Oke’s Musings: Poetry, People and Places

Category: Poetry

  • Humane-ity

    I arrived school with headache as I was stressed from doing many chores and sleeping less. I was a nanny, a mother, a father and a guardian, all put in one. Also, Jindu was sick and I nursed him. When my mom took my sister to the hospital, I had to prepare Jindu’s meals and…

  • Elegy to you, Peace

    I remember your smiles dear sister, Your struggle to live in this pathetic world, Your last smile and when you slept in peace I glad that your pains are no more Though I miss you and we may live alone I still see tree leaves fall from the window side, Sitted on the lawns that…

  • Tungan Maje By Michelle Basil

    Our relationship with family and friends, with our immediate environment and passion for others makes us human. Michelle Basil is my guest this beautiful and sunny morning. This is her story. Michelle believes that simple things in life matter. She is a lover of outdoors, sunshine and trees. Her favourite spot is Tungan Maje, the…

  • A shepherd’s song

    There’s a song known only to a shepherd, When evenings come and the sun light fade He sits with his sheep in the barnyard And plays the guitar through the early night Hounds howl, but his lyrics reassures his flock Stars gather across the sky to listen, he winks at them And when he retires,…

  • Tales of the Wild Woods: Summer time

    When beautiful summer came… Upon the glades and vales of the wild woods The Mountain took her position and stood quietly by the forest side, Sniffing the sweet smell come from fresh growing flower shrubs Happy birds came flying home Followed by pretty insects and the boar herd The skies tinted with blue skirmish Sometimes…

  • I’m happy motherland!

    I’m happy dear motherland, I’m happy! I’m happy to lay my head on your shoulders To sniff your wet hair that smells like cocoa butter! My feet is swift to run to the wild So I wash my feet on the stream’s slow tide I fright mambas and laugh at mating frogs All cold morning…

  • Haiku: Sunset

    Fast the sun traveled awayHappy birds fly homeWhen evening breeze came

  • Folktale: The Hen and Her Neighbors

    It is breezy here and I have a tale for the evening. Gather around, sit with me under this mango tree, warm yourself by the fire and enjoy this poetale… Ifochakpi! Waa!! Once in the animal kingdom There lived a Hen and a Cock and Their neighbors, the Rat and the Lizard One day the…

  • February Morning

    Good morning everyone. I trust we are all good. It’s a new month. To me, this means a fresh start. In West Africa, we welcome every new day, week, month or year with good wishes. So today being the first of February, I want to wish a happy new month to my followers and subscribers.…

  • Lullaby

    Evening breezes are swift lullaby From the distance Burning grasses sigh Bats, owls hover above Tiny insects welcome a starry night Crickets quiz themselves While the mantis scavenge for a bite Still this airy night is very young

  • The Waterfall: Sounds of Water

    I stand to listen to you, sounds of water, When birds fly above the green shroud And small fish glide in the green current When the waterfall sing a proud song Mother Nature sings and wash her garments on rocks, Happy girls and boys wash and sang along Pigeons, egrets, partridges and wild ducks All…

  • Thoughts on Life 1

    I believe that life goes beyond what we see and what we see teach us a lot about our existence. I have met people with black, brown, yellow and white hair. I see blue clouds, sometimes grey, other times white. I have seen big oceans, small rivers and little creeks, lived in big cities and…

  • Four Poems

    (i.) The Moon The Moon is following me And with her light I see Wherever I walk she stalks; Behind my shadow she follows And how she sweeps the land Looking for me in the quiet clan (ii.) Village Square The nights dancing festival Brings all, big and small The farmer, the wine tapper The…

  • Cat Poem by John Hollander

    I saw this and thought I should share it. Cat Poem by John Hollander, first published in 1984.

  • Noisy Weekend

    Ah. It’s a hot noon here. Dry harmattan wind made it even worse as it brought hot air. I’m back from work and quietly sitted, looking out the window. I could be less bored in a natural environment but all I see here are buildings, electricity poles and people. There are little or no trees…

  • Tropics

    The taste of coconut oil is on my lips Sunset surf the evening wind The cloud is blue, tree leaves green The sand is warm, sea water cold Up the skies, birds fly away happy And on the beach crabs walk Out on the sea, blue whales horn Beauty is our tropical songs For her…

  • Amuse: Three Things

    Three things still baffle me: a crab, the walk like that of an undecided drunk, tip to left and then like a call back to its senses, an effort to the right, a herd of goats or sheep, chewing and giving a familiar stare one might think they knew me from somewhere, an ant, wise…

  • Green

    Green is the color of life,Of dew descent upon tree leavesAnd branches,Of forests blessed with floral thingsAnd many beings that fly on wingsAnd plumages

  • Two Poems: By the Poolside and The Shepherd’s Muse

    1. By the Poolside By the pool that stills my soul I watch the slow tide drift by My song goes high pitch When a catfish disturb my tranquillity 2. The Shepherd’s Muse Glad that the night brought pleasant airs The shepherd lay to recall the day’s stress Crickets chirp, the night is very young…

  • Africa: My Idea of Love

    You are my idea of love The sun rising behind these hills My morning dew and muse, The songs I sing in my heart And my secret joy and happiness You are an elixir to my bones, The unseen muscle behind When I lay unsure of myself You play strings of my heart To make…

  • The King’s Messenger: Town Crier

    Kokookoroko kokorokoro A greeting called from afar The children ran out excited As if this 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 even the heaviest village sleeper ‘Oh how cute, it is one of the King’s…

  • Bad phone

    Hi guys! I’ve a bad phone and this is affecting my writing. I won’t be regular as usual. Later…

  • My Soul Longs for Thee

    My soul longs for thee, dear motherland To run the patched dusty red muds And to swim in the rivers crisscrossing all over you Let me climb the trees of your forests And drink from the shallow streams My soul longs to nibble the tender pumpkin seeds Freshly cut from hilly farms To dance with…

  • Family is Energy

    For more than a week, the waters of our creek Oko’pia have been chalky. Villagers say each time this happened, an animal (Atah – Alligator) is digging away at the source. I don’t know where the source is and honestly if I knew I wouldn’t go. 😐 Our farm lies further away from the village,…

  • Palm Trees

    Like a tropical masquerade she stood With hands as long and spiky fronds And breasts as red fruits, ripe and Fresh snacks for all who come to her feast Long are her strong and tiny roots For she stands as firm sentry and greets All that journey through the quiet hamlet She hides behind hills…

  • Little Feather

    Dreams are not for you little feather For you must fly and soar above all, Above those who may delay your sails And across thick forests and arid lands Which are nobody’s foe or friend I am jealous of you but wish you well So wave me a bye, spread your wings, And let the…

  • Morning sun

    Shine forth morning sun Make dew drop and disappear Paint the world gold And take all gloom away, From fields let farmers behold, From forgeries let smiths smile And from hamlets let our joy flow With every fine memory you bring

  • Morning view of Uwaoma Hill

    Exotic view of Ugwu Uwaoma! The pathway leads to Umukwu, my granny’s place. This morning I was privileged to pass through this ancient hill. Around the hill are ponds and streams. There are Catfish and other species in them. I will visit the farm later to collect some wood. I heard there’s a stream before…

  • Haiku of the Harmattan

    Green things are brown Harmattan made them so Even trees turn mad dancers

  • Dust of Locust with Steven M Ross

    Okechukwu Iroegbu: A dark patch I saw from afar On a day the doors were left ajar A falling mist upon earth Greysome; a sight I loath The sun had seen much For I, never seen such Steven M Ross: Sunlight still prevail Every emotion that you feel Like poetry is a bust So does…

  • Giant Moth

    I met a fluffy looking insect In the cold early morning Resting by the door step Looking comely and pretty And I said “What a beauty!” He looked rude and saucy For he twisted to a corner When I spoke to him Kept mute and ignored Then I knew he was also proud Sunrise, lizards…

  • Merry Christmas Eve

    As we progress to the year’s end, remember to enjoy the people God has put in your life. Drop all forms of disagreements and grudges, be humble to serve others, let things you can’t control be and try to help people. Forgive and see things from different angles. Never forget to spend quality time with…

  • Christmas Stories 2

    “Tonight the stars will guide us to the baby Take your cloaks, it will be a long journey” One magi summoned his excited companions It was dark but they prepare their camel train Cold airs spread the late evening mist As they marched through sand and dust Winds soared, it was darker up the clouds…

  • Masoyina (My Love)

    Love is when you stare into my eyes To smile when we got no reason to It gives me pleasure to love you, masoyina* And I cherish that I do every sunset **** Masoyina*: Hausa language for my love.

  • Harmattan winds

    Harmattans graceful blankets slowly descend, Blowing dry brown dust upon our hamlet, On misty mornings and smoky evenings

  • Haiku: Sunlight

    Sunlight rays peep through leaves Playful squirrels own the branches Mushrooms sit amused when nuts fall

  • Dance in the Rain

    Let’s dance in the rain Throw our worries to the wind Raise your hands And dodge my water blow, Gather the rain water Return my punch Let this flow turn to dance When clouds gather That’s a great sign- It must be the rain! Or the comely evening But let’s wait, If it’s the rain’s…

  • Friendship

    Listen and ride through nostalgia Friendship may restore old memories Of joyful love and companionship

  • Candlelight

    Dear candlelight Dance for me, throw your light Upon the darkness in this box Make these great shadows a hoax Fire your joyful flames up So you may read words my pen drop Gather your heat and strength Waltz with the wind, feel the warmth Dance again when you lick the air Mock me when…

  • A lovers poem

    Will you stare into my eyes when I say I missed you, To see the strings that hold my heart melt before your gaze And the fire in my soul dance for the joy of beholding you? Will you hold these tired hands and caress it As a skilled guitarist would with his instrument To…

  • Haiku of the night 3

    Airy evening for all tree dwelling fellows Sparrows sing, Robins bass as crickets chirp Two happy lovers sit listening *** Hello everyone. I promised to post more about my hometown. I’m having issues uploading images, so I’ll do that once I’m back to town.

  • There is more to life by Miracle Kelechi

    I stumbled on this and think it is worth sharing. Thank you Miracle Kelechi for the reminder that there is more to life than worries.

  • The Witch’s Lair

    Once there was a traveler, weak and weary, Fatigued with the burden of travel and bag on his back, And many tiny painful stones hiding in his shoes He carried a bag which held a guitar for he could play But faint was he, clinging closely to his life, Hoping to see an inn or…

  • Haiku: Evening tide

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

  • Nature’s simplicity

    Grey skies, morning wakes to roosters, Gold spreads across the cloudy horizon Morning was just Nature’s simple character

  • A haiku of the night

    Howls and barks from sad dogs, Full moon, cold grips the quiet night When silhouettes walk the lonely streets

  • 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…

  • Worrying

    Like strong surging water worrying Seeks to drive Joy and Peace away, It throws parties for Depression and Self-pity, And gladly the duo fix what should or should not be Worrying clenches open palms, It crashes great resolutions, Reconfigures good dreams, And creates for the mind, fatal walls Like calm and still waters, Mindfulness pays…

  • The Forest’s rhyme

    Even before mists and dews evaporate The green forest was awake, tending to her residents But the cold iron snake will have none of her benevolence

  • When Beauty Fades by Okoroji Chidiebere Alexander

    I can feel comfortable with flowers, What a beauty! What an aroma!! I can’t resist the gentle, Pure and, how sacred they are, What else can life be proud of? I’m really proud of life’s many beauty, And many lies. But here beauty fades, Like addiction, It becomes uninteresting, With time, It loses its value,…