samuel nze - poems · a tale of two birds this is a tale of two birds sitting on the wall; one was...

Poetry Series

samuel nze- poems -

Publication Date: 2007

Publisher:Poemhunter.com - The World's Poetry Archive

samuel nze(13th October 1980) Was born to a middle class family; became orphan in 1992; love to read and topray - hope to be big someday.

1www.PoemHunter.com - The World's Poetry Archive

A Friend, My Friend I sit and think of youKenechukwu.Last night I had a curiousDream.My best friend saw you beside meAnd grew jealous;Who is this?He asks in a huff,Black spectacles closingCrimson red eyes.A friend, I sayUnready to precipitate offense.A friend or your friend?I am at a loss then;Where lies the bifurcationBetween a friend and my friend?Jude, I do not know.If it is bile that eats you,Then know thatYou are my best friend,My everythingAnd Kc is justA friend, my friend? samuel nze


A Good Man Is A Rich One The road to my house is badBut men who live there are goodA good man is a rich oneIt is so they say You are good but care lessFor what is not in your parlorPlunk, plank, slurp, dashThe motorists and cyclists go You watch them and smileDark sinister guffawYou are irresponsibleAnd unconcerned Are you really good thenUnpatriotic though you beIf they insist you areThey are not like me. samuel nze


A Kiss May Mean Anything One must not take love wronglyA kiss may mean anythingEmotion gets physical in different waysIf planted on the headThink of me alwaysIs a likely import for a kissPlanted on the cheeks it callsFor fraternity even in strainOn the back of the handWhat other meaning than adorationFor the one belovedOr on the feet unreserved worship indeedIt is only when a manKisses his wife full on the lipsThat romance is exclusively expressedThey lock in passionate embraceTumbling to the floorIn throes of devouring passionMaking bashful sounds they will disdainIn the somberness of morningIt is not so I feel for my best friendWith him every touchIs only a call to truer fraternityThat one heart may sincerely love the otherAs unto itself. samuel nze


A Man Should Have Respect A man should have respectHis case may not accord him that,Nor his situationYet he must feel self worth. A man must have respectHe may be poorAnd destituteBut he is a child of God. He is a spark of the SpiritHe is a wonder in himselfHe is uniqueThe greatest of animals. A man will have respectPrimordiality may refuse him itBut he will strive all he mayTo clinch it still. samuel nze


A Meal For Seven Days It was a meal for seven days;He ate the meat on SundayAnd the fruit saladThe next day.On Tuesday he licked up the brothAnd downed the dessertEven before the main.It is Thursday with plain rice,No broth, no meat - nothing.There still has to goFriday, Saturday and whatWill he do?He looks at the rice and sighs,Then he prays to the Esoteric -How am I to eat plain whiteWith no broth at all?There is a knock at the door,Rat tat tat ta!It's a pretty girl in from the martsWho says savingly,I thought I should bring youA factory-made soup. samuel nze


A Robber's Apologia Dusk has arrived,Cover for my game;Vehemence is swifter,It will be tonight.Pa goes drinking,Ma will be asleep;Siblings are hampered,The dark woos.Purpose denies malice,I bear Earth no ill;She toughened my resolve,Gave me weapons too.I must survive,So too my kin;We have no fault,Except to be poor. samuel nze


A Tale Of Two Birds This is a tale of two birdsSitting on the wall;One was not named Peter,Even if the other was Paul.They did not either fly awayOnly to return,They sat still on the wallGazing into each other's eyes.They were in love;That mad emotionTied them taut to the wallAnd each other's company.We are like those birds, honeyAs we sit across this dinner table;That rhythm on the radioWas composed for us.It speaks of the spark in your eyes,Glasses or misty silver;Your lips quiver,Are you saying something?Your voice is richAnd the words articulateWe sit at our tableAnd stare at each other,The chemistry overwhelms me;Your beauty entrances,Draws me nearer nearerTo the heart from whichI cannot escape. samuel nze


Agaracha A Guo Miles It is thirty days sinceAgaracha returnedAgaracha a guo milesHe said he went to SpainTo buy fine linenAgaracha a guo milesFine linen for what?To sell in the stallsAgaracha a guo milesOnly linen?Well, some lace tooAgaracha a guo milesOnly lace?Well, some brocade tooAgaracha a guo milesOnly brocade?You ask too many questionsAgaracha a guo milesTell me to sit downAnd find some cold droughtAgaracha a guo miles. samuel nze


Agony One tear dropwalked down my cheekslowlyhe was on errand formy bleeding hearthe wanted alonebut business was heavynot a one-man stuntmore tears served the deficitissued from the sameAgony sends them allfrom her chair in my heartshe is a tyrantthat fills us with dread. samuel nze


Alive I am quarrelingWith security;Failing to believeI am endangered. I am strugglingWith health;Failing to acceptI am sick. I am dissatisfiedWith love;Failing to decideI am hated. I am bickeringWith comfort;Failing to acceptI am poor. I think I may be paranoid;My heart beatsWith anticipation,Refusing halting. I think I may be fretful;My mind rotatesWith worry,Disdaining comfort. I think I may be ungrateful;My will confoundsWith ambition,Resisting providence. I think I may be silly;My pulse quickensWith gusto,Refusing mending.


Am I paranoidWhen I secure myselfAgainst everythingI do not grasp? Am I sickWhen I worry too muchAbout a futureI cannot control? Am I ungratefulWhen I forget to sayThank youFor even little things? Am I badWhen I control lifeTaking fewer chancesSwelling my pride? samuel nze


All Africa Feel me talk proudHear me talk loudOf Africa, the black landThe Sahel and the sand Among swarthy menThe rythm and rumbaThe samba and the congaIn the land of the oil den My Africa is belovedOf the setting sunIn the evening, tiredI loll and have fun With the sea in my earThe wind is in full gearI am happy and smugMy ridges are all dug. samuel nze


Am I A Man? Sometimes I see the gaiety around me andI ask myself if I amA part of it all;Am I a man -Do I feel good enough about myself?These are some of the thingsI wonder whenHaving woken upOn the bad side of the bedI feel like sleeping again. samuel nze


Am I Alone In This? Sometimes I wonder ifPeople understand me;They often go awayNot understandingWhat I want to say;I need them to come with me,To see things the way I do;I want them to understand and not run,Not leave me a loner;I too love company,But I do not love it more than truth. samuel nze


Amity Amity, it is your faithThat inspires me to write;You tell me that no matter whatI must believe in love. Amity, I have a girlfriendWho is so stubborn;She says there is someone elseBut will not talk about him. She agrees to go places with meShe spends my money;She is ready to playBut mention love and she flees. Amity, shall I continue to hopeIn what frustrates me so;Shall I continue to thinkShe pulls my legs? Amity, girls are so complexWhy must we love them;They make life hardIt's like breaking a ballast! Amity, I have triedI may soon leave her;I know I care for herBut does she care for me too? samuel nze


An African Evening Blunder of a fatherFailure of a motherBad childrenWith bleak futureThey look to me with pitiful eyes.I see that little girlSitting on a stool by the road.She is shouting'Cold pure water! 'She wants me to buyHydrogen dioxide ina polythene sachetBut I have no money.I ignore her shrillsAnd concentrate on the roadOkada riders try to shunt trafficThen the accident occurs.BloodBits of fleshCoagulating spleen matterShocking vituperationsIs she dead?Apparently the head is hitAnd the tommy torn openThe rescuers come hurrying awayFrom the goof they'd been smokingUp and helpThe skirmish stuns me.I look awayTo the shops over there.I see a fat womanStanding before the yam seller.How much?The seller tries to phoneticizeShe frames her lips for the offensiveTerry naira ownly pleezWhat are you saying?Asks a disgusted buyerThe seller had thought


It was a contestBuyer refuses to speak vernacularSeller must follow suitAfter all, she too had some schoolingOnly that the cruel handsOf ugly destinyKept her behind yams each evening.You say tarty naira?YepDo you want to sell at all?Seller does not know ifThe quarrel is with costOr phoneticization.Test.Cancel phoneticization, the cheaperOf the two and see the resultO bu naira iri atoOkayGive me twoThat will be sixty naira.Clearly the quarrel had beenWith phoneticization.Bad world.No one wants you to be somebodySlavery the livelong day.I sighI look at the skyIs God there at all?No need to worry about him anyways.So I concentrate on my thoughts.Africa is like that eveningLike the girl shrillingAbout cold waterLike the okada rider tryingTo shunt trafficLike the fat woman hating English inA seller's mouthLike me with no money inMy back pocket wallet.They say the black manHas no soulRather I should say


The black soulHas no man.Do you get my pointOr should I write a treatise first? samuel nze


Angry Words When we make arrogant soundsIn anger we spoil somethingBile and bad bloodFill our chest and chokeThrottles us to spitDiatribes and illIt is what we sayThat shows what is in our heartSad heart, sad wordsBitter heart, bitter wordsAngry heart, angry wordsThe story never changes.Proud words said in angerNot stoppedNot checkedThese words are like fireOn a roof of common thatch. samuel nze


Any Lost Cause? What have you been fighting forWhat is the reason for the sweatThat cleaves to your browThat tired gruntling? I have a feeling you are discouragedWorried about a situationYou seemingly cannot manageYou are despondent. Why - is there a lost causeSomething you had spent energy onOnly to see it fall like a pack of cardsYour life's work wasted at your feet? There is no lost causeYou have tried and failedBut recall LincolnHe tried and tried and tried again. samuel nze


Aphroditus Laurence and MaryWere two loversLiving in MexicoAnd sharing a neighbourhoodMary was a princessBut Laurence was an orphanHe loved herBut she felt he wasBeneath her standardYet he continued to hopeLast year he sent meAn email to sayThat Mary was contemplatingMarriage to another manOlder and richerOf higher social standingAnd what should he doI am worriedCan Mary do that to himEven when she knew he loved herNot to mention all theTime they had shared togetherOr the kiss that eveningWhen for the first time he saidI love you samuel nze


As Is Said I do not promise thatIt will be easyAll I affirm is thatIt will be possible. I want to encourage youTo keep on strivingUntil at last you make it.The heights reachedBy great men we are toldWere not reached at sudden flightBut they while theirCompanions slept worked upwardsThrough the night. samuel nze


As Little Children As little childrenAt the block rosary we sangAround the altarSinging praising marchingThose songs dull;The praise leaves our heartsWe are too tired to marchEven now we watchFor those strainsBringing back nostalgic memories andAnother lease of youthTo an old heart. samuel nze


As The Dawn Comes. As the dawn comesI remember what mama used to sayYou are a manNever you forgetThe truth is that we lose our identityAs we chase the windI ask myself againWhat my lot here isOne day I will dieWhat legacy will I leave then?The truth is that we lose our identityAs we chase the windIt has been said thatBeing siblings is like waking in one roomIn the morning each findsHis own wayThe truth is that we lose our identityAs we chase the windEven saints tell their LordLet no human tie however dearPrevent me fromFollowing the way to GodThe truth is that we lose our identityAs we chase the wind. samuel nze


Beauty Deserves Praise Beauty deserves praise;If a gecko falls from a wallUpon your face,What can it mean -That your foes wish youTo fall out of favour?But if you are strongly attractiveNo matter what they do,You will always succeedIn keeping your friends. samuel nze


Because You Have No Money When you carry an empty purseIt becomes too heavy;A fuller one would be preferable,By far the lighter! The weight is in your heart,Burdensome worry;There is a passioned heavingThat betrays insecurity. Because you have no moneyYou cannot think straight,Artists make first impressionsWith the paper of your face.Unskilled etchersIn your heart are responsibleFor the bad pictorial outcome:Sadness, insecurity and grief. samuel nze


Berna Berna, Berna, Berna my sister-o!AyayaBerna, Berna, Berna my sister-o!AyayaWherever chewing gum goes,Berna goes;AyayaWherever sweet goes,Berna goesAyayaBerna - ayayaBerna - ayayaBerna, Berna, Berna - ayayaBerna my sister-o!AyayaWhistles blow for BernaAyayaDrums beat for BernaAyayaBerna, Berna, Berna - ayayaBerna my sister-o!Ayaya. samuel nze


Better Make It Our World Better make it our worldWhere no one lords the otherWe parley and combine brawnYou refuse to outwit me You cannot judge my futureYou donot decry me pastYou let me swim undisturbedIn the river of my soul When I shake off the harnessAnd reach for the golden gatesWhen I breathe the drought of airThat sifts in through the window When I take your hand in mineAs we skirt the brambled bushWhen we loll in the eveningWe become more truly one. samuel nze


Black Pastors This is a black country,Many souls are black with the soil;Their soles march the dustBut their hearts are even dustier.There is struggling for everything;In the church the pastorEncourages the congregationTo give to the Lord cheerfully;They eat the fat of the peopleAnd the lean is reserved for theWorkers in the pews;They say that to him who hasMore is givenBut from him who has notEven the little he does isTaken away -By the pastors I suppose? samuel nze


Blessing God tells me softlyCan you dance for me, son?I ask Him whyAnd He respondsJust to watch you rejoice He blesses me full for each day,A God of bounteous love;I feast for each hourIn His loving embrace thatEnraptures my being;Soft and reassuring,A God of benevolent joy. God tells me deeplyCan you kiss me, son?I ask Him howAnd He respondsOn the lips of the one you love samuel nze


Blissful Ignorance. My mother would hissAt a youth smoking indian hempThese days I know notWhat children are up toShe would curse the worldAnd preach with gustoNo one who suckled at my breastWould touch that smelly stuffShe knows not what my brothers doAnd she enjoys the ignoranceThese ones who suckled at her breastCould they really be doing what they are? samuel nze


Bottled Feelings A bewitching hunger to writeTakes over meWhen I see a paper and a penFeelings bottled in since yesterdayRush to be expressedChoke me to obligeThe neat white of the paperAttracts the nibCalls for a kissNay an intercourseThat bearsBlue symbols of meaningWe both gaze at these symbolsAnd new feelingsBegin to bottle up over again. samuel nze


Boys Are Simple And Short Boys are simple and shortGirls are complex and longBut both are human beings -How different! Boys will say I love youGirls will say give me timeBut both feel the same thing -How different! Boys lay their case straightGirls beat about the bushBut both care for each other -How different! Boys give themselves upGirls want to be chasedBut both need friendship -How different! samuel nze


Breathe Feeling like the power of radioSpeaks discernedly to my mind to drownUninformed confidence that shows itselfAkin to the wind at times erratic The spoiled brunt of young oligopolyMasterminded by untold mysteries pastFinds expression by dawn of gaunt acclaimTo ransom slaves and would-be's just the same Arising from summary slumber henceThe untold mythology of ten spiritsDares anthropologists to quiz the quirkAnd deities to feast on its entrails Abounding in ghostly affectationFording the obstacles to its summitLordly in its own shoddy appraisalBasking in the bliss of folly at dusk. samuel nze


Busy I sit before my computer, busyMost people are like meEncouraged to be busyIn our fast world - always. I sit before my booksCramming hard stuff into myOtherwise soft brainSo that I can succeed - always. I will be at the factory tomorrowBusy like others thereWe all are to fabricate this or thatIt is one business or another - always. samuel nze


Buy Your Own They are not happyPlaying kalo-kaloAnd drinking palm wineIn their villageTheir mates are in LagosDriving big carsThe lean face left overFrom yesterday's quarrelOver the land at the forked bushLooks regretfully at the flyThat perches on theOkporoko that she ganishedWith bitterleaf soup and nsamHe stares viciously at this intruderHe raises his handAnd strikes at the fiendOne smack and it is deadThen comes the spiteful hissWhy can't you buy your own! samuel nze


Can We Talk For A Minute? Can we talk for a minute?Yes?What will you be about?Are you in a hurry then? QuestionsIs all we get,And a Nigerian respondsTo questions with more. We should talkAbout this and thatAnd that other;We should talk aboutThe one and then the otherThe other and then the one. If you have an answer,Give it to me;I tire of your endless quizzes;We live in a worldThat craves for solutions,You, and I as well. samuel nze


Celestial Sessions Celestial sessions areWhere God decides casesOn men and destinies.'Let all be black now! 'Curtains open on mysterious light,Halo of haloes,Radiance of celestial grace,God is on the throne;All hail!'Let Angel Michael approachThe Holy of Holies.'CherubimSeraphimAngelic choirs ring out their voices,Holy holy holy,Lord God Almighty,The earth is full ofYour astonishing beauty;You formed the PlaidesAnd Orion - who can compareTo you?The glassy sea triesTo encapsulate yourDivine presence and fails.God, you are indeedA sight to behold.MillionsThrongsArmiesArmaggedonHalts for the deity,Bows to his throneKisses his feet;Aura,Rays of imperceptible light,God is enthronedOn the sunWith the moon for rainment;His empire stretches


From sea to sea;North, where the cold killsBut eskimos bear it;East, where ideologiesConflict with one anotherBut moslems pray still;West, where technology takes leapsAs Bill Gates sitsTight on Microsoft;South, where aboriginesAre chased off their landBy forces tougher than they.God saw Tsunami wobbleOn the pillars that holdThe earth up.God saw the soldiers stake children in Dafur,But he is GodAnd no one canQuestion him.All around me is beautyIn his divine presence;LightGoldDazzleSparksOf silver from the sleek sea,In there the fishAre similarly singingPraise to this munificient deity;His name is extolledOver all the earth,On his head is the crownOf a million aeonsAnd beyond;He alone knows it all;He saw best how the Tuaregs crossed the SaharaAnd Armstrong landed on the moon;God is the chief deity,He sits enthroned stillOn his pavilionOn the sun;Sing


ExultRing out your joyAnd let the melody endureFor our God,Then hushAs the celestial sessionBegins;Approach you suppliant.My lordI am an orphan,My father is deadAnd my mother too.Celeatial secretaries pen thisBefore our God.You say you are an orphan?Yes my lord,I suppose you know that -Proceed!You have no right to suggest toThe Lord.Rise in your splendour,Lord God of hosts,Let them know they are only men;But the Lord is slow to anger,Abounding in love.Proceed.As I was saying -Forget what you were sayingBring your matterBefore our God,We know you lost your parentsPretty youngAnd Freud has saidIt is a catastrophe.What now is the matter?Thank you my lord,I see the sessionProceeds swiftly;I am destitute.Is that all;And what about that,What serves your destitution?


It is the so-calledUncles you gave me,They have pushed me offIn envy.Thunderous sounds,The celestials jump,I block my earsAnd quake in terror;What was that!Hold it - our God laughs,But he is done now,You may go on.Why laugh, my lord?You say your unclesPushed you off,I dare say you ran away!Alright, suit yourself,Maybe I did;They made life unbearable.And now?Well, you gave me a scholarship -That obviously you have used up,And now you whine;Tell me, O court,Is this son of mine not extravagant?No my lord,I will speak in my defenceLest the accuser of our brethrenTake it upon himself to answerYour quiz -No, spare me the intricaciesI pray you -Huhn? God begs a man,Celestial courts are in turmoil!Halt.Be brief thenWhat is your request?I want money,Lots of it.Why?To be a man,To hack my enemies


To the cheekbone,To build a house to myFather,To gather my siblings togetherTo my mother.All good.Celestial session approves;You shall haveWhat you crave.But how, Lord,How shall I get the money,Through some miracle?No.You have talents,Skills, proclivities - you know,Go use them;My world is perfect,I try to tell my critics that;In the soilAt strategic pointsI have hidden treasure,You will have to find it;I for my partWill make sure you succeed.I see.Well, well, son;Now you see.Michael!Yes my lord?Go see to itThat he hasAll he asks.Thank you my lord,You are myAll-sufficiency.Amen.Dark thickensAnd my reverie ends;Have I trulyBeen to heaven and back?O celestial tranceI am in your awe


I have never been this filledWith stupendous wonderAt the proud pwerThat is our God's,But now I know. samuel nze


Christmas Is Dry This Year In the past in NigeriaChristmas was excitingGay and merryFiner than a cherry Not so anymore todayChristmas is dry this yearThere is no money to spendNo one even wants to lend Chickens are no longer afraidOf the sharp bladeNo one will buy them stillNot anyone will them kill We eat yesterday's mealsInstead of the new riceThe shops are fullAnd the traders cannot us pull samuel nze


Cold Cure my fever if you canIt is not physicalMy ailment lies deep insideMy pithy chordal sacks I am coldNot feverish, pleaseJust empty underThe heat of the sun Love is lost foreverOr so it seemsJilted again and painedWhat more enjoys? Hold me thenRemove my shirtit's so hotBut I really am cold. samuel nze


Come Back Come back to those daysWhen I took you in my armsAnd loved youWhen I looked at youAnd saw myselfWhen I had faithThat you would alwaysBe there for meI was ready to cross the seaWith you by my sideI was ready to dare the devilBecause you were beside meI was ready to do the hardestTo win your approvalCome back to those days whenI knew I had to have youClose by me forever. samuel nze


Contemplation When I contemplate the ages pastAnd quiz the depths of lifeMystery is all I getFor my labours.The birds are flyingAnd chirping;The tall trees dare the clouds,Men and women go about theirTravails with unrest in their souls.I observe the moods of spiritsIf that be possible,Sighs that source deep in the heart;I try to understand the essenceOf painful musing, butI see I never can, either waysAnyway. samuel nze


Convenient Wedding It is her wedding today,The bridal maids have wornTheir I-shall-be'sSo that one will catch the bouquet.A bucket of waterIs by the corner to welcomeMany men migrating mostlyFrom Kwara, the groom's townAnd from Ankara as well.I sit and stare at the gaiety,This ugly, fat manWeds this slim, shapely sightOf a damselBecause his father owns a bankAnd the girl's motherIs a poor widow.The girl will willingly waitOn this toad,KissingLoving - or pretending to loveEverything about him.She used to sell provisionsFor her motherBefore he met herAnd allowed her agreeTo marry a man she couldNot refuse if she was toRemain her mother's daughter.The hopes of her kinAre on her scapulars,She will train her nine siblingsIn the universitiesAnd fill her mother's shopTo the brim.The other day I went to buyKerosene from that shopShe was eating a sherry mangoAnd her sister was bustling -'Can you help me sell kerosene? '


She asks the girl;Oh - because I am eating Kerosene mango?She has always been proud,Saucy and spicily sleazy,But the wit carried some weightAvoiding to say the usualCan't you see I am eating mango?Is a mark of considerable literary genius.But will this toadI see behind her appreciate her wit -No, the better question isWill this saucy sightNot adore his wealthy wretchedness?But here is my share of the white wedding wineI had better shut upAnd drink it up. samuel nze


Copulation RoundMoistVirginOrificeYieldsBlood,MixesPleasureWithPainLove withResponsibilityHope withSacrifice. samuel nze


Craft Your hands turnbecause they are nimbleworking feverishly on yourcraft; expert hands going fasterand faster on your craft,because they are nimble.Your hands turnon your craft; nimble hands, turningexquisite craft. samuel nze


Crestfallen And Teary Crestfallen and tearyPulses low and drearyMy body is wearyStill with weeping wearyJust this early morningEre the sun's awakingI was weak and sleepyMy torso was ailingFear and painful sadnessStruggle with their badnessAnd their sulky harshnessWith her silly hardnessI am still unhappyMake the term go snappyMy temper is crappyThe year will be nappy. samuel nze


Dauntless My foes are all round meTry to hem me in.I resistThey cannot win this warI must be toughDauntless. Whereas we at dawnPray to GodTo send downHis holy rainOf blessingAnd whereas we at duskPray to GodTo send downHis holy wingsOf protection. My foes are fleeingGive me respite.I rejoiceThey have lost the warI was tough indeedDauntless. samuel nze


Day Unto Day From day to day I cryI find the case wryThat though I tryI cannot my fredom buy From these shackles of gloomI will to rise soonLike the flower bloomGiving my heart room To exalt and runTo have all the funTo bask in the sunTo swim, jump and run I want to be gayTo feel the solar rayTo have me a free dayWhen all I do is play. samuel nze


Daydreams When I build castles in the airI do not use cementFor fear thatIt will be too heavy.Rather I use my mind,Which is as light as ether.I draw the plan thereAnd there too I conceiveThe framework.My mind is the craftsmanAnd the mason as well.The building will be tall,Beautiful; a sight to behold.The air will hold it well,Proudly by night and by day too -It is in the day thatIt was built. samuel nze


Deluded Height Who will humble this manThat walks taller than tallAnd struts likeRamshackle in reckless abandon?He thinks I need himAnd maybe I do forThe intelligence he inspires;But I need him brought low,He must not be further deludedInto thinking he is ofOutlandish magnitude;I know not what serves his delusion,But I know he is no different than me. samuel nze


Despair Is A Mad Man Your thoughts are not too heavy for your heartIt is only foolery that makes it seem soYou think till you are hotAnd then say you are sickYou cry in shameless miseryAnd lament your fateWhy me becomes a balladAnd you call the tune till tears dropDespair is a mad manYet you befriend himHe goes causing a nuisanceBut you seek himInsanity has no friend they sayStill you go near to become mad as wellYou go looking long and hard for gloomIf you are not mad, then you must be a foolYou do not prayNor invoke celestial beingsYou do not singNor chase dolour from your soulYou do not playNor fill your mind with gaietyAll you do is drone and cryFor all that has beenThat should notYou make despair a nagging companionAnd gain nothing by the business. samuel nze


Did You Say Die? Did you say die, LordWhen my foes lookedEnviously upon meWishing I would be offWith my unsettling selfSo that they would no longerCast acrimonious eyesOn my forced show-offAs they thought my sprightly grace?Did you say die, LordWhen those who hated my gaitReminded me that my shouldersWere a trifle too highly raisedAnd my heels clicked simpe simpeWhereas my age-mates wereSmoking goof and talkingOf their amorous exploitsIn the solitude of the obeche stump?Did you say die, LordWhen the jealous ones caught meReading by the candlestickAnd their faces creased withDispleasure at the impetuous crimeOf having this a dictionaryAnd that a too hefty textbookWhile they were weeding grassAnd preparing the dinnerI too would consume?Have you said die, LordNow that I have this headacheAnd stomach heavingTo the uncalled for insultReceived from her yesterdayWho told me to pick my stepsFrom where I left themAs I was sprinting much too fastFor my shadow.


samuel nze


Directly At A Beast I am looking directly at a beast;My lecturer is a beast,He is not intelligentBut he thinks he is;He is ugly and loves womenA lot -Worst of all, he talks too much;Empty vessels they sayMake the most noise,And this vessel is really empty;Pot bellyLoud voiceStrain of veins in his throat,But all he skirmishesIs insignificant balderdash,He feels he hates those whoLike him think themselves intelligentBut the truly brilliant -The wiseWill refrain fromKeeping his ugly company. samuel nze


Do It. The first day of our weekIs my birthdayDo not make it bleakThat is all I pray. I will expect a lot from youTo prove your affectionIt is love's dueAnd it prompts to action. Give me joy on that dayMake my heart raceFill me with a sudden gayFeeling that denies space. You love meSo you always declareYou need meIn a manner that is rare. Many men mouth mysteriesOf undying loveFull of artful intricaciesTheir hearts in a glove. Barely seen in doingBarely alert to the other's needsBarely ever losingBarely planting love's true seed. samuel nze


Don'T Punish Me Hard Don't punish me hardI am too young to dieI recall my birthThe day is not too oldI am still brownIn the eyesAnd black in the hairI bet evenThe raven knowsI am swifterThan he.My blood still ripplesIn my veins. samuel nze


Eating Cat Lapping up withits red tongueand licking itswhiskersthe slurp slurptells the duty,the purrsmiles the gratitudethe bowl at last isdrained. samuel nze


Endless Strife The problem with life to meSeems to be thatIts needs are too manyCausing discomfort;We cannot take our handsInto our breast to rest.The struggle must go onIndefinitely.Waking and striving earlier,Laying and sleeping later,The hustle is perennially keenAs we brush aside the doctor's cautionAnd one another too,Yet the psalmist has said thatOur striving is uselessAs God blesses his lazying belovedAs they loll on their beds. samuel nze


Enduring M's. Mosquitoes have endured longBiting peopleThe same old story ofInsects causing plasmodiumMarriage has endured longBonding peopleThe same old story ofInterested adults wedMoney has endured longBuying peopleThe same old story ofInflated goods soldMisery has endured longBullying peopleThe same old story ofInjured hearts bledMotherhood has endured longBearing peopleThe same old story ofIncarcerated fetuses freed. samuel nze


Enough Of You! Who do you think you are, man?Come on, enough of you!See the way you strutLike a veritable peacock -I say enough of you! The breadth of your scapularThe swing of your hipsThe push of your chestThe slant of your eyesThe way you boastThe grin of prideWho really are you -O, enough of you, I say! Get out, I don't want to see youBig, handsome, intelligentGet out and stay out - leave me aloneBefore I die of griefWhy does your nearness bring such pain?Why do you remind me of what I'm not?Why do I wish you would just fall dead?O my God - help me, I hate this feelingDeep in my soul. Now, now, fellow, I say:Enough, enough, enough; enough of you! samuel nze


Envious Apology I think it is sillyWhen you envy someone;You try to measure upBut find it hard,So you wish him dead.Away, away!Move away from hereI hate to see you,Your sight irritates me;See the way youStrut;Your shoulders measure upTo your nose;You give meThat slant lookAs if I am a nobodyBut the fact thatI do not have the talentsYou doDoes not make you any betterThan me. samuel nze


Envious Banality Coded banality regards tomorrowWith crimson socketsBeauty shops are emptyBut local loos are full Shapely bosoms haveForgotten how to danceCoquetry ranks highAmong the daughters of men Sorcery is rife withUsing the Spirit to squelchThe one you areMost envious of Stalking with hateDetecting simplest faultsWith string criticisms andOvert diatribes unjustified You are sadCompetition takes a pass on youYou did not start lateBut you have not moved fast Not fast enough to outwitThat perceived rivalThat lucky JosephThat rich neighbour Baseness is liftedIn your heartYou like it in othersOthers see it in you Banality is overtIn the rat race of the slumsWhere you live doingWhat you do.


samuel nze


Envious Clouds It is middle MayAnd the sky is in a moodCrying everyday -What is this all about!Always it is the drip dropOn the roof that I hear,The pitter patter of a thousand small feetAs they hurry from theWatery oppression on theRoad from school;Women gather in their stuffFrom the open-air market;The clouds have enviedTheir suckling babes andGone off in a rageTo give birth tooTo nothing but water.It is the sort of thing that envy does,Black eyes at another's progress,Ugly rain maker;If you burst forth in tearsMust the sky follow suitAnd spoil our trade? samuel nze


Envious Rivalry I told them they would destroy my worldThey would make it a hell;They cannot say I did not tell them,As I looked upon them from celestial heights The country is full of mediocre illOf a lack of understanding;The land is full of hate,No one cares at all. This old man is barking at his daughterSaying this and that;He is refusing to reason,No gentlemanliness about him. They struggle with one anotherIncrease the need to strive;They complain about everything,There is no respite. Bickering the livelong dayThese ones do not care for the truth;They love delusion,They give it heated chase. It is envious rivalry they preferEnvious rivalry they choose;It is envious rivalry that will,As it were satisfy them. samuel nze


Evening Remorse Because you do not knowIn spite of the spatial growYour emotions still flowIn ways you knowThe wind will blowYour faint dreams soOver the hills they goYou watch them doAll the anger in youThe witch the old and blueMake passes with your dueSadly sadly you rueWhat should not doYou would rather have fewThan too many without a cue. samuel nze


Everyone Wants Love These Days Everyone loves love these daysHas it always been so?Where has work gone to,The sweat of persistenceLeisureEntertainment -That is all we get these days;It is not fair that we think onlyOf chivalrous acts towards womenMen aim at kissingBut they should think more ofBooks and commerce;Before it is too late. samuel nze


Experiencing Attacks SlowlySilentlySurelyWe gather experienceFrom life,Attacks andSpiritual battlesFrom witches at night.DarknessDespairDefeatGloomIn the night.SlipperilySloppilySourlyWe gather pain,Revealing woundsFrom unseen foesUnder the cover of dark. samuel nze


Eze Onyeagwalam I am a king, do not tell me;I am Eze Onyeagwalam,No one speaks to me.So it was that one dayEze Onyeagwalam wentTo the marketWith excreta in his pantsAnd the kingdom of flies for escort;Nobody sold him anything,And no one spoke -All covered their noses at him.He was exasperated.Why does no one speak to me!A silent voice chided then,Are you not Eze Onyeagwalam?No one tells you anything. samuel nze


Fine Lady fine ladymake you mellowif you continue withyour shakarano person go marry you-o!you just dey denge poselike say tomorrow no deytake am easy-o!i don tell you finish. samuel nze


Fishes In The Sea The sea is blue and whiteIt is always like thatThe dog will always biteAnd chase after the cat. Fishes are in the seaIt is the usualBusiness has one pleaThe need to be frugal We catch fishes with a netAmbition is the spice of existenceAlways on the alertWe have no time for pretence I eat fish, and so do youProteins build up the bodyIt is not about voodooBut health makes one hardy samuel nze


Flies Do The Fireworks Flies do the fireworksAided by my reading lamp;They won't let me be.Morsels of breadAre left on the table,Younger siblings did notClean up after them.I have distracting thoughtsIn my head,I despair at removing them.I want to read -What then is all this! samuel nze


Food Why food -Is it at all necessary?Why must we goEvery other day to the martsTo stock fish, condimentsAnd rice?We hustle each dayAt workOnly so that our belliesCan be filled afterwards.We think we control food,But clearly it controls us. samuel nze


Forgive Me For Being Great Forgive me for being greatI didn't know it wouldMerit your acrid stareThe snobbery and disdainAche my soulDraw watery salt to my eyesI did not choose my gaitYou say my shouldersCompete with my noseWhich is haughty and uncouthTo my brow;You say I talk gruffAnd have this unseemly panacheYou remind me that I call myselfA leany genius, one of the anti-social breedBut all you do is try my modestyI would love you if youCared more for my heart:Forget my accomplishmentsForget my styleForget that I am nothing but simpleForgive my being great. samuel nze


Francis Arinze The Holy Father at last is deadWho will succeed himWho will be the next popeFrancis Arinze? I dare say he willFirst swarthy pontiffNigerian on a seat raised highNegro father of the whole world. All hail Francis ArinzeSoon to be popeProphesy as sure as sunriseFrom a hallowed east. I loved Karol WoytilaHe was a patron of peaceBut I will love Francis as wellMy brother and kin. He will shepherd soulsLike the Saviour himselfWith the keys of PeterHe will enter them to heaven. I do pray to Celestial forcesMove the hand of GodLet Francis approach the cathedralLet him be pope. samuel nze


Friend? Are you my friendThen why did you rate meOne over fiveTo spoil my score? You are jealous or somethingI told you that I was now FPCAnd your temperatureBegan to rise. You are not my friendIf you are youWould not treat me so shabbilyYou know I least deserve it. samuel nze


Frolic, Not Stress Thunder is resolutely proud todayThe sound is deafening and not at all quellThe children jump, run, frisk about and yellAs they scurry to keep alive their playWho cares for this arrogant noisemakerOr the tearful gray bags that it escortsMy father needs it and hence his prayerFarmer man and the earth's darling of sortsBut I, young and brawny and ever carelessI do not need it, nor could I care lessAll I want is to frolic, not to stressTo be gay - O this my young heart, God blessI am concerned just for this very dayThat tomorrow will be here, who can tell? samuel nze


From The Sweat From the sweat ofOur old poor parentsWe grew into menReady to sweat for othersTo make them grow too Society is foundedOn the sweat of slavesThose working hard quarrying stonesBuild others like housesEven though the popeQuarried stonesTo build himself From the sweat ofOur old poor parentsWe grew into menReady to make ourselvesThe best we can. samuel nze


Gloom Dark heart and a hurt headThere is disappointment in my soulI groan in tired dissipationAs melancholy hems me inThere seems to be no escapeAs foes lock horns with meSeeking to entrap me inA web of frustration;I struggle and whimperI ask for divine helpGod will come to my aidI only have to trust. samuel nze


God Is God Logic of sorts does not it explainFrom pride and calumny though we stayGod alone must all the time attainOur deepest affections when we pray Innocents fall dead at guilty handsBribed mouths are mum to bitter truthWe do not know why He folds His handsBut to berate Him would be uncouth The rich will get all the richer stillI go on keeping poverty kinWho am I to quiz the divine willThat would very likely be a sin So my sorrow must be respectfulI must cry and yet say I love GodI cannot understand it in fullBut my pastor insists that God is God. samuel nze


God Takes Care Of Me. God takes care of meIn ways I know notHe knows I am an orphanWithout Him I'd dieHe gives me to eatComforts and shades meHe helps me when downTells me sweet nothingsYesterday it was a miracleToday it's praiseTomorrow will be aSurprise I can't wait to get.God is my sufficiencyEvery way uniqueIt is not thus with othersIf it is let them sayHe has told me not to fretTo look at the birds flyThey have no farmsYet He provides to their fill. samuel nze


Good And Bad Times In the eveningThe shop ownersPrepare for home;They arrange the goods left unsoldHoping it will not haveTo be the same story againTomorrow.Good times may continueAll the timeBut bad times should endureFor only today -Who needs them anyway? samuel nze


Grieving Like A Fulsome Song Grieving like a fulsome songHarps the exit of the lovedWreaths will curtain on the paneAs with pain the loser sighs Mournful irony will quipThat his loss is disguised boonLesser pain perhaps, but this?We must let him still to weep He will cry and rent the airQuarreling with God or fateAsking why it must be himPuzzle no one can resolve Quizzes of the same allureLeaved etched lines above the eyesRaised and stoic like the priest'sCausing one to age with speed. samuel nze


Haikus Are My Kind Haikus are my kindEasy to writeFine mathematics of linesIn solemn displayFive seven five HaikusWhat splendid poetryBeauty of expressionPrecision of wordsHaikusWhat crafty writingThey intrigue and challenge me I write haikusPlenty of the timeOne of my favourite kindsCreativity calls every other dayWrite a haiku samuel nze


Happiness It is the feel of a family unitedIn love and comfortDaring the oddsIt is the feel of you and meAs one joyful peopleHappiness is living in our spaceWithout hasslesUnderstanding that springsDeep from the heartI love youYou love meWhat else is there but to singWe are happyWe are full of joy. samuel nze


Hard Work A spade is in my handDirty spade in my handDirty sandy spadeIt is in my hand. It is used for workHard work in the farmDreary straining workIt is done in the farm. The sun will beat meHarsh sunlight on my backTerrifying rays beating staccatoThey fall on my back. I sweat in the faceSalty sweat from my faceSalty trickling sweatIt falls from my face. samuel nze


Hollow Heart I have today a hollow heart;Best friend says I'm insatiable,That he has triedBut love cannot seem to fill me.And maybe he is right. Love is like a cup of chocolate,Sweet but never enough;You drink and empty the ton,Then you greedily look for more.You drool and swoon,You hunger for fillingBut it is never enough. So he is probably rightWhen he accuses meOf being insatiable;Perhaps I am - who is not;Who really? samuel nze


Holy Holy Holy Angelic choirs raise their voicesHoly holy holyGod is the brightnessThe aura of perfectionHoly is he. Holy holy holyPerfection in semblance of lightRadiant beauty of whitenessPurity of celestial blissAura of clear silverMirror of grace fromA hallowed height. Angelic choirs bring forth musicHoly holy holyGod is lightThe beauty of radianceHoly is he. samuel nze


Home Is Where The Soul Stays Back tide water brings the swan backHome.Home is where the heart is.Inside those four wallsWhere papa smokes pipeAnd mama keels the pot;Inside those four wallsWhere siblings play ayoAnd visitors inform of market prices;Inside those four wallsWhere my girlfriend steals me a kissThe moment grandma's back is turned;Inside those four wallsWhere my bed is covered with sheetsAnd my feet refuse to move.Back tide water brings me backHome.Home is where the soul stays. samuel nze


Hypertension With dark bloodYou heave air in your breastIt is heavyThat load on your chest. Doctor will call it hypertensionYou eat no proteinsThere is no milk in your bowlAnd you think too much. Your family have not known himThey want everythingIt is your duty to swotIs it yours to die too? Father says sacrifice is true religionBut you are not Jesus ChristIf all this doing will snap your ribsYou had better rest. samuel nze


I Am A Man Now I catch a fish in my handAnd do not let it go.The fish stands for luck;The juju that wicked peopleHave been doingTo tie down my progressIs waning fast.I am mastering the tide,My eyes clear;I see the road a mile off,I am a man now. samuel nze


I Am Licking Sugar I am licking sugarTo make the day sweeterWhat else can I do!I have rallied my witsTo no avail.Even as I loll on my bedMy nose testifies toMy weepingOver the sad day. samuel nze


I Am Thinking Of You I am thinking of youTodayYesterdayTomorrowI have been thinking of youNowBeforeAlwaysI will be thinking of youTomorrowWeekFortnightI was thinking of youThenPastLong samuel nze


I Am Wondering I am wondering why mamaIs always agitatedShe cooksShe farmsShe sweepsShe tendsSoon she is pregnant againI am wondering why papaIs not always agitatedHe readsHe talksHe sleepsHe scoldsSoon he is drinking againI am wondering why IAm always bemusedI watchI thinkI askI followSoon I am wondering again samuel nze


I Believe I believe I shall succeedI believe I shall be an inspirationI believe my troubles are temporaryI believe I shall be richI believe I shall swell wideI believe I shall take on the worldI believe I shall speak of wealthI believe I shall carry sufferers alongI believe I shall show how I made it from nothingI believe in GodI believe that he is taking me somewhereI believe that the darkness of today gives wayI believe, I believe, I believe. samuel nze


I Feel Like Crying I feel like cryingWhen I remember the lossThe Tsunami disasterThat shook our heartsI feel like crying when ISee the tears fall downA victim's cheekFeel her wish it never happenedI think of my own povertyI shudder at the depravityAnd mediocrity that is AfricaI am saddened by the greedOf leaders whoInstead of seeking to save the lostContinue to wasteWhat is left. samuel nze


I Felt Like I felt like pumping him with leadFor all he saidHe should have been deadFor all I cared. It did not seen rightThat he should fightFor what was not his rightIt was like flying a kite. Today and tomorrowHe goes to borrowTurn the mind to sorrowLike a dent arrow. Alas for the endThat prosperity would lendTo the bitterest endNo one would tend. samuel nze


I Have Been Angry With God I have been angry with God,Things did not go the wayI planned;That was why. I have been angry with God,He did not observe my moodsBut chose His own course;As always. I have been angry with God,I felt betrayed and left aloneAs he spurned my yearnings;In preference to His. I have been angry with God,But not for too longI understand His sovereingty;And I repent. samuel nze


I Kept On Going I kept on goingEven though the road was roughLife's journey became death's trapHamstrings and frustrationsThe livelong dayElectronic hatred, mechanic wickedness,Mindless perjuryI was rendered incommunicadoBy hooded men with blackSpitters of fireThey broke the windowClang, clang and pieces of glassCame crashing inAt the door, in and gun at myForeheadShift back, shift back -A sudden scar at the armBlind nonrecognitionHead bowed in forced aweI had no moneyPoverty for once a blessingBut I had my electronic talkerI had to give it to themBack out, back outThe show is overAnd no applauseIt was too dark at nightFor a show without spotAnd floodlightsI keep on goingThough life gets tougherI keep on livingEvading death's trap. samuel nze


I Need To Have Faith I need to have faithIt is God doing and not meStruggle I mayBut he gives increase. O that I would restIn the knowledgeThat he alone is king. There is need to hopeIt is God rewarding and not meAnxious I may beBut he calms me O that I would restIn the knowledgeThat he alone is king. There is need to loveIt is God giving and not meRomance I mayBut he gives fertility. samuel nze


I Packaged Their Assignments For Them I packaged their assignmentsNeatly arranged for themI had committed intellectual fraudAnd I was not going to careAfrica is not making it,We're living double livesOur intellectualsSport borrowed gradesOur students have empty brainsThose whose skulls are fullAre drained away abroadAnd we are left here to stifleOne another in jealousyWhen it is confirmedThat my head as well is fullI will allow myself to easilyBe drained away like myBetters and compares, to the StatesOr even to Europe. samuel nze


I Pity My Enemies I assured myself I wasNot giving up without a struggleWhere were they, who were theyThese attackers of mine?I pity my enemiesThose anticipating my doomPraying feverishly for myGhastly undoingVisiting this a dibah, that a witchMixing this a potion, that a drugFor my doomI tell those who insistThat if it is me they are afterTo go get better employmentAs they are really wasting time. samuel nze


I Saw You I saw youClearly,A photo worths moreThan a thousand words;I observed your moods,Your smile came through the colourAnd made me knowYou were there true;Two dimensional realityOf opaque significance.The picture is still in my head;It is there becauseI saw you. samuel nze


I Sold My Blood For Money Sometimes I saw my bloodDrain out at the prick of a needleMy blood was draining outAs money was draining in;I was selling my blood for money.The nurse said I had excess blood,Whether she told the truthOr lied to get me part with a pint or twoI cannot tell,But of what use was blood to meWhen I was dying of hunger?I agreed to sell thatDark red fluid in my veins;That rich red rumble of liquidFilled their plastic bag;I saw the vampires smile and praiseThe quality - your's is rich, they say.I am impatient; all I want is money, andSoon enough they count me two notes;I look at the sum - the price of blood.They say blood is life,But I have traded it here for money;Does that mean that my life is priced?Perhaps - if I cannot eatFood bought with moneyI will certainly die. samuel nze


I Want A King's Daughter I want a king's daughterTo be my friendBut she is too proudHer head is up in the sky. Let me whisper in your ears, friendYou must cut the headAxe to her neckShe is not the only princess. Ah, but that is cruelI cannot do itIf her head towersThen I must let mine too Suit yourself thenI give you solemn adviceBut you refuse to heedYou will end in stroke A Compromise thenI will sit and stare at herMaybe she will of her own accordHunt me like a chick. Afterall she is the eagleUgonna is her nameThe eagle of her fatherThe eagle of a king. samuel nze


I Will Never Forget The Pain I will never forget the painThe sadness, the tearsAs my heart sank in the shadoofAnd the water seeped inMixed with salt and came upTo my eyesSadness, grief, despair and longingThere was pain in my soulHate with the pasiion of frustrationMoaning impatience in a mediocre countryThis man was insensitive to my feelingsCared less for my moods.My spirit spited God and was restlessWishing to have nothing to do with theImpersonal deity: sooner no God andNo grief to drive me crazyMillions of churchmen greedily pray their wayTo wealth, having duped their followingThe grand theft of machination leading toConfusion, the staccato of overwhelmingDiscomfort in acrid economyNational uncouth and disdain, miserlyDebauchery in the oligarchy of the havesOf course I am painedI hate to be a Nigerian - I hate GodFor making me who I amLet me be!Let me be!And the restlessness goes onIn the sadness of dissatisfactionAnd the growing maliceOf frustration in the sheerInsensitivity of manYeah, the black manWho claims to be my brotherBut is but a swarthy elfA negative of the devil himself.But who cares for the devil -Who even cares for God?


Only the pain is recalledThe pain of sitting in that roomLooking at the sameNarcissistic in sensitive creatureThat claims to feel meI will never forget the disdainI will never forget the pain. samuel nze


I Will Not Be All Alone Even when they all leave meEven when they say theyDo not care a hoot what I feelI will not be all alone I will have the air in my lungsThe dreams in my headThe passion in my breastThe courage in my arms Even when they refuse to chatEven when they put me downDo not call or send textsI will not be alone I will have my books to readMy prayers to sayMy lessons to attendMy friends to tryst Even when they forget old daysEven when they refuse to dreamDo not recall my wooingsI will not be alone I will have my God to pray toI will tell Him what I feelThe pangs of anguishThe sorrows of loss. samuel nze


I Wonder If The Dusky Dame I wonder if the dusky dameEnjoys her night in bedStiffened thus by bitter bileAnd sixty silent snorts,Whitewashed sepulchre of slavesBrimmed by blackened bonesGiddy grotesque gaietyHoned in practised pain,The envy in the marketplaceThe diatribes of hateThe visit to the juju priestFor medicines of death;Bickering in the backyardWith the senior wifeThe afternoon is ever spentLicking soulish wounds,Will she ever moan thenAs the prick persuadesPleadingly, soothinglyPleadingly, soothinglyPleadingly, soothinglyBurst forth woman, why so numb!The man's fluid alone proceedsThe woman only sighsCaged so by her guilt and hateHer fears and sourly soul. samuel nze


I Would Be A Fool If I did not trustI would be a fool:Sometimes to trust isThe only alternative -When you eat only afterHaving hoped for food;When you sleepOnly after having tired out;When you dress upAs the only safe keep from nakedness;When you hold herIn your arms as a reliefFrom lonely pain.If I did not trustI would be a fool;I would be a foolEven if I trusted. samuel nze


I Write In my quiet momentsI write,I try to examine the connectionsBetween events;The phantasms in my headCorrespond to the thoughtsSpread on the sheet.I try to express,To create a consonanceBetween what I imagineAnd what I scribble. samuel nze


If IfI am toldThe same conditional dictumAndIf notThe action is reversedIfI do wellI am rewardedIf notI am punished. samuel nze


If Not For Anything Else Give me your handAnd make me your friendIf not for anything elseFor all there has beenBetween us,All the secrets we have sharedThe games, the fun, the happy hoursWe have been partnersTo many a crimeWe have risen and fallenLike the tidesNear Bar beachI laughed to see youGay on Christmas daySi if not for anything elseGive me your hand. samuel nze


If Only You Would Trust Me! If only you would trust meThings would be so much better;Then we would notHave to quarrel so much.All the bitter wranglingWould be gone,And there would be no more envy;None of that vicious stare in your eyes,No painful diatribes.If only you would trust me,There would be no needTo have written this poem. samuel nze


If Tomorrow Comes If tomorrow comes,Our sorry situation will improve;We will have a new leaseOf bearable existence. Unless tomorrow comesWe will remain poor,Sorrowing the livelong day,Unable to smile deep. Although tomorrow comesWe quake;What if it comesWithout the needed remedy? Should tomorrow come empty-handedWe would rue;We already recall that todayWas yesterday's tomorrow. samuel nze


In A Hurry When I was youngerI used to thinkMy ma would outlive a hundredShe shocked me when sheCouldn't even half itWas she in a hurryOr was it just destiny?Whatever it wasThat too was in a hurry. samuel nze


In A State Of Anomie. In a state of anomieYou look for orderYou search out a pinIn a hay stack In a cold heartYou look for loveYou seek out a swarthy manIn a blackout In a hovelYou look for comfortYou hunt a reindeerIn an African jungle In NigeriaYou look for truthYou chase waterIn the Sahara samuel nze


In Fearful Pain She was pounding yamFor her husbandThe pestle went up and downHer breasts did the same.For her hubandHer breast poundedHe was pounding herHis torso going up and down.Her breasts poundedIn fearful painShe had offended himHe was pounding her.In fearful painShe received the blowsHis torso going up and downHe was pounding her.She loved him too muchTo run awayShe bore his poundingIn fearful pain. samuel nze


In My Country You must know I like my country,Life here is simple.Pressed for releaseThere is no need for a lavatoryThe bush is a welcome variant;No one bothers, no one looking your way.Needing provocationYou need not search far,Unwary face may welcome excrementThrown from an up stair window;Burst upon your socketsYour shriek is disdained.You are dullIt matters only a grain,With deftly copied remindersYou are sure to pass.Even when you flunk that interviewLady with fat bottoms,You will sit in that officeAfter sitting on your employer'sMasculine rod in the dark.Tell me you need a wifeAnd reveal your having not looked,Every girl needs a husband;Crusades where they call down Fire, theirSorcerers mixing love medicinesAnd many draining cosmetic shopsGreedily seek men.Happy and holy is my country,Land of many twists;That old woman does not smileAt you for naughtGrease you her itching palm;The motorcycle rider will shunt trafficIf you are lateBut you must pay.There is always a short cut to everything,It only needs you to belong;Do as I do, don't worry.


Keep the nation as poorAnd as depraved as is.In all the oppression of the have-nots,The poverty of the squelchedAnd the confusion of the youthFull churches and clubsPoint to the truth thatSuffering is compatible with obsessed grinningAnd smug laughter in my country. samuel nze


In Pain In needful painWe wait for an answerTo all of life's irksSlowly, reverently, gingerlyIn fearful painWe anticipate life's answerTo all her tiresome longingsPatiently, quietly, silentlyIn hopeful painWe treasure opportunity's answerTo natural quandariesSoftly, resignedly, gainlyIn joyful painWe appreciate life's answerTo all our worriesLately, surely, purely. samuel nze


In Praise Of America America is the answerTo all of life's problemsAmerica, the home of freedomAnd self actualization.The world revers America,Paragon of beauty,Epitome of pride;I love AmericaHopeful home,Benevolent barn. samuel nze


In The Dusk In the duskHunts for human bloodReclaim erstwhile portionsOf flesh left over fromYesterday's gory feastAt midnight;Sharp fangsRed-stained teethA mass of tangled hairHorrific portentsRemind us of death;BlackShockingRedAwesome,A pool of somebody else's blood.We go through sadistic tunnelsHearing ominous hootsAnd eerie chuckles,Sinister selfish spiritsShare aristocratic jokes;Their sadistic pleasureSatisfies only heartsAs perverse as they.Wicked, cruel, thirsty for ill,The jaws of deathAre kept perennially openAs vultures wait impatiently forYet another supperIn the dusk. samuel nze


In The Evening In the evening I loll,Sitting down on a tortured forkThe wind in my face,Your voice in my ears.Paradise -It is what you inspire,Your soothing presenceIs heavenly.Yesterday I was crying,The loneliness was unbearable;I could not grasp why it had to be so.But I see you nowAnd can relaxThe evening passes slowly,Fruitfully too.You and I in the moon's embraceSpeaking softly to each otherLoving the sound of our voicesKeeping the dark company. samuel nze


In The War In that warWe fought bravelyBut the gods had decidedThat we should not win.We were fewerThan our aggressorsTheir weaponsOutshone ours.Gallant youth was sacrificedFor our landBiafra needed their bloodTo appease her gods.Even now our leadersHave no recompense for the fluidTheir slow wits sayNo victor no vanquished.It is not what the bereaved quipThey are hurtIt is they who lost dear onesThey are vanquished. samuel nze


In The Workhouses In the workhousesThe slaves are pitAgainst one another whileThe masters are in palacesEnjoying themselves.We are the black monkeysOf Africa, in the sun we workAnd even when we go to schoolIt is to envy the brainy lad;We kill him at workBecause his star shines too brightWe hate him strut likeThe whitemanWe hate the whiteman too,But as he is too powerfulWe vent the hate onHis black imitation. samuel nze


Innuendos He was talking with two mouthstrying to fool me; now thisand now that - innuendos.I fear him when he is like this,talking with two mouthssaying this and meaning that;now this and now that - innuendos.Will he ever stop fooling me with now this and now that;will he give me respite from these innuendos? samuel nze


Insecure Poverty I have no money in my pocketSee me separated from the worldI am insecureWho is there to help?Lift me up from miseryI am tired of this mediocrityI want to flyGive me wings, I beg.God has been kind I concedeLet him be kind stillIf I cannot get through todayCan I survive tomorrow? samuel nze


Internet Lover The world is a complex dreamThe internet is the denouementA world intricately woven togetherNever ceases to amaze meYou are on the other side of the worldAnd I am hereBut we can see and speak to each otherIt is the white man's juju.On this chair I reach out to youSee that smirk on your faceHear your voice sift through the speakerLike I did yesterday on the phoneYou complain of ChiomaAnd the life you left behind whenYou reached America in JanuaryI tell you of my dreamTo win a visa lotteryBut in between we speak of loveAnd marvel at the complicity of life.You are an American best friendFar far awayBut you also are an internet loverSo so near.I may win that lottery, my loveAnd join you over thereBut till thenI will sit still on this chairAnd reach out to you on the internetAs I did when you were here with meBack home in Africa.I love you, Jude. samuel nze


Ironic Hate Speedily he comesAnd goes slowlyLike the mistOf the morning.Let's sing him a songLet's cook him a mealLet's bathe him in oilLet's cool him in wine.Uppity miserCareful poetShrewd ministerUgly witch.Let's fear themRun for your lifeIf they catch youDon't say you saw me.My mother is a witchI discovered yesterdayMy father is a miserI knew long ago. samuel nze


Is It Love? Is it love between usWhen you fear me?You cast suspicious eyesThis way and that,You are not at home whenYou sit with me;You quake with insecurityIn my company.Is it love then?It makes me sick.Is it not love afterall?It makes me wonder.Beautiful faceLean physiqueThe type that make queens.All about you is perfect,But everydayIt is your intrigues thatCatch my fancy,Stealthy slippery sleuthOf the passionBrewing inside of me. samuel nze


Is It Singing Is it singing I hear in my heart?And why singing by the way -Am I happy?And how can I be happyWhen I am stressed;But am I really stressed?Is it stress when I have toDo a little work to keepBody, soul and mind together?I should not at all complain -God is with me.He loves and guides me,Whispering in my ear,Be content; don't fret my son,For I love you.I will lead you on to the endAnd then you will not quarrelWith the singing in your heartYou are happy now,But you will be happier then. samuel nze


Is There No Liquour? We have toiled hardIn the sun,We have defied the tormentsTo prove us men;Is there no liquourTo cool our thirst?When we now are backFrom the fieldsWith the grain piled highAnd the sweat on our backsDeflecting to the wind;When we see our childrenLooking proudly into our facesAnd our wives preparing our food;When the sun defeated and shyHides behind the clouds,We ask the rhethorical quiz:Is there no liquour? samuel nze


It Is When We Play It is when we play that we knowWho is angryHe keeps his face like excrementAnd says nothing goodIt is when we play that we knowWho is sickShe drones and wants to putHer head on my chestIt is when we play that we knowWho are wickedThey make us cry aloudAnd do not play at allIt is when we play that we knowWho are part of usThey smile like we doAnd sing like we always do. samuel nze


Jealous People I have met some peopleWho are full of bileDissatisfaction is their middle nameThey are the jealous ones. 'Why does he strut soIs he better than meWhat does he have that I don'tWho does he think he is? ' If you have met these kind of peopleThen you are old enough on earthThey are all around usAnd they make me sigh. For goodness sakeIf he seems better than youPray to God to improve youBut leave the poor guy alone! samuel nze


Jesus Dies For The World It was uneasyFor this strange manTo preach a new gospelOf resignation. The Jews would none of itPilate asked the worthOf his truthHe was to die for the world. Jesus claimed to beThe son of God butAccording to Mosaic authorityHe was a blasphemer. Upon the cross they nailed himMocking and jeeringHe saved others butCannot save himself. Till giving up the ghostHe accomplished the presagesseIt is finished he saidInto your hands I commit my spirit samuel nze


Juju Black magic can tame a warriorMake him break his spearCarry the loin cloth on his headAnd run like Ele The one and then the otherThe other and then the one You sleep but never wakeSpirits welcome you on the other sideMake you settle downLike a wayfarer The one and then the otherThe other and then the one You are pregnant and think it a sonBut soon you bear a tuberThat rival in the market caused itShe buried something in your stall The one and then the otherThe other and then the one Your breasts seem full of milkBut the suckling babeTastes only tarIt must be juju The one and then the otherThe other and then the one Your son was well yesterdayToday he has the sleeping sicknessRecall the old woman's hateful stareShe gave him something while he slept The one and then the otherThe other and then the one


You once had a storeWhere you sold yamsA fire came from nowhereAnd burnt it up The one and then the otherThe other and then the one Your wife gives you pottageYou smack your lipsSoon your stool is tap waterYour intestines are in your hands The one and then the otherThe other and then the one They planted a cock's crestIn your back gardenYou stepped in and had legsSwelling like the elephant's The one and then the otherThe other and then the one It is juju doing all these thingsYour enemies have remembered youCall a pastor presentlySo you may remember them back The one and then the otherThe other and then the one. samuel nze


Just Wait When life troubles you undulyAnd you are in a hurry toDo something newJust wait - it may not be time yet. The wind blows where it willCarrying dust thatIt pours on us. You seem frustratedBut it is a calm resolve thatWill help you to copeJust wait - it may not be time yet. The wind blows where it willCarrying dust thatIt pours on us. Believe, all that is importantBe slow to rushFate has its own passionJust wait - it may not be time yet The wind blows where it willCarrying dust thatIt pours on us. Be still then and hang onFret not and no demureIt won't be too long nowJust wait - it may not be time yet. The wind blows where it willCarrying dust thatIt pours on us. samuel nze


Keep Singing It spurs me, your singingMakes me feel lightAnd cheerfulBecause I love youAnd your voice is your partIn the joy thatIs my heartAnd the radianceOf that smile of yoursThat imbues in meA wealth of feeling;Do keep singing then,I pray you my love. samuel nze


Lachrymal Fountain. Lachrymal fountainOozed from blue socketsServed by red riotingIn chordal sacks. I weepLove is soon lostIt was not so yesterdayYou were by my side. The sea weds the shoreIn a soothing embraceYour body was touchedBy my tears. Salt-water wellFilled by round boreholesServed by passioned heavingOf hurt flesh. samuel nze


Last Night Produced A Lover He was a greenhorn,Or so he claimed;Entirely new to theBusiness of lovemaking,And wanted me to teach him.To teach him!Why show him how to please me?To give him the keys to my will;To make me his puppy?But he tried well enoughTo gain mastery on his own;He worked me up and down,Willing to go that extra mile:Shock and pleasure,Pleasure and shock -Ah!But he said he was a greenhorn!Indeed,Last night produced a lover,A rarest gem ofFilling lovemakingWithout previous experience. samuel nze


Laughter And Song Sing to me of laughterSongs resembling my heartThat exults like sea wavesRolling, frolicking and tautIn romance lasting like lifeFull of gaietyIn the morning as well asAt night.Sing to me those soothing melodiesOf bliss unparalleledUntouched by the grimDemure of disappointmentLet me hear the rhytmOf the drums thatLaughed loudly on mySister's wedding day. samuel nze


Lenten Fast Lenten fastLean stomachLongsufferingLengthy prayersLabour painsThey say it is sacrificeGod will reward the penitent,Anger lasting brieflySmile for henceforth.Holy hoursHappy yearsHonoured ageingHallowed homeHighlifeThey say it is heavenWhere no one need suffer more,Having worked painfully hereYou enjoy eternally there. samuel nze


Let's Say The A, B, C And D. A is for America,Land of opportunity;If you go on over,Send home some dollars.B is for bank,Where I will store the dollars;Money saved they say,Is always gained.C is for cashier,That pretty woman;She will count the dollars,So they are in tact.D is for dollars,Lots and lots of them;Those you will send,Mint and fresh. samuel nze


Life On that hillsongs by a humming birdremind me thateternity calls after years spenton the journey of life.there are many roads to living;life calls, attracts and shapesfor perfection,intrigues ever so real and ever so daringall make me realize the potencyof a blitz at survival,another prism from which life canbe viewed and braced.if we relentlessly chooseour own waywe would only be ableto waste ourselves onan energetic chasing the windin our mock perception oflife. samuel nze


Like Salt On An Earthworm Like salt on an earthwormIs bad news,When you are resting you suddenlyJerk up and saySat what say what?O dear -Do you mean this!Well, you must be sureTo ask me when nextYou have bad newsIf I am ready to take it.Fine - Jesus has called usSalt of the earth,But I am no earthwormAnd you haveNo legal rightTo perturb the peaceThat is socially mine. samuel nze


Like The Fulani Rub off all your sinsEre you stretch yourselfOnto your prayer matLike the fulaniCleanse your soul of dirtWash your dress with bleachA pedicure will helpAnd some Arabic scentLike the fulaniIf your hands are cleanAnd your clothes are neatIf your hair is cutYour feet free of mudLike the fulaniYou may enter mosqueYou may sing and prayFast and raise the chantLike the fulani. samuel nze


Little Men Little men toadyLip loud lamentsLittle on the groundLittle on the hill Little hearts quarrelSkirmish over ratsKnowing not their nicheHastening their end Little eyes seeOnly others' meritsLittle mouths quipStomachs full of envy Little hands fightWithout making moneyLittle bodies trapGarbing little souls Little meanly lowlivesDie little deathsStashed in little coffinsConfined by little skill Spending little effortOnly little zestDoing little goodPaying little dues Little classes, little stateLittle markets, little landLittle leaders, little codesLittle churches, little faith Little gods, little peopleLittle dreams, little gloriesLittle cares, little patienceLittle little, little still.


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Liturgy The priest is in the chapelPrayingLiturgyThe missal is by his sideMass servantsAre dressed in enviable attireDominus vorbiscumHe entonesTo which the reply comesEt cum spiritu tuoThere is pontificationAnd the prayer is endedLatin has confused the audienceWho is deceiving who? samuel nze


Luminous Showers The dawn is welcomeAfter black long hoursOur eyes shutWe saw only dreams.Dreams informed usOf mysteries unearthedWhat we now knowWe did not.We did not care for truthBefore the lightLuminous showers make usRealize fact.Facts are always sacredTo the learnedWise men keep them closeTo the breast.The breast holds the heartWhich flows passionate riversIt is in these rivers thatWe sail our restful boats samuel nze


Mama Africa I think of my AfricaBlack woman of mettleSitting like a forlorn work-womanOn the slimy green. Mama let me help you upTake my hand and heaveJust one move of muscleWill raise youFrom your stooging. She sits stillReluctant and bemusedUnrepentant of her inferior folly. I am agitatedMama cannot go on such foreverOne more effortMust remind her thatI am still her son andHer shame is mine as well. samuel nze


Marriage A sigh from the heartAlarms me; it isPassion.I swoon to discover thatI am in loveWith a girl who does notRealize that someone out there findsWarmthJust being in her presence andLooking into those eyes to findSatisfaction.I believe that your soulWhen matched with mine will bringHappiness,The grace of two heartsFirmly roped inMarriage. samuel nze


Melancholy Strained and drainedOf strength for the journeyThat ails and pales andMakes youth age.O make me toughI pray you godsTo harden me with pain,Deaden my sensesWith teary pathosMake me feel the stabAnd jot of more distress;If tears be my drinkEach and every nightI shall be imperviousTo the companyOf melancholy. samuel nze


Melancholy Lonesomeness You are lonely,You swoon in melancholy;The bustle outside does not concern you,It is for the happy ones.You are thinking of the hollowIn your breast;Love is lost and far away,Twilight every moment;Aurora is gone;She cares less for your mood;But even the day she returnsWhat can you do? samuel nze


Money Is Greater When you are asked to chooseBetween love and moneyAs a young girlBorn with a wooden - not silver -Spoon,What will you pick?Do not say love,Unless you wish to deceiveYourself.I am told that womenAre to be lovedBut that love is sometimesToo feeble even in her own home,So that when poverty comesIn at the doorLove instead of struggling him awayFlies out the windowTo God knows where. samuel nze


Mores Silent noiseWise fooleryHappy griefLong brevityAll is in you You grate your teeth at meAnd there is that agitationIn your soulYou feel I am hurt by it allAnd hence your sick joyIt is brief, but you stretch its keep. Late hasteSpoilt remedyFailed victoryHeavenly hellAllis in you. samuel nze


Mullato Or Black One cannot be shortAnd tall both at onceYou're either rich or poorThe in-between is boring Mullato does not claim birthAt the bellows and heatRightfully maybe on the grassA hoe perhaps, not likely the furnace Gray, is this the colour of metalThat has been kilned?But the brunt of heatMakes charcoal deeply swarthy Or else who can sayThat the sun of the African jungleIs not in whole or in part responsibleFor our black, black faces. samuel nze


My Best Friend Loves Me. How does it feelHaving a best friend that sincerely loves you?I am sure it feels goodEspecially when you love him too.Love is like a perfumeThat becomes a clean man.Because you know too well thatYour intentions are pureYou go ahead to wear itKnowing too that the gracious aromaWhich always attractsWill draw the object of your seductionCloser closerTo the heart in whichHe will always stay.I love you, Jude. samuel nze


My Comfortable Foes In the faces of my comfortable foesThere is a smirk;They delight to see me sufferSo they can gloat. They come to me with fake smilesHoping to try my patienceHoping to show theyAre better off than me. I look to GodFrom their treacherous visages;Whose report have I believed?None but His. samuel nze


My Darling My darlingIt is for you I swot thusTo make moneyAnd marry youI love you it's trueBut that does not putFood on the tableRoof over your headClothes on your bodyIf I love you trulyLet me work thenSo that when I am readyTo askWill you marry meYou would be ready toAsk in returnCan you handle it?I should then say yesAnd say it with gusto samuel nze


My Friend, A Friend I sit and think of youKenechukwu.Last night I had a curiousDream.My best friend saw you beside meAnd grew jealous;Who is this?He asks in a huff,Black spectacles closingCrimson red eyes.A friend, I sayUnready to precipitate offense.A friend or your friend?I am at a loss then;Where lies the bifurcationBetween a friend and my friend?Jude, I do not know.If it is bile that eats you,Then know thatYou are my best friend,My everythingAnd Kc is justA friend, my friend? samuel nze


My God Is In My Room Here in my houseI make a space for my God,My God is in my roomLiving with me. I am not a holy manNot at all a saint,But I entertain my makerIn my house. Everyday I sacrificePraying with ardent faith;I pour the wine of libationTo this costly deity. I invoke, entreatSupplicate this celestial kin,Paternal radiance imbues in meThe desire to pray. For always I seeBlessings perennially assured,Peace a lasting grace asMy God is in my room. samuel nze


My Heart Palpitates My heart palpitatesAnd my head aches tooThe sorrow proved too much to bearYet I had to bear itHad to endure a liveless life.My heart palpitates because thereSeems to be no remedyBecause there seems to be no endTo the miseries attacking my soulTrying to wreck my mind.My heart palpitates because IAm unhappyUnhappy because I am poorPoor because I am destituteDestitute because I am forsaken;So my heart goes onPalpitatingWithout end, without respite. samuel nze


My Jaw Is Full Of Rashes My jaw is full of rashesOh-ho! Jangolo tangoroAra rahTamboloso kiokio! And I am shyOh-ho! Jangolo tangoroAra rahTamboloso kiokio! But I will not botherOh-ho! Jangolo tangoroAra rahTamboloso kiokio! The rashes will soon tireOh-ho! Jangolo tangoroAra rahTamboloso kiokio! Then they will go back homeOh-ho! Jangolo tangoroAra rahTamboloso kiokio! samuel nze


My Life I have a lifeI have a familyI have myselfAnd I have a God. My life has meMy family has meMyself has meAnd my God has me Do you have a lifeDo you have a familyDo you have a selfAnd do you have a God? Does your life have youDoes your family have youDoes yourself have youAnd does your God have you? samuel nze


My Life Is A Baby Boy My life is a baby boyBorn on MondayOrphaned on TuesdayDestitute the day next On Thursday I go to universityTo get a degreeThey give it to meI seek next a job I meet a damsel on FridayShe says she likes meI too like herAnd soon we are wed Saturday brings another baby boyI name him MaduHe has his life aheadHe will be like me I train him to grow wellTeach him to meditateInspire him to loveForce him to work hard I bend coarse will with stricturesI never let him strayI was orphaned earlyI know life is hard This baby growsBecomes a manHe will inherit my wealthWhen I die Sunday brings deathPriest and doctor at my sideOne thinks it a hopeless caseThe other says eternal hope


Who knows what it is likeOn the other sideI leave Madu my estateI go on over He was a babySo was IHe is now a manHe too will join me there. samuel nze


My Little Child Hear again the sobsPerceive the demureWeep with himMy little child. Long past and fearingToday like days gone byHoping yet unseeingIt was my little child. Oh my little child you speakSilent volumes of painful miseryThe hardship and gloomI see all. The lessons are not lost to usPosterity will know them stillIf I take you out of my sightI cannot remove you from my mind. samuel nze


My Past Lives Once I was the sonOf a kingThen I died and had toCome back again.Next I was a scholarTrying hard toFathom realitiesBeyond the human scope.In the next life I wasA sailor and Simbad's allyCoursing the seven seasLooking for gold.Then I was aMedicine man winningRenown for myself andLoyal clients too.Once I imagined I wasBuddha's cronyMystic guru and prophet.Now I want to rule the entireWorld in this lifeWielding a scepterAbove every head. samuel nze


My Skin Twilight next to setting sunReminds me of my skinBlack, black like charcoalBold and beautiful My skin the stamp of raceNegroes are foreverStout swarthy strong saintsUltimate of soul Egypt's civilizationsPreceeded those of GreeceOr was my teacherImagining things? My skin colour is my prideI must always keep itOnce a man did notHe had himself to blame. samuel nze


My Struggle Is To Be A Man My struggle is to be a manIn every respect.A man is not simplyThe owner of a rod,Even if that is a criterion;Women adore that rodAnd use it against themselvesIn sadistically pleasing pain;They moan yet are happy,They cry yet insist on more -A woman will always love a man. My struggle is to be a manIn every respect.A man is not simplyA successful worker,Even if that is an ambition;Some men are slavesAnd earn a keep washing pants on SundaysIn shameless smugness;They swot yet are content,They are degraded yet bear it well -A slave will always love the base. My struggle is to be a manIn every respect.A man is not simplyA humble worshipper,Even if that is a necessity;Every soul must have its godAnd pray ceaselessly to himIn faithful submission;They suffer yet are hopeful,They doubt yet believe -A man is deeply spiritual. My struggle is to be a manIn every respect.A man is not simply


A proud lord,Even if that is an attraction;Many men have to endure hardshipAnd oppression of every sortIn quiet longsuffering;They are harried yet are not overcome,They are tortured yet unruffled -A man is resolutely resilient. samuel nze


Mystery Thief Lover of the darkYou mystery thiefAre you reallyA brother of mine?They say you areA human beingBut your actions askWhere is your heart?Did you suckleAt your mother's breastSix months at leastAfter the cord was buried?When then did youBreak Society's holdAnd become thusA renegade?I know your motherBack in the villageShall I tell herThat I have seen you? samuel nze


New Money Has Come New money has comeWe buy garri for ten koboWe give Mary to cook itShe cooks itIt is not sweetWe beat MaryShe does not cryWe kill MaryShe does not dieWhich kind of MaryIs this one?Raga rogo raga rogoSipepe olodesi. samuel nze


New Politician You cannot have grasped the quandaryThe elections must holdThen be riggedBefore results are announcedTo reveal the choice.You fret in itchy speedYet you must tarryFor due process:The elections must holdThen be riggedBefore results are announcedTo reveal the choice.You call yourself a geniusHave booked in the StatesDegree marrying anotherBut do not see thatThe elections must holdThen be riggedBefore results are announcedTo reveal the choice.You shout yourself hoarseAt the many ralliesWhere you throw away money;Your group is modernYou dream since you sleep,Fail to see howThe elections must holdThen be riggedBefore results are announcedTo reveal the choice.I have warned youTo join the winning partyTo master its lordsAnd serve their antics,But you are proudKnow the compound logicIgnore the facile thatThe elections must holdThen be rigged


Before results are announcedTo reveal the choice.Now you broodNew politician you be;Africa is cursed, you declareBut ignore the wholeThe clear truth thatThe elections must holdThen be riggedBefore results are announcedTo reveal the choiceAnd not the victor. samuel nze


No Home So many peopleDo not have a homeSure they have a houseBut not each house is home They say homeIs where the heart isNot cushions and a rugBut smiles and a kiss They look hard for loveThe house walls them inThey embrace the streetsTrying to ignore the din Where can my soul restFrom the nagging painWhere can I go to escapeFrom feeling the loss again? samuel nze


No Way Not so good you say;Not so good -Whatever is good enoughFor you! You tell me to halt -Halt!So that you canWalk over me? Ah, noI refuse to give youThat chanceNever! You think I am a foolSome chattelOn your shelfSome rag! samuel nze


Nostalgia How would you feelIf you spent five daysIn a cosy innOnly for you to comeBack to your poor poor shack?How would you feel ifYou ate good food for five daysOnly for you to come backTo dry bread and lean meat?How would you feel if you mingled with great peopleOnly for you to come backTo mediocre creaturescalling themselves individuals?If you experienced heavenAnd came back to earthAfter five memorable daysYou would feel nostalgia. samuel nze


Novelty Requires Strength Novelty requires strength;We need to be strongTo break those fettersThat cage us in,That say, Quo vadis?Stay and refrain from movement.But we would moveHere is not best,Our chests rise for whatLies ahead.We must proceed; move we must.Yes, we need strength, andGod will avail it us. samuel nze


O Beauty! O beautyO auraO mysticismPraise!O fineryO sceneryO pictureAdore!O gaietyO sunO radianceExtol!O heavensO angelsO GodWorship! samuel nze


O Dear! O dear!This must be shocking indeed -You mean he just walked out on you?How strange;He had always been a sincere lover,Had always cared;Had always asked after your good -I was even looking forwardTo the day when he wouldLead you to God's altar,But you say it is over;Are you kidding meOr keeping back something IDo not know? samuel nze


Of You. You are like a god,A symbol of authorityAnd you never ceaseTo intrigue me.You hold me steadilyIn your grasp,Filling me with the oilOf satisfaction,Grace and charm.A bowel of praiseReplaces my lean stomach;I want toRing out my joyOf you,Sing out my eulogyOf you;I want to tell the worldOf you.All in me is in ecstasy becauseOf you. samuel nze


Oil And Gold Oil is like goldSimilar hueNot at all blueBoth can be coldYet Never in the history of manHas it been saidThat oil is the pricelessOf the twoGold and oilSolid and liquidPrecious and common Of like and loveMettle is in degreesPerfection nearingElongated bliss andSacrifice samuel nze


Oligopoly Of Slaves Oligopoly of slavesIs an aberration of human rightsWe are too fiendish to noticeThat when these rule usMediocrity holds swayThey will beatThey will robThey will be corruptThey will stealThey will killThey will be uncouthWe had better had the kingsOr even the colonizersWe had better had the popeOr even the industrialistsBut once we are ruledBy the likes of youAha, then we know we are in soup! samuel nze


Oluchi (Part One) This girl is sitting across the roomLooking my way.I know she likes meA little too much for,Though I have done all to make her know ICannot go out with her -As I am engaged already -She still hopes one dayThe story will differ.She stalksTalksWalks up to me to make small talkWhich I am too busy to attend.I want us to go to your houseFor the one and the other thing.It tries me.She sees a handsome faceInspired by a proud full headAnd thinksWhat a prospect of a hubby!But I know that if sheWere the only girl aliveI fain would be a priest samuel nze


Oluchi (Part Two) That is the source of her jealousy -Where can I find a man like Sam?O SamYou are so handsome!O SamYou are so intelligent!Sam, my SamYou are everything;TallDarkBroad chested -But is this all girls think about!You must pardon me, SamIt has to be love,What else could it be?Oluchi my dear,Believe meIt could be an illusionAnd nothing more.Yet instead of understandingAll I get in return for my explicationIs piqued prideAnd hurt anger;Sighs too. samuel nze


On The Day My Father Died On the day my father diedi should have been laughingit was April foolsbut the joke was too dearusually it would be a quipand we would roarin bogus laughtertoday it was an eternal slumberand we had to hush hushpatrick would notsing of old roger nowthe lyric would stingnicole would not play ballno one would cheerlook at mama sittinglike the world has closedsoon her head will be shavedand the accuserswill come to sayshe killed her spousemama will then hold her breastslike a horrified penitentand in tears forcibly invitedsay it was untruethe mourners will cry bitterlybut when the food was readythey would pause anddemand a chickenbefore wailing louderto show their despairthis April fools is dramaticand even now iam undecidedon whether i should still laughor cry my heart out samuel nze


Only Love Counts Only love countsHonesty may prove valuableBuild trustMake me believe all you say But honesty like faithCannot charm meTruth is not always logicalI believe when I chooseDoubt comes when it willStays long enoughAnd goes of its own accord Only love countsHonesty may prove expedientConfirm hopeBut will not bond me to you samuel nze


Only When I Am Sad Only when I am sadOr irritatedDo I wish to escapeFrom myself.Irksome boredomTrying to hem me inIs an enemy;A wise man has saidGive me freedomOr give me death;I say give me bothBut only at theProper time. samuel nze


Onyenachia Munachim Man is lonely at birth, they sayEven when his dreams keep him company;We all need dreams to move on,To save ourselves from death.Gloom is death,Deflation concomitant withNot knowing what to do;A miserly scrape here and thereBrings nothing until we use our gifts;There is buried in usA truest calling loud and clear and sharpThat must persuade us to success;Some were born to use their heads,Others their hands or legs or bodies,Each with his spirit, his destiny,His truth;No one better, no one worse;We are all born to search and find,To ask and receive,to knock and be opened to;I am me, you are you,OnyenachiaMunachim. samuel nze


Oppressing Others We learn to harry othersRefusing then to growPreclude the boasts of thoseWe think can do no good We ignore Him that taughtTo heal our logged eyesWe go on playing prophetOutweeping those bereaved We prefer ugly peopleThey cause us hearty joyThe quick and brainy ladWe treat with bloated scorn We do not want to see himHis greatness will offendWe want to swell but failOppressing those that try. samuel nze


Orisa Bunmi She is an African goddessHo haShe has a lovely sportHo ha Bend with graceUpon your faithful servantsThey love youO African goddess! She is a frightful goddessHo haShe has a defiant stareHo ha Speak with fireTo your loyal servantsThey obey youO African goddess! She is a loving goddessHo haShe has a caring soulHo ha Weep with pityFor your distressed childrenThey adore youO African goddess! samuel nze


Pain Is Not A God Pain is not a godIt doesn't have to rule our heartsIt may comeBut it doesn't have to stayChase it away. Far to the abyssTo the bottom of the seaTo be with the sea monsterTo be with the shellsFar far away. Pain is not a godIt doesn't have to oppress our soulsIt may comeBut it doesn't have to spoilOur solace and peace. samuel nze


Painful Loss Sorrowful hearts remind me ofPainful lossPeople mourning with me atDeprivation so grossThe bossA willing tyrantHas a penchantFor bloodAt a solemn tossOf the coin of fateHead or tailWill bring forth its own taleAnd the candy flossIs soon replaced with grateBecause my mother is lateAnd her spouse as wellIs the late. samuel nze


Papa Loves Me. Yes indeed papa loves meBecause I praise him inMy actions and attitudesBouncing in gloryRadiating inexplicable lightA testimony of truthAnd successPeople see and come to acceptThat I am a son of lightOf graceAnd of the glory emanatingFrom deep within my beingPapa loves me because IDo him proud always. samuel nze


Passion HotHeavingHeartHopingForFreedomFromFearToTasteTruthTotallyAndAbideAstrideAmityInIdealIngenuousInspiration samuel nze


Perfect Stories Jesus' was a perfect storyGranted by his fatherTo die for the sinnerTo carry his cross.Gandhi's was a perfect storyDesigned by fateTo fight for the freedomOf his beloved state.Mohammed's was a perfect storyDestined and trueTo seek the truthIn the garb of religion.I am a perfect storyOrdained by GodTo be the very bestThat I can be. samuel nze


Persistence Like a road to heavenIs persistenceWe walk down itGales blowRain fallsThe sun is at its worstWe meet cynicsWho sneerWhere do you thinkYou are going?ClownsWho jeerYou thinkYou can make it?But we go onThat same roadPersistent upon our courseOne destination stillA peaceful end. samuel nze


Plato Has Said Plato has said aFool at forty is one foreverHe did not rememberThe senile jesterSolomon has said it pains him toSee a man proud over nothingHe did not rememberThe vain politicianSocrates has said aReckless life is not worth livingHe did not remember the hopeless libertineI have said it is uselessCategorizing humanityI did not rememberThe sages of old samuel nze


Plotting My Downfall In the unsure pain of my heartI kept my pulse beatingUnsteady, unsure -I was sick with worry,Yet I had to go on.Mediocre filth was all round mePressing its summary advantage;People without purposeAimed at deflating my pride:I was arrogant,An upstart,I had to be stopped;I was ill-mannered,A daredevil,I had to be harangued.Brash and uncouthThe users found me hard;The oppressors and enviers waited -All plotting my downfall. samuel nze


Poetic Wells A collection of wordsFrom the nib of my penWhen arranged in indented linesWill make a poem But it is not just wordsOn their ownMy heart joins inTo give them weight Wells of feelingAre dug in my heartBy endless life experiencingFrom youth My pen is the draw bucketThat gets the water outAnd pours them onto the paperSo you can drink in samuel nze


Poverty Is Not A Calling Poverty is not a calling,Even if the priests think it is.Poverty is a distraction,The intellectual must think it so. Think of the books you could have boughtHad you had money,Or the food you may have eatenIn a posh hotel. You soak garri in waterAnd wipe your mouth,Then put on a fine shirtSo no one will know. You are a lie - you know you want more;Chicken dipped in sauceAnd maybe some wine too,But you cannot afford it. You are illAnd so run to the chemist;No doctor for you,A card is three hundred naira. Pain killers, multivitamins and blood capsules,You will still have change;Why then bother with the syringeOr the bespectacled grave face? You see?Poverty denies you the good life;You cannot do whatYour seeming betters do. You discover it is a sad state,Poverty is not a calling;We both know that,Even if we pretend not to.


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Pride Is Power Is pride power?Think of that womanSmugly ensconced on herBackrest.She would prefer to giveOf her wealthThan beg for anything.She is proudAnd exerts powerOver her beneficiaries.Think too about thatBeautiful girlWho shakes her bottomsThis way and thatOn the road;She woos boysBut does not show it.She is proudAnd exercises powerOver her lovers.Or is it the politicianWho preaches prosperityAt the political rallyWhere voters assembleAfter favors received.He is proudAnd exercises power over the electorate. samuel nze


Profuse Strength Profuse strengthAgile walkDressed in blackRuthless stareHardened heartGrim visage -He want s to make itAnd he will.Smug laughterHearty smileLeisurely strollCalm demureOpen handsProud strutHe has made itAnd he knows. samuel nze


Realization Esoteric realities are round usBut we are too busy to notice.In our hearts we feel estrangementWhen we know too much.There is lonelinessAnd irritation in our souls.Black pictures from the pastTry to humiliate us -You are not as good as you think.Wake up man,You are a nobody!Stop! You're hurting me -You are the one who are a nobodyOppression is your game,But you will fail.Then tell me about your friends,Do you have any?I ought to. Am I not attractive?Are you?Think - they think you show off;They do not appreciate you,You are not of their clique.You have never been.So?Think. Resign yourself to fateOr better still to reality.You are just one poor loner.Poor? But I dress rich.Are you rich?Am I not? You tell meYou would be richBut where is the money?Some in the bank...Where else?I laugh at you, Sam -You are too young.You have no true friends;You should have known that before now.Things do not work that way,


You do not make life;Life makes you.Allow it. Just stay...Wait.I will. I must. samuel nze


Rear Boxes Our frienship is forgottenStashed away like rear boxesIn which were piled rejectsFrom last year's choicesYou made them. You gave me no spaceTo contributeYou placed me on a scaffold,Parodied a session;Accusations were the profferedI was guilty of courseYou were just in sentencing. Even now those boxesKeep the rearThey truly are rejectedForgottenLike our own friendship. samuel nze


Reconciliation AgainWe meetLastIt was warAggressionFrenziedPassionAffrayOf twoHeartsTodayIHopeIt willBe blissJoyful reunionReconciliationOf twoHearts samuel nze


Results Oily mouth justified by muddy handsFull barns topped of green fieldsProfitable employment after hard studyFull bank account fed by fruitful work Happy home derived from good marriageUseful children resulting from prim trainingPeaceful neighbourhood oiled by diplomacyProsperous country manned by good leaders Quiet old age because of moral youthParadise gained by charitable livingProgressive existence inspired by thriftinessInertia consolidated by steady movement. samuel nze


Revival The pastors will soon comeWith the choristers singingTunes of the revivalAnd the spiritual hymns The breath is freshLoud-mouthed soloistsHave welcomed airTo compete with dinner Allow him to kiss youNo harm intendedIf he was passionate aboutThe Jesus he never saw Will he not be passionateAbout you - youYou with your breast quarrelingWith your lean blouse! samuel nze


Rich And Poor People Rich and poor peopleHave the same troubleThe former from overeatingThe latter from swelting Both die just the sameRich people always restThe poor are lameYet endure the test Rich man poor manBoth are the very sameNo one cares or canLay on either the blame I am poor but was richI will still again be richI was smug but now sweltingI want to be more a blessing. samuel nze


Rich Poverty On The Vulgar Street What critics may think improbable,Today I saw with my own eyes;In case you think it a fable,Recall that I tell but few lies. A hawker was answering a phone,He had a call and was responding;Had it bought it on a loan,My curiosity to wonder was tending. There was the spectacle before me,Rich poverty on the vulgar street;I felt in passions and frenzy,The joy of my heartbeat. Let the poor and the rich talk,To people far away by waves;Not just the great may balk,The common man too craves. A phone is no more a status symbol,If an urchin can own it;We feel it an idol,I know for sure it isn't. samuel nze


Riddles Purple blood rising with redAvailing osmotic imbalanceBringing forth disquietSlipping taut with winsomeness Bring it on, bring it onLet me taste the quirkPalate with remorseful blendingSedate with the aroma of pain Alas the day has comeWhen I no longer quiz the endThe tentative allureThe summary relaxation Greater men have slumpedAlong the same tortuous pathThey have wondered why theyCould not make it to the end. samuel nze


Saturday Today I will tell a storyAbout today,It will resemble the storyOf poverty.I did not eat throughoutYesterday eveningSo I woke up feeling weak;I lolled on my bed,No NEPA;I had fought with heatAll through the nightAnd here I was sweating,Weak, hungry and temptedWith irk.I got up from the mattressAnd went to greet myNeighbors on either side;The one on the leftIs a boy who has a black heartBut tries to wash itWith costly bleach;I avoid him as much can.The one on the rightIs a bitter old womanWho tries to hide her hateBehind costly smile;I avoid her as much can,So I return after a briefChit chat with eitherTo say my morning prayers.They last an hour and half;In them I remind GodTo kill my enemiesAnd to make me succeed soon soonSoon enough to hastenTheir death.Prayer over, I go to scout for waterIn rich men's houses, whereWater shares their homes;


In poor men's homesWater is a vagabondThat must be sought after.So I get hold of a jerry canAnd three buckets and begin my hunt.A kind man gives me water,God's free gift whichMen make costly,And I return to wash and cleanMy hopes.I then relax a little,Play computer gamesAnd cook rice.My rice has just been put down from the stove;When I complete this long poemI will go batheAnd return to eat.Later in the afternoonI will go to the weddingAt a suite close by here.What a Saturday!Which of the two do you like:The poem or the Saturday -Which really? samuel nze


See Him Approach See him approachIn his cragly wagHis silent trumpetingOf poverty.Scruffy ladYou arouse my pityMy nose is looseBecause of you.You approachIn your cragly wagYour silent trumpetingOf poverty.Scruffy ladHe arouses my pityMy nose is looseBecause of him. samuel nze


Serene Evening Azure, soothing, coolSo I find this eveThe leaves are playingWith one another joyfullyIn the church, singingCompliments the rustling melodiesThe clear face of the skySmiles congruent, not bashfulNot glaring eitherWhite butterflies enjoyThe choir and the leavesBoth in concert harmoniouslyCool, with tonic sol-fa mixingTrite, yet full of pleasureMy heart joins the chantSilently, exultant, clearNo more of those emotionsThat caged meThe sonorous keyIn the gate of my warm blood houseWill leave me for now and for then. samuel nze


Shadows In An African Jungle. You say I walk faster than my shadowAnd why notThere are too many shadows in AfricaGloom, defeat, despairAll are in meBut I must transcend themI must be what I must.To the African jungleWhite enslavers came with gun powderTo shoot me down if I ranLike a monkey.I was to go with them in chainsTo the Americas.I was to work their farmsI was to die if I fell sick.The row-row water turned my bellyIn big ocean-going vessels.I was told to hush hushEven when I would cry aloud.When I got to AmericaThey changed my nameOnyenachia is too longYou must bear Samuel.No problem.They give me a spade andI begin to swotDig inDig outOops - are you tired already?You black man silly -Crack of the whipAnd I begin to swot againDig inDig outWork till dusk.I prayGod I am sick of thisI need you to save me.And he does.


The white man does no workBut soon he is tired of keeping meWorking for himSo he orders me to leave.I rejoiceAnd return to the dark jungle.To my chagrinThe shadows are still thereGloom, defeat, despairAll are still in meBut the faces of my brothers are changedThey do not recall me.Hello?Even my language is strangeI pleadShriekPersuadeCoaxThey cannot understand meI am sick againNot with row-row waterBut with alonenessI am sick sick sick of itI prayGod help meAnd he does.Soon I must return to AmericaBut not as a slaveNot as SamuelBut as Onyenachia againA free manOnyenachia Munachim. samuel nze


She Lied And Died She lied and died,Ananias's wife fellAt Peter's feet byThe command of God. Did you sell your fieldFor such a price?Of course I did;It was a lie. Her hubby corroboratedHer false testimony andAt Peter's feetHe too died. They lied and died,Two two-mouthed fellows;They sold their fieldBut hid the real price. Don't lie and die,Speak always the truthSo that at Peter's feetYou do not similarly fall. samuel nze


Sighs When the heart heavesAnd air is let outIt is a sigh.Emotion rising to the flurry,We often know the cause;Dispirited moaning,Impassioned feeling -All we desire leaves usDry; unaccomplished.The sigh seems to condone,Even if it does notDo so well enough. samuel nze


Silent Jibes The music is in me,draws me into myselfbut now I am weak,too sluggish to use my bodyfor what I longed forhas simply eluded me. samuel nze


Silhouettes Shadows stalk by our wallTracing a frame of me and my brotherAs we sit side by sideOn the corridorSilhouettes of our companionshipSilhouettes of our loveSilhouettes of our friendshipShadows stalk by our wallTracing a frame of life itselfLife that is sharedEven if not anticipatedLife that is livedEven if not masteredLife that is enjoyedEven if not conqueredShadows remind us that even if we are intelligentWe do not know enoughNot enough to trustNor to conquerNor to succeed.We need something outside ourselves.We need all of life itself;We need each otherEven when we do not knowEach other well enough samuel nze


Silver Lights The night with its silver lightsCaresses my window sillNight of nightsSo calm, so still Refreshing, that's what I call itI feel the zestOoh, it touches my stomach pitMy soul is at rest. I shiver with melodyAs my body vibratesWith the solemn evening symphonyMy head simply rotates Round and round I swingImagining my lover in my armsI hear Celine singThe blues and solemn alarms In my chest begin to soundWith a happiness carefreeNewly foundFor my lover and me. samuel nze


So Mama use to chideDon't punctuate all your storiesWith so.Then she would addSoWhat next? samuel nze


Some People Say Some people sayThey have not sufferedAnd in truth they may not have;We haveAnd know what it feelsTo endure the pain of deprivation,The harsh reality of povertySeeking to throttle us;Choking, coughing, crying blood,Sweat, bile, hate -Passioned heaving;We try to adjust our thoughtsTo hope for a better nation,A richer economy in a stable polity.Even America that now gloriesOf all the worldOnce too was poor. samuel nze


Song And Dance Till dusk tomorrowYou play your lute;Birds above your headSupply needed chorus. The wind punctuates the stanzas,Happy melody and relief;The calm rippling isIn your chest. Pipe and reedSupplement percussion;Sekere and gong,Added audiophones alluring. Sing in synchronization,Sombre symphony;Mild and mellow,Graceful and neat. Tonic solfaSupplies its own arithmetic;The scientific art of musicInspires the genius. Clap your handsAnd shake your lean bottoms;You must danceSo the ballad is saved. Dum dum da da da,Haroo haroo ha;Limdim cha limdim cha,Songs from the skies. Don't leave so soon,Enjoy the song still;We play on and on,We do not stop.


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Soul Wars The din inside the ribs shakesThe still atmosphere is replacedBy endless turmoilThe blood heats up Let there be peaceThis is the certain wishLet the rays of prayerFill the doubt of my soul I am humble about lifeMeek about salvationI am like PaulFearing and trembling Let there be peaceThis is the certain wishLet the rays of prayerFill the doubt of my soul My insecurity threatensTo eat me upMy endless longingFrights my spirit If my certain wish isLeft unansweredIf there is no prayer rayTo fill my soul Then know thatThe endless search will keepThe painful musingsWill outstretch the livelong day. samuel nze


Souls If you put your headOutside your bedroom windowAt nightYou will feel a gust of airThe sea would be wooing youAnd you would feel too powerlessTo resist Aroma and soundSilent and reassuringRomantic and suaveLove and aura. If you go on a walkSomewhere on the lawnIn the afternoonYou would sweatThe sun would be blaming youAnd you would feel too guiltyTo argue Heat and humidityMerciless and conqueringFiery and stiffAnger and hate. If you sit at homeSmug on the sofaIn the eveningYou would lollThe clouds would be caressing youAnd you would feel too lazyTo run Blue and whiteCoaxing and refreshingCalm and quietPeace and love.


Our souls are a myriad of emotionsA well of diverse frenziesOur souls are fullOf liquidsPassion, guilt, sadness, joyOur souls are like God - omni capableAnd anyway, he made them. samuel nze


Spear A spearLongSharpPointedCan draw bloodWhose blood?Certainly not mineCould it be yours?God forbid -Whose spear is it anyway?Not mineHersThe gladiator'sBoughtFromOverseas.Take it back thenNo way!You care so much for itYou take it back. samuel nze


Spells Spells trying to close my eyesWitch doctors are dictatorsTrying to destroy the bright futureWhich Yahweh has made for meShall I let them succeed?I should do well not toI may seek to swell my future prospectsBut the Spirit is still in chargeOf each and everythingI will succeedWhen the time of God comesTill then I shall prayAnd seek well the face of God. samuel nze


Step Up, Step Up Masks on the faces I seewhich come to danceThey step up, step upThe oil is on canvasYet the painter is deadOn those rails I see bloodYou wish to see too?Then step up, step upMama Gita, where is your galToday of daysThe dance of dancesWhen garlanded maidensStep up, step up?Does she shy away From men, eligible bachelorsJust in from the tumblesProving themselves cats?Remind her that her cronieshave long since tied the knotAnd buried placentas underThose tall tall trees.Oh, there she is at lastCome on, hurry!Step up, step up. samuel nze


Stomachache GrrRumblingBogo bogo bump!Your stomach is on fireAnd you are restive.You have eatenA little too much sugarAnd your belly is angryFor all the labour youPut it through.It is true you are masterBut must youDrive a willing horse to death? samuel nze


Struggles Struggles with painAnd disappointment are killingMake me shiver with gloomBecause they offer no respiteSave the looking at tomorrow.Negligent griefCares less for my emotionsEnemies watch for my fallGive me cause to ponder onThe expediency of humanEffort at regaining lost portionsOf the heart fromEerie clutches of despondency. samuel nze


Suffering African Child My little brother,I sympathize.The hand across your nose,The sniffsAll remind me that youBehold me with tear-filled eyes.But what can I do;I am not liberated yet myself,Can I help you?It is your leaders you must look at;It is they who have slapped youAcross the mouth,Exhanged you for money;Taken your share ofAll there is.I despair at you enfant -Will tomorow be a better day? samuel nze


Sunlight Today The harsh tyrannical sunAlarms me todayBy its fierceness -It is so hot!Jeez - this weather!I sweatAnd my shirt is washedAll over againHopeless caseBloody tyrantGet off my case,Will you! samuel nze


Tango The dark was a friendFor their tango;In the blanketsIt would be bliss.Silhouettes of two formsJoined by passionate activity;It was a feverIn their bones.There was moaningAnd a creaking of the bed;A shout was the climaxThe denoument was relaxing.He rolled over and saidI love you;Then he sighed deeplyAnd went to sleep. samuel nze


Tedium Tallow Pander after beauty,The bounty minds the cost;An aura of praiseHaloes the bifurcationOf a million starsThat tell of cosmic sport.Pride castigates in partBut steals the day;Pears fall sealed,Corn and beansWash away appetite;We place all our cardsOn the table at home;Shops closed with books,We go off to school;Marathon the coming dayWill precede sleep. samuel nze


The Beat Calls in the moonWith thoughts of desired loveMy brother's heartIs the destination. Thoughts of my brotherFill me with loveMake me longFor his face. Calling him at nightIs soothingThe responseHeavenly. His heartBelongs to meI love himAnd he loves me too. samuel nze


The Love I Bear An African Woman You are my sister,African woman;You smell like the ashOf the mud-house kitchen;You look like the charcoalThat is left of the woodThat feeds the fire.I know your tears,They prick my heart;Your voice is the sonorousSilvery attractionThat moves my limbs,And your breasts attract myLook and sigh.I love you, African womanAnd if I had moneyI would marry you;Your father is a clan chiefWith a big palace inThe village;Your mother has learnt bookIn the modern schools;All your siblings snub others,They will snub me too.I fear, my woman;I fear to be the fool,The moron beforeYour father's scrutinizing stare,Your mother's censuring;Your siblings' reproach.I refrain from causing you shame,Pain and longingFor a better bargain.Look to me then my sisterAnd tell me;What is it about me that you love?My demure, my fear,My insecurity over everything?Halt - I know the answer;


You look atThe love I bear you. samuel nze


The Market Is Full Today The market is full todayTraders till dusk will stayThe buyers troop inThe area is a dinCome away, little oneOr you will get lostAnd then mama will cryLet me buy you a bunDespite the costOr even a fryI will not have you lostAt whatever costThe buyers keep trooping inThe area is still a dinthe market is full today. samuel nze


The Mystery In Love There is mystery in loveWhen I am in AfricaAnd the only one I love isOut there in AmericaI dunno what he is doingI dunno what he is thinkingI dunno what he is feelingThere is mystery in loveI sit at the computerI log onto the internetTo reach out toThe only one I loveTo find out what he is doingTo find out what he is thinkingTo find out what he is feelingThere is mystery in loveA girl wants to be with meShe wants my attentionShe wants my sympathyBut she is not the one I loveHe is in America, my brotherHe is far away, the one I loveMy heart longs for himHis soul drags me to the computerAnd when I sometimes catch himI ask him what he is doingI ask him what he is thinkingI ask him what he is feelingTo solve the mystery in love. samuel nze


The President Tells Assembly The presidentTells AssemblyWe shall importToothpicks Assembly repliesOf courseWe have a traditionTo import everything O yesThat is quite trueWe even import paraffinFrom sold crude oil Smart Assembly menSays heThat is how it shall beAn import intensive economy Back slaps of joyAs the House closesHappy senatorsLeave the Assembly The presidentChecks the timeA fine wristwatch sirA senator observes Thank youIt is gold all throughAnd as you may guessIt is imported too samuel nze


The Rain Comes Just The Same The voyagers beheld the sky intently'Will it rain?If it does our journey is spoiled;It had better not.'But the clouds took in just the same,Conception is erratic sometimes;Dark nimbus above their headsLike swords of damoclesThreatening a watery onslaught.Drip drip dripBefore the torrents,Merciless deluge in sharp laddersBeat staccato on their temples;The old friar praysAnd bolsters his fellows.'The rain came just the sameIt cared too ill for us.' samuel nze


The Red On Our Streets He was his mother's sonBefore he joined the army;He who joins the armyHas no mother. He has sold his willTo an iron godThat spits fireAnd orphans children. There are many of themIn the barracks;Orphaned with parents,Wills sold to iron gods. Blood is on the streets;Wine of rebellious arteries,Freedom fightersAre imprisoned in battles. The iron godsRule our land;They take our youth away,While the umbilical cord remains Buried under the palm tree,Upon which are red nuts;The red of fire in the iron godForetells the red of blood on our streets. samuel nze


The Roads The roads split in twoBelie portents of shameThe crooning livelong dayAstride illustrations of the pastTo outstanding yonder blissOf sworn comfortsFor many seasons;The roads lead nowhere yetBut in time they lead toA glorious brighter end. samuel nze


The Sun Casts Its Fierce Eye. The sun casts its fierce eyeOn the swarthy ladOut in the fieldsWhere might is right. Might is rightIn the African jungleIn the tyranny of armed overlordsThe toughest rules. The toughest rulesIn a lawless stateDemocracy thrown out the windowThe winner takes it all. The winner takes it allIn the battle for supremacyThe poor are further deprivedThe rich keep getting richer. samuel nze


The Sword Of Passion The sword of passion between my thighsIs rigid; you touch my hairy chestAnd stroke my trunkDipping your finger in my belly-button;The sword hardensBut you are not finished yet:You tease, caress, please meHead, neck, ear sucking and licking down, downTill you mouth the sword.I gasp; spasms and tremors; my head runs riot,Still you are not done.You free the sword and push me down flatFalling astride and sheating the blade:You sheathe, you removeYou sheathe, you removeYou sheathe, you removeApparently, you cannot make up your mind:You sheathe, you removeYou sheathe, you removeYou sheathe, you removeYou cannot decide what you want,You sheathe, you removeYou sheathe, you removeYou sheathe, you removeThen suddenly you jerk and shout,Dig your fingers in my skin;Your eyes dilate and you are in shockClinging unto me as if for lifeI am infected and I hold on to your torsoI feel something hot and fluid leave meThen you fall flat on my bellyTears are in your eyes and on my hairy chestAre you sad that you could not make up your mind? samuel nze


The Train Accident Spirits on the railsWait for the cabooseJust to tip it overSo children will die Angels on the linesEscort the small tramJust to keep it uprightSo children will live Children in the trainSing their lofty tuneOblivious of threatWanting to survive Obstruction on the pathPortends ugly doomSinister of causeWanting to destroy The spirits will fightThe angels defendWhen the obstructionTrips the fated tram JikolojiThe tram is trippedIt begins to burnIs anyone dead! Some of then are killedMany more injuredFew of them are scratchedSome strangely saved The caboose will burnThe dead will be mournedThe living proceedTo tell their tale.


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The True Friend The true friend does notCompete with youIs not envious eitherHe does not wish to outdoAll your many successesA true friend loves youValues youDoes not want to overshadowAll your numerous exploitsIs it not a true friend that caresConsoles youAnd does not laugh atAll your nagging little sorrows? samuel nze


The Underpinnings Of My Dreams When I search for motivesTo my thoughts and dreamsI find little material.I search deeperInto the hollows and crevices of my mindTo unveil associationsDirectly alien to my thoughts -Could it be just my moods,Or the strains of past experiencesAs they come flooding in;Could it be sounds outside the windowInjecting into my slumbering duty?Could it be malicious witchesAiming to frustrate my bliss;Or is it just me and my idlenessSeeking an unconscious relief from realness?I continue to quizMeditations upon the bargainTo grasp the truth,The utility of which to put paidTo the endless search to the underpinningsOf the intrigues of my mind. samuel nze


The Virtue Is To Trust The virtue is to trustTo have faith in the face of strainWe must rest secure inThe truth that God caresIf he doesn't who else will?It was he who designed usTo occupy the cosmic estateHe who ties us firm toHis apron strings.It is God who envelopes usAnd wraps us in smug comfortThe Lord who will uphold usWhen in quandary samuel nze


Their Eyes Open Brightness of solar smirkingEncourages fruitful activityMen look for moneyWomen for loveTheir eyes open Few hours agoThe bed was kept warmGroggy ballsLooked wonderousIn strange statesChasing summary delusionsSeeing events with eyes closed Now the bustleAt last concerns themAmbition speeds onThe clock on the mantlepieceKeeps their eyes open. samuel nze


There Is A God There is a godMoving in this roomStealthily but surelyMagnificent in his stride In this roomThe light footfalls you hearBelong to a gentle giantMoving stealthily and surelyMagnificent in his stride Like the soft breeze heraldingThe Supreme DeityMet by the weary prophetOutside the mountainLike the sweet softness ofWhispering palm treesAnd the hush-hush atA solemn burialThe presence of a godIs felt in this room. samuel nze


They Thought I Was A Thief Too They thought I was a thief tooGet those handcuffs jiffilyLet us brace himHow I quaked! In terror we prayGnash our teethOur knees knock,Our hearts resigned to fate. It was my voice and identificationThat affected my releaseI was simply luckyOne of them knew me. In terror we prayGnash our teethOur knees knock,Our hearts resigned to fate. Now I can exhaleI came closely calamityJaws of exclusion closed in on meBut Samson's grip loosed them again. In terror we prayGnash our teethOur knees knock,Our hearts resigned to fate. I swing and exalt like LekelekeBut I also quiz;If God dwells in thick darkness,Must I too? In terror we prayGnash our teethOur knees knock,Our hearts resigned to fate.


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Thinking In A Dark Room I was thinking in a dark roomThe room was darkAnd my thoughts were dark too.The light was off in the hallThe light was off in my brain too.I was thinking long and hard,Thinking in that darkDark room. Plenty of worryPlenty of strifeLong and traumaticDeep and relentlessI was still in that dark unlit room. No one came to see meI was all aloneIn my world andNeeding my spaceI had only my thoughts for fellowI strove hard on my ownI wanted to be freeBut I had to slave to win the day Plenty of worryPlenty of strifeLong and traumaticDeep and relentlessI was still in that dark unlit room. I was frenzied yet dispassionateTortured yet calmI was needing friends yet aloneI was drunk with sorrow -The world was buffeting meAnd I was too distraught to resistI was needing comfortBut all I got was painNeeding a shoulder but getting only a rocky pillow


Plenty of worryPlenty of strifeLong and traumaticDeep and relentlessI was still in that dark unlit room. Visions of today melting into the nextIn that unlit roomReveries from yesterday mingling with the distant pastThere was no hope for remedy, no hopeFor extrication fromPainWorryDisturbance of the soulOr maybe I was payingFor my sinsThe wrongs of my youthMaybe I was paying for the evilsI had committed as a kidI was derailingMy spirit needed restBut I needed to workAnd could afford it no respiteOne needs another working for him to restBut I was all aloneI was by myself. samuel nze


This Fat Woman. The other day this fat womanCame to visit usShe nearly broke the chairIn which she sat. Excuse me madamCould you change seatThat one is already creakingIt will soon fall. O dearShe criesIt is what the bike riderTold me a while ago My tyres are going to fallUnder your weightChoose another bikeMine is old. samuel nze


This Girl Will Drive Me Mad Why should I worry my headTrying to impress Ugonna?I am sick of it! This girl will drive me madIf I do not watch it. Yet she is a queenAnd deserves the best -But she has called me a nobody This girl will drive me madIf I do not watch it. this must stop immediatelyIf she cannot like meI will not think to force her This girl will drive me madIf I do not watch it. I will be myselfWhether or not she caresI will refuse to impress her This girl will drive me madIf I do not watch it. samuel nze


Thought Or Romance Mama's world is different than papa'sHers is romanceHis is thought;Thought and romanceWhich do I prefer?I prefer mama's world,TearsJoyPassionLove;A kaleidoscope of hearts,A diversity of human expression;Children playAdults kissOld men stroke the beard gently;Even the sunIs not harsh,Casting as it doesWarm glistening showers andNot the harsh passion ofDrearyPondering. samuel nze


Thought Processes For thought processesAnd decisions to be madePain is in the heartTroublesome worryMakes us sighWe want to do rightBut it is too hardEvil seems alluringAnd cheapWe can buy it with timeSpent in idlenessQuirks of the spiritAnd selfish longing for pleasureSummary bliss often welcomesAn eternity of painful regretFalse decisionsLead to agonizing fateIt is our thought processesThat require a world of industrySome to make us glowOthers to make us ill. samuel nze


To Be A Lecturer I will not be a lecturer -No sir!To be a lecturerIs to serve an ambivalent lord,The government.I sweat to prepare my notes,I task my students,Expect them to put in their best,Hope to get rewardedAt least financially -Whossai!The government looks at meMoroselyAnd makes countless promises.They talk and keep tongue in cheekI know they like to talkLong, fine speechesOf course meaning nothing,But when action is demandedThere is no help, no support.I am fed up with the governmentAnd the systemThat chokes education;When will we be like evenGhana,A fellow third world nation,In educational excellence? samuel nze


Today Thinking thoughtsMeditating meditationsFeeling feelingsToday.Today is like any other dayThey say the sun has risen in the EastSoon they will see it set in the WestIt happened yesterdayIt will happen tomorrowIt is happening today.They say soPrescribe a remedy for social confusion.The rule of lawThey say soBut some men circumvent it.'All men are equalBut some are more equal than others.'They say soAnd they are rightPerhaps.Today she will return like always -Usually the same processWe will gather to welcome her homeBut she will still go away again.Nothing seems completeIt was so yesterdayIt will be so tomorrowIt is the status quoToday. samuel nze


Today Differs, Painful And Ill Liquids hot and perturbingWell up in the heartThey sting and smart,My stomach is now troubling I was serene, calmYesterday was very mildThere was no stinging, no curseNothing was troubling me Today differs painful and illRoaring agitation in the headIt hassles me stillMy eyes are all red I was indifferent, gayYesterday was very mildThere was no hassling, no ruseNothing was bothering me The afternoon is a tyrantSunny oppression and sandBikes stall and stand,Riders are so adamant I was carefree, gladYesterday was very mildThere was no stalling, no fussNothing was troubling me I try to read, to writeMy fingers quiverThe pen is full of spite,I have a nagging fever I was peaceful, smugYesterday was very mildThere was no spiting, no quirkNothing was troubling me.


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Tsunami Tale God was cookingHe put the fuelIn the stove's sinkThen he threw in the matchToo late - he threw it foulAnd it will explodeIn the sinkWith the fuel.He gets water quicklyTo halt the blastOn cup and twoPour pour pour.Then comes the blastGbam! The pot is brokenAnd the table as wellAll that was arranged thereuponIs thrown into the waterDrip dropping to the floor.Salt dissolves quickly. samuel nze


Tsunami's Fate. There has been disaster lateIn the vast Asian estateGroups and people now donateSteady they Tsunami's fateGifts or money they will paySizes which no one can sayIt has always been the wayNow to give or least to prayStruck though not by human swordMan and beast are now devouredIt has been a bitter gourdUnto them thus now outpouredMany lives are lost to usSwallowed up in earthly fussThe ill-fated omnibusFares a population thus. samuel nze


Ugonna My lofty eagle,how I think of you as Igaze into the sky to behold yoursiblings drift through,wings going platter-a-platterIn the golden sun.You are resplendent my love inyour simple greatness,Dark practicality and nimble demure.Come into my arms forrespite; I swoon to catcha whiff of your smell andthe fragrant warmth of your bodythat enraptures in me thatwellbeing which the sound ofyour voice alone can conjure.It makes me tremble, I canassure you. samuel nze


Uncovered When the age was youngerSwarthy women went aboutNaked.Now the age is olderThey go aboutUncovered. samuel nze


Unless UnlessI think uponThat same truismAndUnless notThe result differsFrom the main.UnlessI work hard with determinationI cannot reach my goalAnd unless notI slack upon the wayI will be a scholarly saint. samuel nze


Waiting Sitting with palm under chinAnd looking at the worldAs it rotates on its orbitWaiting For that somethingFor a relief from painLonging for eternityAndHoping Hoping for truthRealization preceding knowledgeJust hopingFor the substance Of the long long waitIt will come when it willIt will come andHopefully not delay. samuel nze


Waiting For Opportunity When weWaitFor gratificationIt sometimes takesLongBut weSuffer onWithout mindingThe cost we incurHow so manyCountlessOpportunitiesHaving once presentedThemselvesAnd waited longFor our graspFlit past againWithoutWaiting more. samuel nze


Watch It! You want to succeedBut care less about the successOf othersWatch it! I know you are goodBut you are notThe only good oneWatch it! Try to be tolerantOf other people's progressThey want to grow tooWatch it! You are to know thatEgalitarianism is not forcedNot all have equal potentialWatch it! Be the good manI know you areGive others a chance and doWatch it! samuel nze


Water Drips UpIn the skyCloudsHeavyNearingParturitionYour eyesAre cloudsTooMistingNearing spillageSalt dripsWill soonCascadeDownYour cheeksAnd I mayFind myselfSayingTake heartIt isAPity. samuel nze


We Fear To Be Poor Again Sometimes we fear what people may doWhen we brag,When things go too well for us.Our hearts sink at the thoughtOf falling again after having risen.People who knew usWhen we were poor will laughIf we become poor again;His wealth was just a flash in the pan,They would say.That is why we fearWhen we check our pocketsTo find coins instead of notes;When we check our storesTo find empty bags of cereal;When we check our toiletsTo find tablets of soap used up,Then we know we must fearAnd fear indeed.Tomorrow may make us poor again;Our friends will despair againOur enemies will rejoice againWe will go begging again.O God -Teardrops fill our eyes,Our knees knock,Our hearts are weak and melting;Will we be poor again?Those supercilious facesLooking down on us as theyHand down their charities -Take this for supperAnd that for tomorrow.Do you have any beans left?I bought you some onions;Try out these jeans,There - they fit you just nicely.Now do this task for me,I am too tired.


If these days come again -I despair to think of them -I think I cannot bear itI just might faint. samuel nze


We Struggle Here When I came newly to AfricaI met a young manAnd asked him my way aboutThe only thing he told me wasWe struggle hereI did not take him seriously until days laterWhen in my usual evening strollI was robbed of all my moneyI fumed with disgustBut the policeman who ought toShare my irritation simplyReiterated what that lad had saidHere we struggleHe put the here before the struggleI took it as emphasis samuel nze


We Write We create beautyWhen we writeAnd we create art as well.It has been said thatOf all the arts inWhich men excel,Nature's supreme giftIs writing well.We make art come alive;We express thoughtAnd ejaculate emotions;We inspire thoughtAnd create phantasms;The power is in our headsAnd in our pens as well.When our hearts willWe do what we will -We write. samuel nze


Were You Sleeping? Were you sleeping on duty?Who - me?What do you mean, me?Weren't you asleep? O dearI guess I was!I did not sleep last night.And why not? Well, it's like thisThe cat harried the mouseFrom nine to sixNo sleep was possible. To whom are you wed?It is not hard to guess -I am the mouse,She is the cat. samuel nze


What Are My Feelings Like? What are my feelings likeThis Saturday afternoon?They are like a mobProtesting povertyOn a hot day.What are my feelings likeThis Saturday afternoon?They are like a masonWearing wool duringA noon shift.What are my feelings likeThis Saturday afternoon?They are like rollingOn coal tarUnder the watchful eyesOf a grim grim sun. samuel nze


What Exactly Is Faith? What exactly is faith?Faith is like talking firstAnd paying attention later;You assert what you don't seeAnd then remonstrate forNot seeing it. What exactly is faith?Faith is like acting firstAnd explaining later;You do what seems irrationalAnd then justifyYour doing it. What exactly is faith?Faith is like laughing firstAnd brooding later;You rejoice at an aspirationAnd then trustThat it will come about. What exactly is faith?Faith is like thanking firstAnd supplicating later;You believe you have it alreadyEven though you stillHave not prayed for it. samuel nze


What If I Was A Woman? I am a manAnd so I am expectedTo walk and talk toughWith my chestForever quarreling with the wind. But what if I was a woman?Then I could easily singAnd cry without shame;I could follow the samba's leadAnd speak of my romanticUndertones;Dusky dealing,Rolling frolicking lipstickedMouth maneuveringWith my beau. If I were a womanI would seduce the menfolkWith my taut nipplesAnd fish them out ofTheir egoistic pretenses. samuel nze


When I Am Hungry When I am hungryAnd have no money to eatAt least I have hopeWhich keeps me fed for the time beingTill I get moneyTo go to the cafeAnd get myself a meal Hunger is not ignoredExcept in fastAnd even in fastIt is ignored with strength When I get money to eatI am no longer hungryMy hope has paid offHas served its temporary termI am back from the cafeWhere I have had foodTo quell my hunger samuel nze


When I Am Sad When I am sadAnd it seems everyone has let me downAnd my heart is bleedingAnd I feel like cryingAnd I just want to wailWhen I am despondent and totally disappointed, shattered,When I am not at all happyI recall that tomorrow could be betterYes I have enemiesSo many people hate meThey hate my faith, my guts -They hate everything about meThey want me to dieThey do not want to see me smileWhen I am tempted with gloom and despairAnd my world seems to be closing inI reach out my hands not to grasp airI reach out in the hopeOf catching GodOf holding him close on tight. samuel nze


When I Am Tempted MelancholyGloomDespairWhen I am temptedI recallThe days that were brightThey will come againIf I waitHopeLong sufferingPatienceWhen I waitI prayTo Forces that can helpThey usually do. samuel nze


When My Head Is Full When my head is fullFar from trying to empty itI fill it the moreI tell myself what toMake me feel betterInspire faithBuild hopeKeep love aliveI fill it to the brimWith matter that weighsAs light as air. samuel nze


When You Seem Tired When you seem tiredYou need not worryThe journey is tryingI know that well Stifle the yawnAnd brace upYou may be startled to learn thatTomorrow may bring relief It may not be trueThat you are squelchedAd ignorantiam isA fallacy of philosophy The truth is that you seemA little too tiredTell yourself that even so youNeed to get to the end. samuel nze


Which Is Black? Are you a nonentity, African child?Some say you areBecause you are black.I have heard of men whoChange their noses from flat to straightTheir skin colour from black to white;They say it is fashionable.But why not black anyway -Is the race inferior?Quandary indeed.I have heard of men whoPatronize black whores with white skinWhite flesh upon swarthy,Swanking away in the cover of darkIn clandestine exploits;Mix of blood, mix of fluid;All blurred and barely perceptibleIn the shade -Which is black and which, white? samuel nze


Who Killed My Father? Who killed my father,Will he kill me too?What would my fatherHave done for meIf he were alive?He would have given meThe best educationAnd secured me a job,But I can do both on my own.The proof of successIs that though theyHave killed himI still got educated,Will still get a jobMarry, make moneyAnd become the best I can.I know who killed my fatherAnd I pray that he be killed too;I have not lost anything,I will still be all I was meant toAnd then my father's murdererWill be shamed.His hope was thatIf papa died I would be uselessBut I am not;His plans have failed,It is now his turn to dieSo his children can be the onesTo bear the brunt of uselessness. samuel nze


Who Will Punish Time? At the sound of the gunThe squirrel falls deadWho will mourn him?Rain.But who will punish the gunAt the sound of whichThe squirrel falls dead?Rust.And who will punish rustAt whose handsThe gun is punished?Time.So who will punish timeBy whom aloneRust is scathed?Nothing - Time is too strong! samuel nze


Why Do You Worry? Why do you worryWhen your brother growsRicher than you?He will share,Don't worry.You probably fret thatThe fellow will be theUltimate dispenserOf every utility,But that is fallacious;It may be that in some smallOccasion, or in event of aQuandary he willCome to you -Wait. samuel nze


Widow's Mite Alas for the widow's miteThat which Christ adjudgedValuable over the wealth of the richProverbial coinReminds us of the perennial nature ofPovertyWho cares for a widow's mite!Give me many dollarsEven if I give a pinch of itGive me housesEven if I lie in only one bedGive me stores crammed fullWith earthly bountiesI am not a widowAnd I hope not to be one. samuel nze


Wilt Thou Be Made Whole? Jesus looks at NigeriaAs once he beheld the leperHe asks the historic quizWilt thou be made whole? The pharisees are the governmentSneering at this saviourYou must not cure a manOn Sabbath day. Sabbath is everyday in NigeriaWe do not stretch our handsNo healing can take placeIt is hard work. But he still asks,PersistsCoaxes with countless entreatiesWilt thou be made whole? Gloomy import-based economyOne commodity alone for saleSocial injustice the livelong day -And you would not be made whole? The leper stretched forth his handAnd received his healingBut the pharisees withdrew to planTo kill Jesus. We keep our disease coveredWho cares for healing!Jesus withdrawsTo bemoan our government. Our pharisees have the alternativeWe will not be made wholeWe will rather go onThe way we are.


samuel nze


Winding The Clock's Screw Winding the clock's screwRound and roundEnsures that its hands keepMoving;Long hand, short hand keepMoving;They move at the same slow pace,Poco a pocoIn the dayAnd in the night.Millions of ages have soughtTo put paid to thisTimeless phenomenon,But time is ofOverwhelming strength;It keeps going onJust the same. samuel nze


Windy Sun The weather is likeTwo enemies fightingOne hot and passionateThe other cold and longingThe former is a chum of the sunThe latter a friend of the windEach invites his cronyTo a symposiumBlow the windBlow long and hardShine the sunShine bright and splendidWho will outwit the other?We simply change our dress codeTo applaud themWhen the sun gains the upper handWe wear singletsAnd bathe seven timesLike leprous NaamanBut when the wind winsWe wear coatsAnd avoid the waterLike a dressed damselOn the beach. samuel nze


Winsome Long Hours Long hours of dolourCan be winsomeIf you fear lessAnd brave the periodIf you are smugAbout it allI tried to ignore the dullPart of the weekAs well as my moodsI struggled not tobe drowned in theSea of melancholyBecause I was strongThrough all the painI considered myself winsome. samuel nze


Woman Power They say she understandsBody language betterThan men doIt's part of her power. She is relationship savvyMiles ahead of the guysAnticipation a necessary touchShe knows what I wanna say. It's woman powerThis girl has a hold on meShe takes me by the noseShe holds my heart. Shaggy has wonderedIf God is a womanI don't blame himI wonder the same thing. samuel nze


Writing Pen,You intrigue me;Blue ink tailoredIn straight linesLeaves me dazzled;A spirit in youDraws out my heart;You read my mind -How do you knowThose secret thoughtsCaged in my brain?You preempt,PromptPermitThe steady flow ofColourless IdeasAs meaningful blue linesGet spread out neatlyOn the white blank sheet. samuel nze


Years After Let my cry touch you, fateYou who killed my fatherAnd let my mother follow himDown below six years after Let my cry touch you, fateYou who caused my guardianTo hate and maltreat me andDrive me away seven years after Let m cry touch you, fateYou who made me roamWithout a precise future after schoolConfused even five years after Let my cry touch you, fateYou who caused me to beDried up of love now that IMiss mother fourteen years after. samuel nze


Yesterday And Today Yesterday I was sadBut today I am happyThere was about you this fadAnd it made me snappy. We must not quarrel soOur friendship must not sufferI couldn't keep my voice lowIt was all in my ire I could offer. But love should overcome illLet us be strongEvil should not friendship killThat would sincerely be wrong. Today is all that countsIt makes up for the pastTrue peace continues to mountAnd that peace is sure to last. samuel nze


You Enveloped Me You enveloped meWhen others would fleeYou were all steadyThough I was heady. I hassled you longBut you bore the wrongYou studied my moodsI doubted you could. I was tiresomeNot at all handsomeBut you braved the hookNever once forsook. I owe you my lifeYou will be my wifeIt used to be tearsBut love stills our fears. samuel nze


You Want To Kill Me With rat on my chestI had to pray hardI pleaded with GodFrom midnight till dawn I grabbed a bucketTo rub down his carBut this man intonedYou want to kill me Am I to kill youTo make meat for soupAm I to kill youTo use as kpomo? He pointed at meAnd grit his brown teethHe began to sayAll that I did not That he would soon dieHis children would cryThe Nzes would fallAnd I alone stand Am I a dreamerSaying this and thatAm I a dreamerThat you hear me foul? He said to keep shutThat I was wickedHe'd tell the whole worldI needed him dead He fetched his dane gunTo keep at his sideThat when I was nearHe'd ward off the threat


Am I an uzeTo keep me a gunAm I an uzeThe type you shoot at? He called a dibahTo poison my foodHe fashioned a charmTo secure my death He quarreled with meAnd sent me demonsConcoctions and spellsWitches and devils Do you want my corpseFor sniffing the oozeDo you want my corpseFor drinking the blood? I had to escapeI couldn't stay onHe was determinedTo ensure my doom I packed up my bagAnd made for the roadI would change me nameTo Munachukwu Is kinship by forceWhen you want me deadIs kinship by forceWith God on my side? I was a free manNow so for three yearsI left them for goodNever to return I did suffer much


I wept and I painedI tried everythingTo eke out a life Am I not to liveIn my own countryAm I not to liveIn my fatherland? But I didn't loseSee how much I've grownMy chest fends the windO stay back, I say! Assurance increasedI face the wild westReady for all thingsBecause I'm a man Am I not negroidThe eye of the sunAm I not negroidThe hope of the world? samuel nze


Your Envious Brother Ascribe him a nameAnd say it aloudSo that Sekere may be ashamedAnd the samba remorsefulDance in the evesUnder the cover of leavesYou and her beady eyes.She says she loves youAnd you swoonBut she has told him the sameYour envious brotherHe wants to lick your soupHe wants to woo your loverHe wants to loot your store.His eyes water for your riseAnd his lips turn downSlowly slowlyLike Anini of BeninHe stalks you with flashes of hateThe growing malice of rivalryThe curt reply to your good mornings.You should have seen the symbolsLong before HarmattanRain may wash you awayThe man dipping the handIn your pounded yamIs really after your bloodAnd not just your meal. samuel nze


Your Gift The smile on my faceThe joy in my heartThe hope you inspire -All products of your gift. The passion of our loveThe grace of our friendshipThe truth of our brotherhood -All signs of your gift. The will to loveThe strength to impartThe zeal to sacrifice -All dimensions of your gift. You and I are oneYou and are are lovedYou and I are beloved -All sequences of your gift. samuel nze


samuel nze - poems · a tale of two birds this is a tale of two birds sitting on the wall; one was...

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