-
The Village
Once the sun rise, life regains its joy More birds glide up the pretty skies Fast rodents play in the shrub nearby As smoke rise from long chimneys Little children leave for school, Fathers spend the day in farms, Mothers gather materials for food Everyone has got a role to play Squirrels hide in tree…
-
Opinion: Eurasia & Nagorno-Karabakh 2
Is enough not enough? Civilian casualties In peaceful times, it is easier for the victor to reconcile with the vanquished. It’s ten days already, and I kept wondering why these two governments prefer to use force over dialogue. I regret that the Armenian political leadership failed to engage the Azeri in peace talks when they…
-
Soldier Ants
No one wants an army of ants patrolling around his front door or garden. But talk of an endless stream of army ants? That doesn’t sound so good.I saw a file of soldier ants (ólú-mba in the Igbo language) yesterday night. I never imagined they would mobilize to a greater force. The following morning I…
-
Opinion: Eurasia & Nagorno-Karabakh
The drums of war have been beating since the beginning of this year. Eurasia ‘When it starts, it will be over there. Eurasia* may introduce the world to a global conflict.’ Those were my words as I sat watching BBC’s global news. Before the announcement on Nagorno-Karabakh, I had always predicted that a future global…
-
Morning Sun – Poetry
Glittering morning sun, Woke to nature’s beauty, Warm scent of caked clay Leftover from night storm, To me life is series of moments; Made up of sounds and sights Cackling peacocks, blue skies, Green fields, huge waterfalls, A female goat calling to her kid, Group of laughing basket weaving girls, Three red headed lizards fighting,…
-
A Shepherd’s Poem
Sun set slowly above the wood Shadows appear, shepherd dreams; Soft breeze upon evening tide, Smell of sheep dung, Slices of malted bread, Songs from the wine inn, Situated by the river bend, Sober men drink their heart fill, Silent hills, retreating birds, Sally may sing her radio favourite, Something to celebrate our countryside, Scent…
-
Magpie and the Squirrel – A Poem
Swooping down in excitement from a tree, A magpie spies the nuts and seeds with me. A squirrel nearby watches the commotion, Its swishing tail plotting paths of anticipation. The bounty descends effortless to the ground, Like wheat chaff in the muted siren of sound. As the magpie dances, delighted at the sight, The squirrel…
-
The Lucern Tree by Robin Bliss
The Lucerne tree in flower White petals floating down Carpeting the pathway, and The front veranda with a sea Of white, white everywhere Coming upon this alba sea As a child; with music in my head Amazed at the ocean of pearl Sitting down in the middle of whiteness Whiteness all around me, whiteness Whiteness…
-
Night Fall In The Countryside
Night falls behind the village fence Last traces of day, shadows fade Tree lines turn grey and black While the sky host a million stars Quiet evening, sound of water Heard down the waterfalls, by the streamside And from thickets bullfrogs wade Enjoying the fresh and sweet breeze Tree branches play with the wind Soft…
-
Love Poems: I Celebrate You
Hausa Language A greater percentage of the population in Northern Nigeria speak Hausa language. I lived in Northern Nigeria for roughly a year. Looking back to those months, I will say it was eye-opening and fun. I learned some of the culture and traditions. I met great people and made friends who were ever willing…
-
The Egg, The Coffee Beans and The Potato
A short story A little boy named John lived in a beautiful home with his parents. One day, his father found him crying and asked if something was wrong. John said meekly, “I have so many problems in life, and talked about his ‘problems’. John’s father patiently listened to him. Then he brought a bowl…
-
Hometown by Peniel Gifted
That magnificent city Built beautifully Its walls painted in great colours Furnished with happy diamonds Its streets with the unceasing glitters. My hometown The city of the two great hills The city where I feel the cool breeze of nativity Beholding the swaying tulips and smiling sun The love of nature, giving me the mild…
-
Musical Africa: Talking Drum
The Talking Drum is peculiar to the Yoruba people of West Africa. Musical Africa You will agree with me that Africa is a musical continent. It’s full of sounds and songs. Every tribe and nation has a peculiar musical identity. As dressing and languages differ so do musical instruments. I will like to share a…
-
Lullaby: Sing for me a Lullaby
Sing for me dear nightingale Gather your host of voices Rant through the early night Tweet away joyfully from heart Let my ears quiver from your song Let frogs and crickets listen to it To respond with their baritone Sing for the sweet nectar For red roses and hibiscus And the traveling sunlight Tell the…
-
African Proverb: On A Snake’s Ability
Igbo Proverb: If a snake fails to show its venom, little kids will use it in tying firewood. Origin: A snake is a dangerous reptile. Snake poison can kill an adult in minutes. In Africa, snake bites contribute to deaths. In Igbo land where this proverb originated from, snakes are not toyed with. In some…
-
Poets Corner: Difference between Wisdom, Knowledge and Education.
My take on this… It’s generally believed that knowledge is power. Yet many find it difficult to differentiate between wisdom and knowledge. For me knowledge is having the stuff while wisdom boils down to application of the stuff. To differentiate both from education is even a thing of further logic. In my opinion education should…
-
Love Poem: Dream Together
Faint voices speak, Loud in my mind I look in your eyes It tells sweet stories If I look away It is to smile, in my heart We live beautiful moments, Laughter, peace, kindness, Harmony, playful fights And you, a perfect inspiration; Pouting red lips That reminds of cherries, Hair dancing in the breeze That…
-
Breathe Again by Njabulo N.
Breathe again, Like you have just gained yet another chance to live, Life is not promised but experienced and lived. I have grown to be a different person, Different from normal people who do everything like everyone. My life is not the same anymore, I wonder why everyone is worried about it, I no longer…
-
Quote on Courage
I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear. Nelson MandelaAt a time colonial forces and indigenous South Africans fought over land rights and freedoms, a courageous man spoke up for his…
-
Quote on Love
Of all the magic in the world, none is more powerful than love. …And that’s if we accept that any other thing qualify as magic. Love is a driving force. It can change things; perceptions and imaginations. Great achievements are accomplished through it. Great writers wrote about it. It’s something beautiful to love. Imagine what…
