by KREATIVE DIADEM | Dec 22, 2016 | POEMS
My Nigerien Friend and his Stubborn Smile
So because you're not glued by blood
mere haemo-bond,
you shrug at the news at 8.
You say there are no worried wrinkles
on the forehead of the cute newscaster
who brings bloody news
from Potiksum, only in a jiffy;
about dying babies in overcrowded IDP camps.
But would you blame her,
Her tear gland is a dry well.
The corporate duress screams
"Shed no tears, show no emotion!"
They say Oprah Winfrey
divorced her own fetters on the desk
of the same corporate duress.
But I say “shed no tears
to know the pains of these orphans-
tenants under dirty bridges.
You must first enter the parlour of their grief,
and burn in the kitchen of their memories.
You'd see, the only fire there
is that of loved ones
burning with bombs.”
Don't be fooled
by their clipped mouths,
for when anguish is excessive,
It castrates your tongue.
We're one big family
separated only by our indifference.
I once stumbled on a new relative:
A Nigerien lass, tugged at me
Her hair curly and shampooed
by extreme sunlight,
her bony finger tore my new Designer shirt;
at first, I was enraged,
but then, that ugly hole led to a map
that led me to a Kingdom of families.
A raconteur told me
“no child is fatherless.
Are there not too many men
to go round?
But love is enough
to check against the kerfuffle in Chibok,
and the searing screams in broken homes.”
…
“You do not mend dying homes with bricks
but another bit of love.”
He said.
Home is not only where you go at nights;
it is also the stubborn smile
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Agbaakin O. Jeremiah, an aspiring poet and campus Editor reads law in University of Ibadan.
His works have graced several anthologies including Briggite Poirson Anthology and are forthcoming onThe Niyi Osundare @70 Anthology, Irawo Anthology, etc.
His other publications feature (and forthcoming) on Liquid Imagination, Antarctica Journal, Wagon Magazine, Sentinel Literary Quarterly, Kalahari Review, Praxis Magazine, African Writer, Sub-Saharan Magazine, Pulse Nigeria and elsewhere.
He was a shortlisted for 2016 Dwarts Poetry Prize. He also won the maiden edition of Ogidigbo Poetry Contest, University of Ibadan; and was also a six-time finalist of 2016 Brigitte Poirson Poetry Contest.
by KREATIVE DIADEM | Oct 1, 2015 | NIGERIAN POEMS, POEMS
WHERE IS NIGERIA?
The giant of the black continent,
locked up in the den of dwarfs,
looking haggard with overgrown hair,
she must be very old,
for her head is a fountain of grey leaves,
and these wrinkles come only with old age,
The king of the jungle
with a roar that begins the songs of mockery,
these claws are sharp,
they must have torn apart
the skins of preys during war
and this bushy mane is not for a cub,
Happy Independence Day to Nigeria!
Source: www.shuttershock.com
The Super Eagle of the skies
with wings clipped like an emu
and can barely fly
when expected to soar,
the span of these wings are wide
and these sunken eyes is only for a Mother Eagle
The land of milk and honey
where dairy owners starve to death
and landlords are milked by tenants,
until the lips of their pockets got glued
and could no longer swallow a drop of honey
produced by swarms of bees in their own hives.
There was a Nigeria,
known as a nation of enviable jewels
where all birds wanted to build their nests
and all beasts wanted to graze her pasture,
where peace and justice were citizens
and not sons lost in exile
dining with only those who live in foreign lands.
P.S.: This is for a sober reflection as the most populous black nation in the world, Nigeria celebrates 55 years of Independence.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Osho Samuel Adetunji is a graduate of Mechanical Engineering from Nigeria’s premier University, University of Ibadan. He is a budding poet, a blogger, a Public Speaker, an on air personality with a knack for short stories, inspirational articles and poems. He is a great thinker, creative and dexterous young man who does not only believe in excellence but also extols the tenets of discipline, hard work and effectiveness.
by KREATIVE DIADEM | May 29, 2015 | POEMS
I WANT CHANGE
Holders clasp light like a prisoner!
Darkness stares me in the face,
With a choir of generators groaning,
I want change!
Thieves coronated as Chiefs,
With pockets heavy with greed,
Rode men like horses!
I want change!
Our crude made us rude brothers!
Slaying compatriots with scarcity!
Yet it is our Black Gold!
I want change!
Eyes of education gorged out!
Graduates in a dance of shame!
Like men blindfolded by ignorance!
I want change!
The fragrance of job is strange!
Chased by able-bodied men,
Only few lay hold of it!
I want change!
Is this the CHANGE you want?
Walls of our haven crumble,
Chants of extremists befuddle our ears,
Until our daughters were stolen!
I want change!
The river of peace licked by hatred!
Thirsty men pound their fists
Until their fits see drops of blood,
I want change!
Mosquitoes steal wings of Eagles,
Cruising the skies with pride,
While the owners perish in potholes!
I want change!
Natives camp like fugitives!
Scattered pieces of peace
Litter the mountains and valleys!
I want change!
Men on the hills,
Spit parcels of phlegm,
As dividends of democracy!
I want change!
Riches of the wealthy is out of reach,
Poverty pampers the pauper,
Until he snores in the snows of suffering!
I want change!
Thumbs laced with portions of power,
Submitted at the pool of polls!
Birthed drunkards in the Public square!
I want a change!
Who knows the abode of change?
Searched the valleys and hilltops!
Is it not within you and I?
I want a change!
Deep in the sockets of your eyes,
I see the scripts of change!
Live it out like a change!
For this is change – YOU!
© 2015 by Osho Samuel Adetunji
P.S.: Dedicated to millions who clamoured for change in Nigeria. Today, May 29, 2015, the reins of democracy changed hands peacefully. Congratulations!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Osho Samuel Adetunji is a graduate of Mechanical Engineering from Nigeria’s premier University, University of Ibadan. He is a poet, a blogger, a Public Speaker, an on air personality with a knack for short stories, inspirational articles and poems.
He co-founded THE COURTROOM in 2012. He is the founder of KREATIVE DIADEM, a new initiative which kicked off on March 1, 2015.He is an inspirational young man who is addicted to going an extra mile in all facets of life. He is also a lover of football, tennis and boxing. You can follow him on Twitter with the handle: @inisamosho.
by KREATIVE DIADEM | May 13, 2015 | SHORT STORIES
THE KISS
Sunday, May 10, 2015
Dubai, 12:00pm
A newly wedded Nigerian couple after the wild celebrations of their wedding ceremony, travelled down to the United Arab Emirates for their honeymoon. From the onset, their plan was to visit Paris; take snapshots with the Eiffel Tower and behold the beauty of the French capital but they could not get a French visa.
Loads of mirth were generated by the awesome scenery which greeted them at the entrance of Downtown Dubai. It did not only trigger their romantic love but brought back the ecstasy of the wedding ceremony. On arrival at the four star hotel on Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard which was a stone throw away from Burj Khalifa, the wife screamed for joy on spotting a swimming pool to the left side of the gate. She has a knack for swimming but being a medical doctor did not provide her the luxury of time. She was a passionate amateur swimmer and her husband is not doing bad either.
The couple
On entering the bedroom, she rushed into the bathroom and changed into her swimming trunks covered with a white pyjamas ready to have a feel of the pool. She waved her husband goodbye and told him to join her downstairs. Her husband tried to talk her into resting but she insisted on relaxing with the swimming. The young handsome man tried to pull off his shoes but rather fell into a deep sleep as his back touched the neatly laid bed.
Dubai, 3:00pm
A wild tap on the door jolted him from his sleep, he staggered so he tried to gain balance and understand his new environment. He opened the door and it was one of the hotel attendants, the lady asked him if he was the husband of Mrs. Rose Williams. He nodded his head forward with fright in his eyeballs as he inquired of what happened to her. He sprinted rapidly with the attendant.
In a hospital on the other side of the road to the entrance of the hotel, Rose was in a deep coma with her head plastered and an oxygen respirator fixed to her nose. She was inundated with joy that she forgot to check the depths of the steep swimming pool. She plunged into the pool in its shallow end and smashed her head on concrete. Amidst heavy panting and sighs of deep breath, the voice of her husband filled the room, “Rose!!!”. He stood at the bedside and deeply kissed her mouth and her eyes popped open.
P. S.: There is a point in life when ovation is at its loudest and victorious celebration is at its peak. Euphoria swings in with its full energy leading to a wild jubilation. Euphoria has the potential to intoxicate if not cautioned, which affirms that too much of everything is inappropriate.
© 2015 by OSHO Samuel Adetunji
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Osho Samuel Adetunji is a graduate of Mechanical Engineering from Nigeria’s premier University, University of Ibadan. He is a poet, a blogger, a Public Speaker, an on air personality with a knack for short stories, inspirational articles and poems.
He co-founded THE COURTROOM in 2012. He is the founder of KREATIVE DIADEM, a new initiative which kicked off on March 1, 2015.He is an inspirational young man who is addicted to going an extra mile in all facets of life. He is also a lover of football, tennis and boxing. You can follow him on Twitter with the handle: @inisamosho.
by KREATIVE DIADEM | Apr 24, 2015 | SHORT STORIES
PARENTHOOD: A CALL TO RESPONSIBILITY
In the heart of Miami, the heavens wept all night and the cold atmosphere with its chill was enough to send anyone back to bed. For Smith, it was another day to go to school. He loathed Mr. Nelson’s Mathematics class and whenever Miss Kathryn enters the class he wished the heavens would fall and bring the class to an abrupt end. Biology and Mathematics classes were just so boring and uninspiring to Smith.
Smith Harrison, a young handsome precocious boy of thirteen years old was considered a geek and bookworm by many of his friends due to his brilliance and his pair of white-rimmed medicated glasses. He was from one of the most influential families in Florida. Smith was a fragile kid for his age who got the attention of his teachers through his intelligence and wits when it comes to Public Speaking. He was however bullied by many of his mates and seniors because of the jealousy and hatred they have against him.
They would sometimes steal his notes, strip him of his money and valuables. Amidst all these persecutions meted out against him, he would never retaliate neither did he say a word against his oppressors. He was such a gentle boy who never had the penchant for complaints or excuses for failure. His quiescent nature and gentle mien began to unsettle his bullies but they could not stop because they enjoyed what they were doing. At the end of every session, he established himself as an enviable Jewel during the Prize-giving ceremonies as he won awards like a hunter scooping honey after stumbling on a bee hive.
The joy of family
A different boy emanates from the personality of Smith at home, he was specially loved by his parents because he was the first born of the family. He was however a source of serious concern for his parents as he always behaved unruly at home and vented his anger on his siblings at any slightest chance. He would sometimes flog Janet and slap Jack times without number. He gave the family an impression that all was not well with him. His busy father and his industrious mother were always occupied with one official assignment or the other and the best way they understood love was to send their children to good schools, get good clothes for them and give them money when the need arises. Confusion exists in decoding how heartless and wicked Smith who causes chaos in the family of the Harrisons comes back home with brilliant grades at the end of the session. Loved by teachers in school but a source of hate at home. Such contrasting characters baffles the mind.
On this fateful day, Dr. Harry Harrison decided to find out what happens in the High School whenever Smith was away from home. At around closing time, Harry dressed in his three-piece suit alighted majestically from his tinted Black Cadillac, his steps were like that of a Prince who was about to wed the most beautiful lady in town. To his utmost surprise, he spotted his son at a corner beside the school laboratory being maltreated and beaten by bullies. He removed his dark shades and rushed towards the scene. Panting and sprinting like an Olympic sprinter, he rescued his son from Stanley and Joe. He handed the bullies over to the principal. He was however overwhelmed with tears as he realized how much he has neglected his son.
Harry begged for forgiveness and promised to be a concerned father who would give more attention and care to his children. He made it a personal responsibility and not that of the drivers to check on his children in school; pick them up from school and also give them surprise visits.
Smith soon became that good boy both in school and at home. He was envied by many for his intelligence and comportment which was rare for children of his age.
THE END
P.S.: “Parents wonder why the streams are bitter, when they themselves have poisoned the fountain.” – English philosopher, John Locke
A call to parenthood is a call to responsibility and most notably be toyed with if the next generation is expected to boom with greatness.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Osho Samuel Adetunji is a graduate of Mechanical Engineering from Nigeria’s premier University, University of Ibadan. He is a poet, a blogger, a Public Speaker, an on air personality with a knack for short stories, inspirational articles and poems.
He co-founded THE COURTROOM in 2012. He is the founder of KREATIVE DIADEM, a new initiative which kicked off on March 1, 2015.He is an inspirational young man who is addicted to going an extra mile in all facets of life. He is also a lover of football, tennis and boxing. You can follow him on Twitter with the handle: @inisamosho.
Coming up on May 1 in University of Ibadan
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