Oke’s Musings: Poetry, People and Places

Always be mine

Always be mine.

March 3, 2020
Self-Reflection 3: Focus

Focus and reflect. 📷@sabine_stols

March 2, 2020
Self Reflection 2: Love yourself

Love yourself enough to take the actions required for your happiness.

March 2, 2020
Self Reflection 1: Walk alone

Sometimes it’s good to walk alone to allow your mind find its purpose.

March 2, 2020
Thank you

I feel better today. I think the malaria and stress is gone. I’m ready to start work again. Can anyone recommend a good editor and publisher? I’ve a drama and some short stories I’m considering to publish. Thank you for your likes and support. 💛💙💜💚❤

March 1, 2020
Diary of a Village Boy: The Leopard Spirit 6 (Another Attack)

That night I had another attack. It was midnight and everybody was settled for some sleep. The moon was white, there were no stars and the evening brought mild breezes. Wild dogs and wolves howled from the hilly distance and the night was deafened in their terrifying noise. Night was nobody’s friend those days. Travelers…

March 1, 2020
Muse: Even Though…

Let me hold your hands, look into your eyes & sing, For even though I fail sometimes, I love you still

March 1, 2020
Happy New Month

Here’s to wish you all a fruitful month! Let’s march on to greater fruitfulness, open doors, good health and blessings. ❤💚💜💛💙

March 1, 2020
All about Coronavirus

Nigeria recorded her first case of Coronavirus 2 days ago. I received this video from a friend in Italy. Please share this video with loved ones.

February 29, 2020
Introducing The Rainmaker

In Africa, some people are known to conjure rain. This piece is not occultic. I will explain more on rainmakers later. PROLOGUE Give me rain, Let the wind rage again Give me rain, dear Heaven! (1.) Let it flood the browned farmlands, Let it refresh the waters of the ponds, And the hards rocks upon…

February 29, 2020
A Farmer’s Love song

I picked a pretty fruit Which reminds me of you Grey eyes and elegant There are many fruits But you are just exotic A fine and pretty sight You are an amazing fruit Like the seed of Sunflower Sweet to keep my days light You have become my fruit The sunshine after darkness My best…

February 29, 2020
Images from John Okereke

I met John at the University of Uyo, Nigeria. I wasn’t sure what his talent was then. I’m now. Follow him at @putinpicturesJohn is a jolly good fellow…

February 28, 2020
African Folklore

Folklore are tales, legends, superstitions of a particular ethnic population. In Igbo culture and other African societies, story telling is unique, such that it is a passage to transmit the tradition of a place from one generation to another. These tales convey the history, ancient messages and old knowledge. They teach morals and virtues to…

February 27, 2020
Muse: Thoughts of You

Nights may fall, crickets may call, I sit alone, thinking of you

February 27, 2020
Muse: Promise

I’ll be far away, Promise you wait for me

February 26, 2020
The Rainmaker’s Tales: Beginning

When I am not making the rain fall To flood the village and farms And to make the river banks overflow Then I will be watching the glittering stars And talking to her, the night and moon Well, the night is never complete without a tale And this is for the sleepy little ones, I…

February 26, 2020
Take a Break

Do you feel overwhelmed by life’s stress? Then it’s time to take a break. Here are some recommended tips to stay relaxed: 1. Take a nap: It’s obvious that our body system is designed for rest. So enjoying some sleep is a good way to let off steam. 2. Water, Water and more Water :…

February 25, 2020
Haiku*: Two snails

Two snails approach rail tracks Skies are grey Train horns afar

February 24, 2020
Anger Vs Love

A friend sent this to me on WhatsApp and I thought of sharing with you. While a man was polishing his new car, his 6 year old son picked up a stone and scratched lines on the side of the car. In anger, the man took the child’s hand and hit it many times; not…

February 24, 2020
Building Bridges

What is better than bringing two worlds together, Bringing life and earth over a body of water? What is better than true friendship When it blesses all with companionship? What is better than the scent of the rain When it brings the reign of droughts to an end? What is better than the smiles of…

February 24, 2020
Muse: Life

Life is strings of memories, Little moments and turning points, Love and forgiveness, Flowers and breezy nights, Happiness and bird watching… Life is living experience, Horse riding and beaches, Hiking and sunset, Coconut juice and warm soups, So life is found most in simple things… *** Want a WordPress site like this one? Then click…

February 23, 2020
View from my Backyard

Beware! There’s a furry ninja lurking in the shadows of this tree! Like when you see him in this slow-mo vid. The trees here are home to many squirrels and birds and it’s just at my backyard! I have known these squirrels since I was a kid. This morning I patiently waited to watch them…

February 23, 2020
Swift Breezes

Swift breezes welcome me to my hometown My mind is at rest, for the love felt around Palm trees are sentries, termites their soldiers Cherries and mangoes throw fruits, sweet as sugar Swift breezes blow through our quiet neighbourhood I stand under tree shades, with my hands raised When tree leaves struggle all about breezy…

February 23, 2020
400 + Followers!

Reflecting on my writing history I’ll say it hasn’t been easy. Writing from rural and semi urban Africa can be challenging; poor internet connection, little or no research resource and electricity issues. Despite all these, seeing your vote, like, comment, share or a new follower is an indicator that there’s progress. For your support dear…

February 22, 2020
The Rainmaker’s Tales 2

Now it was tradition that young men Cut wood in the neighboring forest Before they are allowed to chose a maiden There was no axe in the town and nearby hamlets So young men did desperate things, Mirtle was a young man, deformed in one hand, Humbly dull, but very courageous Youth of the hamlet,…

February 22, 2020
True Leadership

Earlier this evening, I overheard the women talk; my mother, aunts, some helpers and my little sister. From my room window, I heard their discussion on the funeral and all they did to make it a success. Usually, I don’t eavesdrop on women chats, but I couldn’t help but listen to this particular discussion. I…

February 21, 2020
Ide Stream

We took a walk through Ovim. I decided to show my friends around. Just after Ugwu Uwaoma, we saw the table mountain. From the distance, it looked magnificent. Further ahead, we came across the stream Ide, with her tide gliding smoothly through the green forest. The stream is deep and some fish trapping go on.…

February 21, 2020
Poems of The Night

Night falls after the sun And to homes we all return Counting the days stress and toil Letting the darkened kettle boil And preying our eyes on passing people While we eat out plates of sweet potato When the full moon came out The whole clan grants a sit-out, The infants, the boys, girls, men,…

February 21, 2020
Adieu Sister: Chioma Iroegbu

February 20, 2020
Love Challenge 10

Twist and turns, hills and valley, Day and night, your love is home

February 20, 2020
Love Challenge 9B

Just call on my name, I’ll be there To show you how much I care

February 19, 2020
Diary of a Village Boy: The Leopard Spirit 5 (Fata)

When I reached home that evening, it seemed like the whole world was turned upside down. I felt my head swell as the bee stings and sharp roots hurt my foot. By the side of my bamboo bed Nene and her dog sat, staring at me. She held my hand and squeezed softly. I saw…

February 19, 2020
Love Challenge 9

I love to stare into your eyes That’s my favourite place to be

February 19, 2020
Reflection: Sad Evening

I sit outside the house alone. It’s hot inside and few hours ago our house was filled with people who came to pay their last respect to my late sister. I’ve been busy, mentally and emotionally that I hardly had time for my physical self. People who knew me observed that I lost weight. Three…

February 18, 2020
Love Challenge 8

Memories flood my big head But I find it joyful to say few I count myself graced for your love

February 18, 2020
African Landscapes

These images represent different African landscapes… Can you identify the Sahara, Kalahari and veldt?

February 18, 2020
Love Challenge 7

You are loved and admired I am your biggest fan and friend You are God’s gift and love to me

February 18, 2020
Thoughts on Love

We don’t know what we miss or get when we make decisions concerning relationships. Sometimes what we seek might come packaged in disguise. Love is dynamic and may come in different shades. If you love someone, do not hesitate to tell them. Have a lovely night. Our love challenge continues tomorrow.

February 17, 2020
Love Challenge 6B

Your words become silent lyrics to my soul When every evening we lay in each others arms Letting our thoughts roar with the warm fire Dreaming, resting by the fireside, away From the world and her noisy hustle

February 17, 2020
Love Challenge 6

The hair on your hands are like reeds That flourish by the river side Light chocolate is your skin colour

February 17, 2020
Love Challenge 5

On your face the sun rise Like vale-lands hidden by the high hills The dark is pushed away when you wake

February 17, 2020
The Cricket’s Sorrow

I laid my bones down to rest An airy night, dark and quiet, When a thought swept over me I was still awake When I heard it I heard it screech A cold voice, not far from me I paused, listened A neighbor coughed from the next flat and bothered it So quietness stayed for…

February 16, 2020
Love Challenge 4

You make my heart merry In my dreams I see your face And wake to your beautiful smile

February 16, 2020
Thoughts on Friendships and Personal Autonomy

I received several messages from close friends, complaining of the way their friends or partners treat them. I tried to see reason from different angles so that I can make an impartial judgment. Being right is not a guarantee that people will treat you well, and returning people’s favours is not ideal too. Well, we…

February 16, 2020
Love Challenge 3

The swift surge of the evening air Compares not to your amazing smile Your glittering teeth, oh splendor of my soul

February 16, 2020
Love Challenge 2B

I don’t care what people say I admire your soul, your drive Your spirit and how you love me I love you back, that’s what matters

February 15, 2020
Love Challenge 2

Like graceful deer you walk, The soft sound of your foot thrill me, Thrills softly the drums of my heart

February 15, 2020
Images: Growing Up

These images show children having fun in the African countryside. I can relate to most if not all…

February 15, 2020
Love Challenge 1

Your words are sweet like honey Freshly taken from combs off tree barks And melting in my lips, like butter on fire

February 15, 2020
African morning

In the morning the mild golden sun rise above the huts and hills Painting the corn fields yellow and making the streams shimmer Upon flowing rivers it glitters, till the dead end below a tree root Big fishes stay ready to strafe up to pick insects off tree barks In the hamlets, dogs chased cats,…

February 15, 2020