Close to Nature

 

The sun shines through a mist,

a golden ball through the fresh dew

when men in the sunset

in worlds of marble and steel

prepare to sleep.

 

On warm bamboo beds we lie

awaken with the fresh morning

and learn to balance earthenware

vessels on our trained heads

as we head to streams

where naked children bathe and play.

 

In tranquility and calm, we hurry not

looking up at the elements

to tell the time of day,

while men beyond speed away at jet

speed to meet loads of duties.

 

Close to nature, our minds

remain impressionable, like the soft

sandy earth around our round huts;

engraved on them are footprints

of the  child and the lamb

and the little carefree chicks.

 

We learn from nature

and grow at the steady and sure pace

of the stately iroko tree

and watch our dark reflections

on pristine springs of rocky coolness.

 

 

 

Solace

 

The sky hangs heavy with dark clouds

As strong winds blow on rooftops

Twisting trees and throwing dust…

The women…children run for shelter

Some cursing under their breath

At this impudent interference of nature

For it often means lean bellies…

 

The sky was white and with ease

Vivid lines ran across from end to end

As elixirs to soothe a laden heart

The emotions of clouds build up

And the sky grows darker and darker

Men scurry as hens to find light

To stay in the dark and unburden

The weary heart that yearns for solace

 

Then the downpour descends as smoke

Ascends, luminous flame to illuminate

A dark world of wailing hearts…

And the drumming builds in intensity

And drowns the sound of the world

The lines run faster across, defying the

Unrhythmic drumming and pounding

And the straining of alert watchmen

 

Soon, over, and stiff joints creak

Figures straighten to gaze at a clearer

Sky no longer pent-up but bright as day

The day before the groaning and longing

Heavy with cloud-birth and foreboding

And the brightness snuffs out the flame

The curly strings of beads rise in defiance

To descend no more on a world

Of whites and lines and running streams

Of released pent-up burdens of emotions

 

And though time we have lost

And the holes in our purse,

Our souls are brighter and taller

We will flow with the little streams

Avoiding the puddles that pollute

Our sky-white garments of peace

Defying the faces that stare, perplexed

And the barrage of words unspoken

For now we have found solace

For our pent-up hearts laden with emotions.

 

 

 

Comfort Us

 

How man, noble, achieves this feat

Stays elusive: the mystery

Of finding solace in times of sorrow.

Left alone, in a barren house

Bereft of laughter, the air

Hangs heavy over mourning shoulders

In the throes of ambivalence.

 

Everything looks drab and dull

But the memories are fresh

And would linger for a long time to come.

We hear the distant drumming

And at that moment realize

Life would never the same be.

 

Bereaved, we cast mournful faces

Heavenward with sullen, imploring eyes

And ask the Divine One: WHY?

And the grief freely flows

As anxiety mounts over an uncertain future

And the lumps in our throats grow,

Our whys and worries, they grow

And become a mountain in our hearts.

But from within the doleful gloom

Little warm rays of comfort emanate

And warm our hearts, and soothe our souls

 

In our wailings we hear Divine:

Look within yonder pebbles of adversity

And find ye a pearl of comfort.

And we listen and search and find comfort

In the midst of our sorrows untold

And that gladdens our hearts

And makes the difference

And we move on…

 

Indeed, how men achieve this feat

Stands tall and stuns our souls.

Here the river, our tears, flows past

These walls and descend down the drift

And we hang our heads upon our palms

And wait. The air is heavy, not rosy

But the showers shall soon descend

For we await the New Day of blossoms.

It shall dawn and comfort we shall find:

A little comfort that grows in our home

Shall yet stand tall to soothe our souls.

Yes, comfort we have found

And solace, in the midst of loss.