Oke’s Musings: Poetry, People and Places

Tag: writing

  • Notes on Leisure

    What do you enjoy doing most in your leisure time? This is a response to the prompt above. Leisure, for me, isn’t the opposite of work; it’s where I reconnect with myself. I enjoy unclaimed time—time that doesn’t require me to produce, justify, or perform. During these moments, thinking slows and becomes less goal-focused. I…

  • 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…

  • 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,…

  • Patterns 4

    It’s the weekend and the last day of February 2025! What better way to start than by appreciating the beauty around us? This morning, I captured white-lined patterns in the dreamy blue skies. I also noticed shapes that resemble fingers on the tree branches. The blue clouds today seem so surreal that I can’t help…

  • My Father’s Book Collections

    Describe an item you were incredibly attached to as a youth. What became of it? I was fond of my father’s book collections. Most of them I have read several times. The books were kept in the countryside, and each time I went home, I had something to read. The collection included Shakespeare and Oscar…

  • Creative Writing

    How are you creative? I started this blog in 2012; I wasn’t sure what to make of it. However, I knew that I wanted to use it as an avenue to express my thoughts and creativity. Writing poetry and narrative essays also exhibited my creative pursuits and has been instrumental to my academic endeavors. Talking…

  • Friendship

    What relationships have a positive impact on you? Friends are family we chose for ourselves Friendship is illustrated in love, sympathy, kindness, loyalty, generosity, forgiveness, altruism, mutual understanding, compassion, trust, and the ability to be oneself and to express one’s feelings. I have friends who have contributed to my success in life. Many have offered…

  • Penguins of Madagascar

    What’s your favorite cartoon? I liked many TV shows, but I enjoyed The Penguins of Madagascar, the series the most. It was my family show as everyone gathered at night to see the sequel. King Julien was a laughable character, and so was his minions. The Penguins were intelligent, funny, and cute. I thought about…

  • Publishing

    What have you been putting off doing? Why? One thing I have been lazy about is publishing. It’s been on my mind and to-do list for a long time. However, it requires some financial commitment, which may have been my major discouragement. I have manuscripts of drama, poetry, and short stories. I also have many…

  • Play and Work

    In what ways does hard work make you feel fulfilled? Let’s start this prompt with a short poem I wrote some time ago. I call it Play or Labor. Play green locust, hopTake a swerve, make a loopWatch days turn into dismal years Labor brown ant, toilMorn and noon, dig the soil,Gather seeds before bitter…

  • Travel-Blogging

    List three jobs you’d consider pursuing if money didn’t matter. I would love to be a writer and, indeed, working towards that. My writing started back in high school. Then, I liked playing with words and wrote poems of love. I’m also interested in becoming a travel blogger. It is a dream to travel around…

  • Poem: Writing

    What do you enjoy most about writing? Writing is a useful ancient craftThat aroused my passion and museBy teaching me more about myselfIt had reminded me of my cleverness

  • Don’t Give Up

    Dreams are like songs. Keep singing; keep it alive. Dance if you may; spice it up. Don’t stop singing; never give up.

  • 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,…

  • Reflection: Faces

    Faces I am worried that my village would be a changed place when I return. It’s been a while since I left and I wonder what changed. I daydreamed on the bus as it sped down the hill. Palm trees crawled past, I lost count. The clouds seem to change with each turn but the…

  • Go With The Wind

    Go where the wind goes, where sunset is gold, where hills, rise and fall and discover the world.

  • Night Song

    when night decides to play a song it will be a throbbing lullaby on the roof, flying insects buzzing by the window tally to this exhilarating night sound, and howling from the wind, so deep resound, whereas the night is young

  • Quote: Love

    Love knows no colour or creed or nation. It’s a torch that, if appropriately harnessed, can heal and overcome anything – Oke Iroegbu.

  • ShepherdLore: Music of Nature

    Tree roots are favorite chairs, the velvety mushrooms cushions, My thoughts drown in the music of nature, the sheep and birds

  • The Leopard Spirit 7

    Papa said I had to be vital to attend the following 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 exercised seriously. The moonlight night tales occur once in a fortnight; sometimes, they may be delayed, especially during…

  • I’m on Patreon!

    Hi Friends, I just created my Patreon profile and would appreciate any support you can render to keep this blog going. I’ve included a little note on why I seek help on the ‘About Patreon Page.’ If you want to be a patron, please follow the link below: https://www.patreon.com/oiroegbu. Thank you so much! Yours’ Oke…

  • 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…

  • Parenting

    Power in words This is a touching story. When I read it I felt very bad. It’s not imagined. In South Africa, an 11 year old child committed suicide on his mother’s birthday as a birthday gift to his mother. He left a letter saying, “On today’s special day, I want you to be the…

  • Time

    Make hay while it shines This talent of mine… This is one talent I find solace in. It’s an avenue to paint my heart on ink, to play with the soul of nature and record lovely and beautiful memories. In my mind I create a happy and peaceful world; where I live in fine images…

  • Self Reflection 29: Perseverance

    Fall seven times and stand up eight. –Japanese Proverb

  • Memories

    You remind me of home, far away, Fine memories I cherish each day

  • 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…

  • Thoughts: Look Within

    Africa is scarred by pangs of unemployment. Things drift from bad to worse. Things like good education, health care, clean water and equal opportunity, seem to run from our grasp. These things may have fallen apart. What is the remedy to fix this trend? While African universities produce more graduates, the economy won’t be able…

  • Gods masterpiece, my inspiration

    The clouds sing of Your Glory mighty One The wind surf the mild waters of the ocean Nature is just one of  Your Great masterpiece The Earth is Your masterpiece She spins up the space like a speck of dust Which fall with the others when it is time The snow melts down into the…

  • African desire

    My land is green Africa, my Africa Together we win, My humble desire   Your arms are long like the bamboo weed The smoothness of the riverside air sooth it The hornet, the weavers all spread your seed And with joy, we come to you to inherit   Your moments are fun, beautiful, we are…

  • The African mist

    1. The mists still settle upon the hamlet The hills, the vales and the green forests All is treacherously hidden in it One must tread very carefully, lest You step on a stray scorpion or serpent Or fall into a ditch or a fast flowing rivulet The morning took the place of the night And…

  • Farewell

    Farewell to thee city It is time I move I long to stay But something else calls I wish to play But if I do, what shall I gain? The clouds are grey All is solemn But despair not I shall continue to write To paint colors To draw smiles on faces To tell tales…