In My Country...! E-Book

Oladele Madamidola

• Herausgeber: BookRix
• Kategorie: Poesie und Drama
• Sprache: Englisch

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2017

Beschreibung

This collection of poems echoes the voices of the Nigerian masses as the poet unearths the stark socio-political realities of the Nigerian state. Common of songs of the marketplace, the poet's voice becomes one that speaks for all. Even in the midst of the struggles for survival in his country, some of the lines on the pages of this collection exude love - the trials and triumphs of lovers. This collection is an affirmation that poetry speaks a universal language...

Leseprobe

Oladele Madamidola

In My Country...!

...Redefining Poetry

BookRix GmbH & Co. KG81371 Munich

Dreaming the Night before…

… Of that beggar in my street

Who barely could stand on his feet –

… Of the blind, the deaf, and the lame

I dreamt my voice could bring them fame

Dreaming the night before …

Some issues brought to the fore –

Words were sounding in my belly

They are now swimming like a jelly

Ink may flow like running tears

To end my people’s unwanted fears

I might scream or shout aloud

It is that all may be allowed

Like that hawker at market place

I sell poetry to human race

I go to court and win cases

For masses to rise and go places

Poetry is and poetry isn’t

Like Niyi’s voice nor Wole’s face

Poetry is and poetry isn’t

Like a honey or kolanut:

Poetry isn’t empty voices,

Full of words, low or lofty;

Poetry is You/Me on a journey

It isn’t a mine that produces money

The rain would soon begin to pour

I wouldn’t call it peace or war

Where Poetry rules we bend the rules

That all like one may have a course

This journey of mine begins at “Dawn”

Running through the earth at “Noon”

Before the “Twilight” fades the rays

I would gladly say “Goodnight …!”

Hearts at DAWN…!

Like MOCKINGBIRDS …

Like two little unconscious birds

You took the lead and told me, “Fly”

Now I know it was a dream -

Flying with you when I should cry.

Like mockingbirds we sang our songs

Mimicking life the best we could

I never knew a time would come

That you and I will rove no more.

I was a bird who couldn’t fly

Before you came and told me ‘Try’

Now a proper mockingbird

You aren’t here to have me heard.

If I had known you won’t be mine

I would have learnt to fly alone;

Like mockingbirds we shrilled and thrilled

I never thought they’ll have Us killed.

When I called that we may sing

I never knew you’ve had a king;

An end it is – we rove no more

I wish he knew you aren’t a whore.

I wonder why you stopped to sing

Forgetting all the joys you bring

If you would fly and sing no more

Like mockingbirds I still will soar.

Goodbye my fellow mockingbird

It’s been a pleasure knowing you;

Perhaps you choose to sing again

I would be here like days of old.

THESE ARE THE WORDS

Used on occasions never befitting

Wasted on things ever misleading

These words are golden -

More precious than your garden.

They are the words that truly aid

The words for which my mother paid

These words are blazing -

They sound amazing.

I’ve never known more glorious words

Used by all and even lords

I never thought that hearts could heal

The touch of nature man could feel

Until my heart these words did heal

And my skin nature could feel.

These golden words humans abuse

Used at will just to amuse

Those were the words that brought the muse

And poets of old put them to use.

Many have died of joy that kills

While some live on crazy pills

We live in pains but think them gains

I am ashamed of human brains.

What would it cost to say these words?

Free to slaves and even lords

When we say a thousand words

All are vain, they cut like swords.