SILENCE

Mysterious.

Power of the unknown,

Fear of the unpredictable,

Confusion of the ignorant,

All enshrouded in this mystery:

Silence.

Dangerous.

Anger of the wounded,

Grief of the afflicted,

Sorrow of the helpless,

All encompassed in this danger:

Silence.

Golden.

Joys of accomplishment,

Satisfaction and peace of mind,

Submission to the will of God,

All in this wonder-word:

Silence.

MY SECOND COMING

In those days when men were honest

When youth was marked by nature

When wedding entitled one to own a wig and gown

And child birth a wrapper

Only madams, Oga’s madams own two wrappers

Such was the time when I first came.

Later I become despised and cast off

Stretching combs and relaxing creams

Took the stage at my exit

But before their job was done

S.O.S came reeling like London bells

And here I am again.

I have come to cover your multitude of sins

Burnt scalp, dropping hair, scanty hair

Grey hair, undergrowth, dirt

Bulging forehead, bald head…

What better alibi for such deficiencies

This is my Second Coming

WORTHY OF EMULATION

A woman worthy of emulation is she

Who rises at dawn and adores the Lord

Laying at His feet her heart’s desire

With such faith that the Lord replies

“Oh woman, great is thy faith”

Be it done for you as you desire

She delights in the ways of the Lord

And strives to keep His laws

With love for her neighbours as for herself

She trains up a child the way he should go

Praying fervently that he should not depart from it

Crying silently at every sign of ill

She is far more precious than ruby

He who has found her found a good thing

For she does him good not harm

She builds but does not tear down

She gives soft answer that turns away wrath

The heart of her husband trusts in her

She is a noble woman, virtuous and victorious

She is a worthy woman, precious and gracious

Her children, grown up, still call her Mama

Her husband praises her and says:

“Many women have done excellently

But you surpass them all”

She is the like of Hannah, Esther and Ruth

For them we have cause to say

“Thank you dear Lord

May we, their footsteps take in word, deed and life

That all may see us and say

“In truth, in deed, their word is true”

ONCE A PROPHECY

“Beware… Oh peoples… Of peoples…

Africa and those concerned

Things faster than dogs…

Carts bigger than houses

Are coming in great numbers

In dislodgement of your strongholds

Treacherous evacuation of your wealth

Confusion compounds compassion

As both vultures and eagles descend.”

This land once tilled for food

Is new tarred for trucks

Our gold, trees, milk and honey

Bow to excavation and deforestation

By vermin and vampires of invasion

Exploitation drowns our generation

And away flies our heritage.

In all, this prophecy once was.

THE WORLD

The world is not the globe

That the Sun from one point

Sheds its rays on

Nor is it the people

That others stand to point at

And say “people of the world!”

It is you and I and all

That is around us.

The world is best seen

By those who dwell in it

They not only see but also feel it

Eat it, drink it, dance it,

Sing it and live it

That when they leave it

They can better tell the difference

Between the world and heaven

Hell the mean will find its level.

Together we make the world

Together we marry the world.