Title: PUPPY LOVE (Poem)
I made sure my uniform was ever sparkling
My green Khaki shorts well ironed
My light green shirt starched to still
Brown Cortina Shoes polished to glow
With sparkling white Stockings

I sure answer all asked Questions in Class
At the front row where I could be by you
Though I had all writing materials
I would rather borrow from you
I do not go out for break unless you do

I felt all your pains silently, when you are ill
prayed fervently for your recovery
I wished to be sick so I can be with you
In the School Clinic on admission beds

I hated Mr. Akpan our math’s teacher
For difficult questions he asked you always
Questions that earn you his strokes
I hated any, who got you humiliated

Always present at evening preps
Because you do not miss evening preps
I lose focus when you missed prep
I lose concentration when you are present
I was consumed with so much of you

I smiled when I saw you laughing
Even though I know not why you laughed
I behold you innocent Beauty
In your Purple checkered day wear
Twice I Fought Kennedy for calling you names

I wanted so much to be by your side
To be the only Boy you played with
To share my Provisions and Snack with you
I wanted to tell you how I felt towards you
I wished you had read my short messages
Written at the back pages of your books I borrowed

My heart tore to a thousand pieces
When I sought you during Prep Class
Thought you were sick so you missed prep
But you were with Jude in his Class
Side by side you sat chatting and flirting

It killed me to see Jude walking with you
During Sporting activities it was Jude by you
During Manual labor he was helping you out
All I wanted from you you gave to Jude
I failed my examinations because you
You were the answer to all my exam questions

Finally you nailed the Coffin on me
When at close of the Third Term
All were packed and ready to go home
I waited for you to leave before I leave
I would leave but I have with Jude ,scores to settle
But when your Daddy came to take you home
Jude put his luggage in your car and off you all drove.

Title: YOUTHS GONE ASTRAY

Arise o Compatriots
Our youths are going astray
We have left the paths our fathers towed
All, like Sheep's have gone astray
Each sick with the get rich syndrome

The love of Money
The root of all evil
decorum is thrown to the winds
Civility, a thing of the past
Everyone is in a haste to get rich

A Child must first sit, crawl then walk
The durability of a house they say
is dependent on its foundation
Riches would come in due time
There are certain guidelines to ensure it lasts

Corruption! Yes Corruption!!
The bane of our Society
we cry of corrupt Leaders!
But corruption prevails
in all facets of our lives

Every Child is a product of a corrupt Leader
Fathers, Mothers, Teachers, pastors
Every one is a Cheat somehow
The poor cheats to see his Son excels
The Rich man cheats to get his Child richer
Parents bribe their Children's way in Schools
Every Child is a product of an ambitious parent

The eyes of good conscience is ripped off
We celebrate materialism
Today the patient Dog die hungry
Grab all you can when you can
Take your share! It’s a national Cake

Education is thrown to the Winds
Na Certificate I go Chop?
Skills acquisition a thing of the past
how can I be a Shoe maker? A whole me?
Our youths want to eat without sweating

Schemers! Schemers everywhere
Yahoo yahoo! The rave of the moment
Italian runs! South African runs!! Malaysian runs!!!
The latest preoccupation of our youth
for the child that brings money home
the favorite of every parent

Title: ABA MY ABA!!!

Aba! My Aba!!
My beloved home land and abode
The ancient City of my Fore Fathers
The City of the great Ngwa Race
The land of the great Elephants

The Land of merchants and Business moguls
The Land of agile sports men and Women
The land rich in food and waters
Ariaria, Foulks road, Ogbor hill, Azikiwe road, Umungasi, ikot ekpene road.
The Streets and roads that make Aba what it is

The land of great women
History will never forget your exploit of 1929
but what happened to you?
Your beauty, your pride where are they?
Where are the gallant Elephants?

Where are those Industries that made you thick?
Where are your youths?
All like Sheep’s have gone astray
Every one to his Tent like the Israelites
Your youths are scattered about

Like scoundrels they fight for survival
All man for himself, survival of the fittest
Your Streets are littered with dirt’s
Your Air is filled with Stench of pollution
Your Streets and Roads are now dumping ground for refuse and sewage

Mosquitoes sing lullaby in our hears all night
We sleep with one eye open and Ears drawn
Your Youths have become Lazy
They all seek the easiest way out
They resort to crime and vices as means of survival

They lost confidence in their selves, and then the state
The number of Youth Lunacy increase by the day.
Your Maidens pervade the streets at Night
I fear my Shadow at Nights...No one is safe
Fear of Hoodlums, the Police, Army, Bakassi boys


You used to be known for your versatility
now you are tagged king of fake products
you used to be a delight to Investors and Tourist
Now you are desolate, left to die in the pool of your blood
The great Elephant!! Now you trod with head bowed in shame

How are the mighty fallen? Your eyes are beclouded in tears
your skin patched with bruises and scars from your struggles
Aba my Aba, who will bring back your Glory??
You have been lied to for too long
Those you so trusted have always betrayed you

They are Wolves in Sheep’s Clothing
Vampires! They have sucked your Children dry
Like the breast of an old, the water has run dry
They tax your Children with numerous levies
They do not care for your Children

They eat alone, they and their Children yet unborn
They use the Sweat of your Children and build castles in foreign lands
They loot you to enrich other lands
Unrepentant fools they are! They do not hear the wailing of the people.

But I have a dream!
That one day, the Elephant will bounce back
That posterity will catch up with the evil doers
That we shall be free from "our own" that has held us captive
That the length of Port Harcourt road and Aba Owerri road
Shall be liken to the streets of Paris

That investors, Tourist, foreigners shall be struggling to come to our land
That our youths shall make sports and entertainment lucrative
That our children shall become professionals of various endeavors
I foresee a wind of Change
A hurricane, a cyclone that will sweep the land of all ills

And usher in a haven of peace and tranquility
I see the rebirth of my home land for good
Then shall we all gather at the Great Eyimba Stadium
And sing with one voice "Nzogbu! Nzogbu!! Eyii mba Eyii!!!
The dawn of a new era.

MY FATHER'S ADVICE

My father used to say
Remember the son of whom you are
For twenty kids cannot play together for twenty years
Each would wonder his own way, to design for himself, his destiny
Some you meet again, some you meet never again

My Father used to say
Son! You have to be reborn
I may be poor, but you do not have to
I may live in servitude, but you do not have to
My palms and feet may be hard and coarse

That is me! My life! Not you! I am not you
Boy! You came to this world with me as a conduit
I lent you my name so you can have an identity and a root
But do not tread the paths I trod.....you need a rebirth

My father used to say
The world is a battle field; the world is yours to conquer
Only the brave can conquer, just follow your battle cry
No one really cares about you. No! Not one!
For in reality, all man for himself and God for all
Wake up! Smell the coffee! Clear off your illusions

My Father used to say
Son, when I die, bury me here! Here! By my father’s grave
I do not need any fun fair at my funeral
Take care of me when I am frail and when I am gone, let me be
Save your silver, save your gold, take care of the living
For the dead is spent, let me rest in peace
What you owe me Son, is that you show your Children the way to live

My Father used to say
Son! Teach your Children the truth about life
Do not pamper them, for the world does not pamper!
Teach your children to know how to stand alone
For time would come that friends would dessert you!
Teach them to fast seasonally
For time would come when a man would hunger and thirst
Teach them to fight back when pushed to the wall

For Bullies abound every where
Teach your Children to be moderate in spending
For the more you spend, the less you save
Teach them to save money
For unforeseen circumstances will always come up
Teach your Children my Son; teach them never to trust any man
For man is mere Mortal
Teach your Children to run when others are running
Let them dock when others are docking
For a common Dog is better than a dead Lion
Teach your children to Respect the Elderly
For then would they live long on Earth
The prayers and blessings from the Elderly Transcends to the heavens

My Father used to say
Teach your Children to obey Constituted Authorities
For then shall you not be labeled "Enemies of the State"
Teach him not to ague or Challenge his master
For he that pays the piper, dictates the tune

My father used to say
My Son! Fear her, the Woman!
For she is wiser and stronger than you
Do no toy with her heart for she can destroy you
She is like Fire! An obedient servant and a vicious master
Love and respect her and she shall be your slave forever

My Son! He said; do not lift your hands against the Mother or your Children
For her curse in bitterness is eternally indelible
Let the Woman in your life be happy
And Joy shall not depart from thine home

My Father used to say
My Son! Your Palms cannot fool you, use your hands! Work!!
For there is dignity in labor
He said, Son! Abhor laziness
For the man that cannot feed his Family is worse than an infidel

Teach your Children never to procrastinate
For Mr. Opportunity is not a patient man
Teach your children to get education
For with this, you will break barriers and dine with Kings
Teach them to acquire veritable skills
For this will feed them till they are old and frail

My father used to say
My Child, tell your Children about me
Tell them I did not have parent to advice and counsel me
None to educate or care for me and plan my future
Because I am a product of a broken home
Abandoned by Parent and relatives

A poor Sage picked me up and gave me shelter and food
While I served him till he died.
His words I am passing to you and your Children
I will be the last to die in material poverty in my genealogy
As long as you pass these words of wisdom down to your children
And they, their Children.

Then shall my soul rest in peace and I shall revel in in heaven
For good name they say, is better than Silver and Gold
But you my son, and your Sons, shall have it all
Good name and Silver and Gold.

THE WONDERING PROFESSOR


He woke up at the earliest of dawn
from a sleep he hardly had
For his mind had been full all night
Of what fate has in store for him
For the previous day had been bad

It had rained all day
The roads were murky
His favorite spots were messy
The busy streets deserted
for people kept indoors all day

He slept in hunger
terrible dreams turning into nightmares
Kept him away awake all night
His stomach, rumbling and aching
like enzymes feasting on intestines
He had wished for death
For only that would give him rest
He lives in perpetual fear
of seeing the break of another dawn
For how could a man be so poor?
In the midst of so much


The flyovers of Rumuola
Eliozu, mile 1 and Eleme
Offer him shelter every night
He is known by everybody
Yet he knows none of them

Prof! Prof! we all call him
for he was once a school teacher
Nature has turned him a wanderer
he owns nothing, save for the Rags he wears
and the Plastic bowl he carries about
his bowl of course is for multipurpose

He is totally un kept and haggard
he smells about like a he-Goat
With eyes red and angry
for he is always hungry
seeking for busy Streets
as long as there is high footfall
He pitches his tenth therein

With his Bowl in front of him
he calls out to all that passes by
Please help me for I am hungry!!
That is his Song all day
he lives at the mercy of others

He does not have plans for tomorrow
for all his care in this life
is to eat, sleep and eat again
On days that he gets no food
He seeks for food in refuse dumps

He is not insane, no! Not Mad!
But poverty they say is a disease
that would bring a man so low
to the lowest of all esteem
what pride does a beggar have
for really he has no choice!

A CRY FROM BAKASSI

I am called a Child from the Gutter
Because in my Clan our Wallets stutter
Jubilation is absent when my people gather
Because hopes and aspirations have gone asunder

In my Clan survival belongs to the fittest
If you cannot contend then you take a rest
For if the bird does not leave its nest
The hunter cannot make an arrest

Pity Patter Pity patter! Here comes the rain
Each of us, Bowls in hands taking bail
Flooded homes, our possessions on the sail
Patched roofs, blocked drainages, our efforts in vain

Rain! Sun! Harmattan! We go no where
For after the rain we know the sun will appear
To dry up and bring back that which we hold dear
Our land, our home, we are going no where

In Rain and in Shine we endure this pain
Of Diseases and Sicknesses our Children are slain
Living with Crabs and Frogs in full disdain
Waiting for Government to no avail

Like the Bat we are neither here nor there
For Our brothers have sold us for a plate of Pottage
Our buyers see us as excess Baggage
Oh Bakassi! My Bakassi when will the day break?

QUEEN OF THE NIGHT

Behold she comes with her fake Charms
Beaming seductively at every passerby
No one knows her real Identity
To some she is, Sandra, Linda, Queen, Angel.
She comes along same street every night
She is pretty, appealing, every Man's desire
She flaunts her hips and Tits
As She sways to and fro the Street

It's 10pm ,and the moon is full
The Streets besieged with activities
it’s been a hectic day at work
As people were returning home from work
Some need some where to cool off
For the Traffic situation is chaotic
Traffic jam, busy road, under full moon
our lady trots unconcerned
Displaying her Wares to all that cares

Her Skimpy Skirt, Sleeveless Blouse
Would make an Imam Swear
Her Hair is fake, eye lashes fake!
Also are her nails!
Though her Breast seems full
some say its fully padded
Her Legs are long and her Shoes as high
She walks with the gait of a Cat
To the amazement of all she is ever so bold
Plying her trade with impunity
That Shame will be ashamed of her

She stares at you as you stare at her
You will be forced to bow in shame
any Woman who stares at her with disdain
She howls and curse "Ashawo Kobo Kobo"
She is the Lord of the night
In the darkest and loneliest of night
She tread where men dare to go
She scurries towards any car that stops
Any man is a potential Customer
Is it Short time or TDB?
She is ready if you call
It’s all about the cash

Amidst the risks surrounding her trade
She comes out every other night
She is a prey! and this She knows
The Ritualists, hoodlums, the police Men
To these predators, she's in danger
She's been raped, she's been jailed
she's been beaten, robbed and abused
She's been sick and battered

But She comes back to the street after all
She is blind to the risks that stare at her
All she sees is prospect for more cash
And one begins to wonder!
Why is she always in debt?
Why is she always in need?
Why is she never happy?
Why the insatiable appetite?
Why? Why? And more whys

She Claims she is a victim of circumstances
She failed to realize that all men are
Victims of circumstances
It all depends on the choice you make

MY LOVE

As fresh as early morning palm wine
My memory of that fateful day
That your father handed you to my father
Resplendent in your traditional attire
In the full glare of family and friends

To be my wife till death do us part
Inexperienced and naïve as I was
About the institution I just enrolled in
Like an apprentice being set free
To create for himself his own dynasty

I was scared, I was confused
For too many people offered divergent pieces of advice
But as I look back today
To whence we came from
The ups and downs, the roses and the thorns

I give God the glory that it was you I choose
You are a pillar of strength
My spiritual leader, my intercessor
Without you I will be naught today
You brought your charms into my world

And indeed you are a good thing
For Gods favour has been my lot
Since you came into my life
Thank you for our beautiful kids
Thank you for turning my house to a home

Thank you for accepting me and my faults
Thank you for your love and understanding
I can walk tall today because you are by my side
Thank you for making me your knight
You brought out from me the potentials
I never knew I possessed
I will always love you and cherish you.

DESTINY

Personally I had wanted to be a priest
I used to love the gentility and the beauty
The calm and charisma exuded by them
I hated girls because a priest should not love girls
I would beat up any girl whom people tease as my wife
I would ambush and beat her up

Personally I wanted to be in the Army
I loved to see Daddy dress up for work daily
With boots sparkling black and khaki uniform starched to still
I loved to see daddy acknowledge respect from Civilians
Daddy gets away with all traffic offences
All he says is “Espirit de corps” and the police salute him through

Personally I wanted to be a goal keeper
Peter Rufai was my idol
I fantasized been in national colours
And being watched globally
Defending the goal post of our national team
I became the best goal keeper in my school
I envisioned myself lifting the victory trophy

Personally I wanted to be a lawyer
I was good in literature and the arts
Getting good grades in my Art subjects in junior secondary
But my Mother wanted me to be a Doctor
She wanted to be called “Mama Doctor”
So I switched to sciences in my senior secondary
I dropped in my grades class because I could not cope
Benzene, titration, ethanol, too many jargons

Personally I wanted to be a musician
I would draft songs and sing to myself
I wanted to sing, I wanted to rap
I wanted to dance; I wanted to play the Guitar
Facing the standing mirror I would perform
Severally I broke the mirror in the house
By kicking or jabbing accidentally
I wanted to sell albums and become famous
Michael Jackson was my hero
I would perm my air and dance like him

Personally i know that if wishes comes easy
I would have become all I wanted
But today I am just a Banker by learning
And a professional sales man……
Things I never dreamt I would be.

FISHER MAN

Teach me how to fish
Give me no more fish
So I can enjoy and relish
From my own pond of Fish

I want to be free
Like leaves on Trees
Owing no man no fees
Because I was born free

I do not want to beg
Before I eat an egg
I want my farm to tend
So for my own I can fend

For now that I am young
And the carefree world I belong
But I dread to wallow too long
Before you leave for the great beyond

So teach me today
How my nest to lay
So when I come of age
I will have no war to wage

THE GREAT NELSON MANDELA
I know how Madiba felt
Every time the pains pelt
His mind and the walls melt
The love of his people tied around him like a belt

The emotional struggle in his mind to stay alive
Not to bury his country's freedom made him live
Through torture he persevered…inspired
To give death to the racism of life

Every time his name was sung in the streets
Dust ruptured and the people tortured their feet
Dancing for hope that cannot be split
Bring back Nelson Mandela to Soweto bridge

For 27 years he waited like a genie in a bottle
Holding unto life, gathering the throttle
To give freedom to 'Aristotle'
Who holds plans 'he' wishes to scuttle
 
Am glad every time I hear Nelson Mandela!!
It should give hope to people of 'Madalla'
Who has blood stains in hidden babariga
Freedom is perseverance…ask ''Babangida''

I can imagine the joy when Nelson Mandela was freed
The streets was filled with reeds
Even the gods haven't such honour, even in Greece!
Dried bones rattled in Zulu…look at his deeds!

Doves couldn’t fly about, they flew in thick clusters
They was no space to the Xhosa master
Sun of Shaka Zulu with a golden scepter
Freedom Mandela they all hailed!...all the street Rasta's

I know how it felt when he was free
Like a phoenix, he always dreamt, big dreams!
Of such a great day…in his dreams he had nightmares
He never knew he may have to sleep 27 years before the gleam!

lordthunderbolt: THE GREAT NELSON MANDELA
I know how Madiba felt
Every time the pains pelt
His mind and the walls melt
The love of his people tied around him like a belt

The emotional struggle in his mind to stay alive
Not to bury his country's freedom made him live
Through torture he persevered…inspired
To give death to the racism of life

Every time his name was sung in the streets
Dust ruptured and the people tortured their feet
Dancing for hope that cannot be split
Bring back Nelson Mandela to Soweto bridge

For 27 years he waited like a genie in a bottle
Holding unto life, gathering the throttle
To give freedom to 'Aristotle'
Who holds plans 'he' wishes to scuttle
 
Am glad every time I hear Nelson Mandela!!
It should give hope to people of 'Madalla'
Who has blood stains in hidden babariga
Freedom is perseverance…ask ''Babangida''

I can imagine the joy when Nelson Mandela was freed
The streets was filled with reeds
Even the gods haven't such honour, even in Greece!
Dried bones rattled in Zulu…look at his deeds!

Doves couldn’t fly about, they flew in thick clusters
They was no space to the Xhosa master
Sun of Shaka Zulu with a golden scepter
Freedom Mandela they all hailed!...all the street Rasta's

I know how it felt when he was free
Like a phoenix, he always dreamt, big dreams!
Of such a great day…in his dreams he had nightmares
He never knew he may have to sleep 27 years before the gleam!

Guy! I gbadun your rymes! so tight. Well done.

DOMAWOLEYE:



Guy! I gbadun your rymes! so tight. Well done.

thanks Bro. ...We keep improving. ...everyday....

SELF ASSESSMENT

As I stretched and yawn
Welcoming the break of dawn
I heard the crowing Cock
As I hasten to set for work

For a stitch in time
They say saves nine
And early to bed
They say early to rise

I know there is much ado
In the work I do
But it is all I have for now
So I have to make it count

I rather would take this cup
That comes with a cost
Than wait for free mirage
That is ever at large
For a bird at hand
They say worth ten at large
I will build on what I have
For what is mine is mine

I do not envy, I do not pry
The load is heavy, to lift I must try
For the journey of a mile
They say starts with a step

I see light beyond the tunnel
I see silver around the dark cloud
I see light after dark
I see gain beyond the pain

So my pain is for my gain
My groan is for my own
My ache is for my break
My hay I will make by day.

I hail thee, poet. You've got fine poetry.

this is literature. :Dthis is literature.