Oke’s Musings: Poetry, People and Places

Tag: america

  • What This Blog Is Turning Toward This Year

    New Year Rigmarole You know, there’s just something about having to witness the New Year in California. We’re always one of the last places on Earth to welcome the new year. I have to celebrate “Happy New Year” with everyone, and even take a nap before I get to mine. Sometimes I tell my friends…

  • The Bee and The Bloom

    A bumblebee buzzed with bumbling grace,Zipping and dipping all over the place.It spotted a flower, so red and sweet,And said, “Well hello there—my sugary treat!” It wiggled and jiggled and landed just right,Its belly fuzzy, with stripes shining bright.Then whispered, “Dear flower, don’t mind if I stay,I’m just here for nectar… and maybe to play.”

  • So… It Actually Rained in LA

    It’s Friday evening, and I have some free time to write a few lines—I’m not sure if that’s a thing. No matter. A few days ago, I saw my first heavy rain in Los Angeles and got drenched trying to escape it! I’d heard the rumors — that rain in Los Angeles is rare, dramatic,…

  • Summer Nights in Albuquerque

    Hot Days, Calm Evenings Interestingly, the winds decided to be gentle this evening. The day had been extremely hot, and I sometimes wonder if this is the exact Albuquerque that was chilly just a few weeks ago. I prefer summer evenings to the sweltering days because the heat lessens, allowing everyone to breathe a sigh…

  • Quote on Elephants

    How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time! – Desmond Tutu

  • Shades of Mount Sandia

    Mount Sandia will rise majestically. Its silhouette reminds me of a picturesque landscape painted on an expansive canvas. The view from which it is observed influences its allure. For instance, on Easter Sunday, I was fortunate enough to witness the sunrise, with her golden rays piercing the horizon, casting a divine light that bathed the…

  • Video: Summer Feel

    I promised to write about my recent encounters with birds, but this post is not about that. I just wanted to share some short videos I captured. Some of my followers might wonder why I post about night-related events like evening clouds, but trust me; I’m not a vampire—I take walks whenever I feel like…

  • Diary of a Village Boy: The Leopard Spirit 11 (Tales By Moonlight 1)

    When the moonlight came, the villagers would gather at the Square near Eze’s palace to share stories and tales. Children and even some adults eagerly looked forward to this time. It was a joyful period for the village, as everyone could come together to have fun—playing games, solving riddles, and telling folktales. The first storyteller…

  • Albuquerque’s Blue Clouds

    Floating blue clouds basking in self-esteem, clear skies demonstrating their power of invisibility, and a chilly mountain climate are the norms for me here. Why not enjoy this captivating view while it lasts? I may print these beautiful New Mexico images and sign them as postcards. Like the aircraft passing above, the permanence of my…

  • Providence

    As the outdoor bulb lights softly illuminate the landscape, I can’t help but notice the wild grass gently swaying in the calm winds. The fresh scent of evening dew fills the air, creating a serene atmosphere on this beautiful desert night. Patches of brush are scattered around, and familiar shadows of the bushes dance across…

  • Santa Fe 2

    The highlands and homes are ancient, surrounded by a uniform hue of brown light. Santa Fe stretches across the valley, showcasing its abundant daylight and beauty. The crisscrossing roads create uneven patterns, while automobiles scuttle through the intersections like cockroaches. The blue, inviting clouds of Santa Fe is unique, awesome, and cherished.

  • Sandia Mountain

    Sandia Mountain This impressive escarpment is a natural beauty I appreciate more each time I see it. Sandia and other abundant mountains in New Mexico are essential to its splendor. The landscape, which is somewhat desert-like but not entirely desert, stretches against apparent blue horizons. I feel the vibes of the movie The Good, The…

  • Patterns 3

    Look at the peaks; they are citadels without motionAnd crevices cut in perfect lines on the mountainsLook at trees; they dance together in the windTheir branches and leaves in peaceful unisonLook at worms; they crawl and inscribe patternsOn Earth, they author unblemished marks and signsLook at the moon, with its glossy morningsAnd the happiness and…

  • Train to Santa Fe

    Verse 1: Mountains and Vast GrasslandDry streambeds in a whileLonely cattle here and thereVast plains overlooking peaksHills grow into mountainsAnd mountains touch the clouds Verse 2: Rainfall and Gloomy CloudsThere’s raindrops on windowsA lullaby of metal and rainTunnels, bridges, creaking,The clouds play hide and seekAnd sunlight is half amused Verse 3: Villages and Happy FolksClay…

  • Amuse: Stand-off

    Sunset and a stand-off with a handsome strangerHair fuzzy, I wonder why it stood its groundOver the golden horizon, retreating birds watch the calm wagerUpon this lonely highway, time will tell who gets the upper hand

  • San Francisco, First part

    City by the BayBig heart, big ups,Where imploring sun raysAnd dreams stay View the multitude of automobilesCockcroaching through lengthy tunnels,The shine from their radiant metals ricochet,Bouncing off on glass and seawater Soothing sea breezesWelcoming, flirty winds, With drifting ululating seagullsReach out to the setting sun Big City by the BayMajor hub, big startups,Where desires aboundThe…

  • Nightfall

    NightfallShades sailEvening’s callWind and chill MoonlightChirping cricketsTwilight’s elementsAlive and about

  • Blue Oak Reserve, California

    Welcome to Blue Oak Nature Reserve Blue Oak Reserve, over 3000 acres of beautiful partly wooded wilderness, sprawls across vast pockets of break-taking landscape decorated by canyons, trees, and grassland. There are a lot of open fields with forests dotting specific points. Oak trees are in abundance, and so are other native species. I like…

  • Lake Poem

    The calm lake lies quietSome of its parts greenOr reflects bluish huesIn them, bullfrogs hideFrom murky watersThey commandeer all,With deep, loud bassThe lake may be quietGrumpy bullfrogs aren’t

  • Oak Wilderness

    Pockets of green, here and thereSpread across a vast wildernessBlue skies, roaming deer, and harePretty birds in a reptile paradise The night will convey dark cloudsStreams flow into a wonder lakeWith the sound of life piping loudAll for this gentle oak land’s sake

  • Nevadan Snowman

    I stood admiring the shores of the blue and beautiful Lake Tahoe on the Nevadan side. Around the corner was a snow park where mountains stood still carved out of the skies. The noon warmth kept the windy air in check. Hot rays from the sun cut deep through my sunglasses but I sit busy—working…

  • Eclipse Day

    It’s amazing how we can’t see it directly but need special equipment to do so. Do you now agree that many things happen we are unaware of? Happy Eclipse Day.

  • University of California, Berkeley

    What colleges have you attended? Before heading to America for my master’s, I did my diploma and undergraduate education at Abia State Polytechnic and the University of Uyo, both in Nigeria. Currently, I’m completing my graduate education at America’s premier public institution—the University of California Berkeley. Cal, or UC Berkeley as it is called, is…

  • Berkeley, California

    Do you have a favorite place you have visited? Where is it? Berkeley, in California, is a beautiful place to live. It’s a hilly town with an abundance of greens and orderly streets. In this city is the pioneer and famous University of California campus. There are wild turkeys, deer, squirrels, and bobcats and lots…

  • Big Sur; The Streams Rush In Haste

    The sound of the streams happy haste is music to my ears and joy to my soul

  • Merry Christmas from California

    Merry Christmas dear friends. This will be my first Christmas holiday away from home. It’s been a long holiday so far. The ever-busy streets of UC Berkeley have become a ghost town. The roads are empty and bare of cars. One can confidently stand to take pictures on the roads. The fine houses and magnificent…

  • Bay Area Tide

    Dry airs float off these hillsGloomy weather, sun paradiseThe Bay Area tide refreshes allWindy streets and solemn nights When grey clouds gather aboveTree leaves fall on the roadTwists turns to meet the floorAnd the wind takes them out Lines of streetlights glowThere glow bounce off the tarmacMists draw strange caricaturesThe darkness consuming those

  • Reflection: Evening Walk

    Birds tweeting, squirrel foraging, and Berkeley’s hilly and beautiful landscapes, coupled with the scent of fresh grass – of mints possibly, remind me of home. The roadside is littered with green grass, and up the steps, wild turkeys pick the ground for worms. I saw a tiny bird circling the foot of a tree, which…

  • Hilly Berkeley

    Dear friends, The image above is of wood in Berkeley, California. And yes, there are deer and wild cats in the woods. In such an environment, reptiles – snakes and lizards are abundant. There are numerous bird species. Some species are new to me or I have read about them in books or seen them…

  • UC Berkeley (Settling Down)

    California is exactly what I dreamed it would be The clean streets, diversity of people, and hills represent nature, all in an inspirational school setting lined by joy-bringing trees. Where there are trees, be sure to catch a glimpse of birds that add their musical presence to the scenery. From my room, I can hear…

  • America

    Dear friends, Forgive me, I arrived at UC Berkeley from Frankfurt yesterday after sitting on a plane for 13 hours. Timezones changed. Unpacking, registrations, and preparing for classes took their toll on me. As part of my apology I’ll upload a song I’m fond of. Well, I’m energized, I’m empowered and I’m loved. You know,…

  • Frankfurt

    I felt my spirit rise with the gliding aeroplane And now my dear friends, the journey has started. I’m in Frankfurt, heading to the US. I’m going to start my masters degree in the US. Stay tuned.

  • Why it is important to have a plan in life with Piere Ingrams.

    Piere Ingrams says replace bad habits with good ones. From Ohio, USA, Piere takes us on why it is important to have a plan. Good morning from Africa!

  • Biafran Babies

    I heard your songs soar through the thick forests, through the fields But the wind hid the song, your voice and your face from the world You were told to keep quiet, but if the hunger won’t let you from crying out Daada will have to drop you, so that the soldiers won’t find our…