies reveal frightening figures. I can’t confirm these figures yet. Most public places; markets, schools and religious sites are open. Please keep us in your prayers. For those without Africa, we have you in our thoughts too. Stay safe, everyone.

  • Self Reflection 18: Hope

    Smile my friends, Nothing, no problem lasts

  • Muse: Our idea

    I love the idea of you and I Riding to the setting sun I see where the country ends But our love will never die

  • Mother

    Love is a beautiful journey in your eyes, You cook all day to feed our hungry selves And you eat only when we’re satisfied, Our first teacher, lover and my citadel You are a hero, you are my hero! Your love is restraint and inspiration Like the hen, sheltering chicks with her wings, You teach…

  • Self Reflection 16: Look beyond

    Look beyond the mirror called self.

  • Beautiful Spring

    Rainfall or shine, flowers and bird calls Squirrels and trees, spring brightens all Dwell in tree houses, sit out in beaches, Live in the beauty within and without you

  • To my First Grays

    You make me look old Like the folktales I told I wish away old age But they say gray is sage I feel happy warmth, When I muse over it

  • Self Reflection 15: Compassion

    Consideration for others is the basis of a good life, a good society.

  • Galaxies

    Galaxies shine, Cloudy night they belong Sea breeze play with waves

  • My Friend, the Free Wind

    I like that I soak in the rain, Catching water drops That melt before my eyes I play with Nature’s gifts, Dancing with the wind, My free, worthy friend! Rejoicing when our pots fill To embrace mother Nature’s bliss

  • Beauty

    Beauty is the ladybird Waking in the midst of dew To enjoy a quiet and lonely walk

  • Spring

    Green and red leaves may fall When spring sing from tree tops And blue skies are her muse

  • Folklore: The Straw, the Coal and the Bean from Gutenberg Project

    In a village dwelt a poor old woman, who had gathered together a dish of beans and wanted to cook them. So she made a fire on her hearth and that it might burn the quicker, she lighted it with a handful of straw. When she was emptying the beans into the pan, one dropped…