Ogunbanwo Oluseyi
Social Worker, Teacher, Poet and Essayist.
Member Since: 4 months ago
Bend or Break, Bow or Burn
He that bends attracts humility When he suspends his nobility Not that he's forgotten his ability Rather he simply affirms his gentility See those trees whose height defies the storm Will soon break for ignoring the norm For in the law of humility and for your sake It is better to bend than break Your knees should not be stiff to bend Before Him whose word made the earth For even in every word He sends He detests the proud with all His breath 'Do I bend or break it?' asks the fishmo...
Bend or Break, Bow or Burn
He that bends attracts humility When he suspends his nobility Not that he's forgotten his ability Rather he simply affirms his gentility See those trees whose height defies the storm Will soon break for ignoring the norm For in the law of humility and for your sake It is better to bend than break Your knees should not be stiff to bend Before Him whose word made the earth For even in every word He sends He detests the proud with all His breath 'Do I bend or break it?' asks the fishmo...
There's still a second chance
*There's still a second chance* A second chance there is His prerogative it is His compassion displayed His forgiveness arrayed Ate the outlawed food with the gifted rib Courted His wrath and became an outcast Banished from the home that gives all The seed of the woman ensured a second chance Known for his tendency even from the womb Got his brother's share before their father went to the tomb Lived with the conscience of fear without reprieve for decades A second chance obtained ...
There's still a second chance
A second chance there is His prerogative it is His compassion displayed His forgiveness arrayed Ate the outlawed food with the gifted rib Courted His wrath and became an outcast Banished from the home that gives all The seed of the woman ensured a second chance Known for his tendency even from the womb Got his brother's share before their father went to the tomb Lived with the conscience of fear without reprieve for decades A second chance obtained after the gruelling match with an a...
Stagnant River
What dost I have to do with thee, thou stagnant River? What merits dost thou prescribe? What resources dost thou preserve What creature benefits from your state? For your source thou has forgotten Your inlets thou have blocked Your refreshing aura has disappeared Your tributaries are dead A scourge you are to the thirsty A snarl to the dirty A curse to the sojourner from another country A shame to the Indigenous men of craft Where is your refreshing power of yore? Where your water ...
Stagnant River
What dost I have to do with thee, thou stagnant River? What merits dost thou prescribe? What resources dost thou preserve? What creature benefits from your state? For your source thou has forgotten Your inlets thou have blocked Your refreshing aura has disappeared Your tributaries are dead A scourge you are to the thirsty A snarl to the dirty A curse to the sojourner from another country A shame to the Indigenous men of craft Where is your refreshing power of yore? Where your water...
Against my Will
Listen thou wall let me speak, hear Difficult it is to say what I speak here Like the river overflowing its banks My heart is filled and so full that I sank Cover me from the omniscient caregiver Who wears the garb of a telepathic driver Protect me from the contumacious ancestors Who see every idea of mine as figments of detractors For my heart is taken away from me Now a board game where every finger thrives My mind at the service of the powers that be It's the mechanical engine t...
Against my will
Listen thou wall let me speak, hear Difficult it is to say what I speak here Like the river overflowing its banks My heart is filled and so full that I sank Cover me from the omniscient caregiver Who wears the garb of a telepathic driver Protect me from the contumacious ancestors Who see every idea of mine as figments of detractors For my heart is taken away from me Now a board game where every finger thrives My mind at the service of the powers that be It's the mechanical engine t...
Against my will
Listen thou wall let me speak, hear Difficult it is to say what I speak here Like the river overflowing its banks My heart is filled and so full that I sank Cover me from the omniscient caregiver Who wears the garb of a telepathic driver Protect me from the contumacious ancestors Who see every idea of mine as figments of detractors For my heart is taken away from me Now a board game where every finger thrives My mind at the service of the powers that be It's the mechanical engine t...
My March through the Months
Was told to take care of the Laundry in January I felt it wasn't my place and became angry But after a pep talk and a summary I decided to obey all and Sundry My mother got concerned with my age in February She felt I was old enough to settle down and marry But when I told her how much her family demanded for dowry She shouted 'I don't think her father paid one-tenth of that in cowries!' I had a heart-to-heart talk with the Landlord in March Ten thousand naira is too much for disposal o...
My March through the Months
Was told to take care of the Laundry in January I felt it wasn't my place and became angry But after a pep talk and a summary I decided to obey all and Sundry My mother got concerned with my age in February She felt I was old enough to settle down and marry But when I told her how much her family demanded for dowry She shouted 'I don't think her father paid one-tenth of that in cowries!' I had a heart-to-heart talk with the Landlord in March Ten thousand naira is too much for disposal ...
MOTHER
*Mother* Mother, what does it mean to be carried in your womb for several months? What pain did your body endure? What distress overcame your pleasure? What challenges trailed your paths? Is any food so sweet, now puking yet inviting? Any position of rest so desirous yet distressing? Is any ideal attire, customary, now unfitting? Are there places of interest, habitual, now forbidden? For the period of pregnancy is a period of pain and pressure A time to prepare for the arrival of a ...
MOTHER
*Mother* Mother, what does it mean to be carried in your womb for several months? What pain did your body endure? What distress overcame your pleasure? What challenges trailed your paths? Is any food so sweet, now puking yet inviting? Any position of rest so desirous yet distressing? Is any ideal attire, customary, now unfitting? Are there places of interest, habitual, now forbidden? For the period of pregnancy is a period of pain and pressure A time to prepare for the arrival of a ...
MOTHER
*Mother* Mother, what does it mean to be carried in your womb for several months? What pain did your body endure? What distress overcame your pleasure? What challenges trailed your paths? Is any food so sweet, now puking yet inviting? Any position of rest so desirous yet distressing? Is any ideal attire, customary, now unfitting? Are there places of interest, habitual, now forbidden? For the period of pregnancy is a period of pain and pressure A time to prepare for the arrival of a ...
Wisdom From The Words of Our Elders
'Kìí se gbogbo Aso l'àásá s'órùn' Literally translated _' It's not all cloths we spread in the sun'._ ' _'Orun',_ the Sun, is so important to human lives that we cannot over emphasize its usefulness. One of the most important use of the Sun energy is the drying of wet utensils, especially our washed clothes. However, the Yorubas, in their sagacity, believe that it not all clothes that are spread in the sun. Figuratively, the Proverbs means it is not all matters that are b...
Wisdom From The Words of Our Elders
'Ki se gbogbo Aso l'aasa s'orun' Literally translated _' It's not all cloths we spread in the sun'._ ' _'Orun',_ the Sun, is so important to human lives that we cannot over emphasize its usefulness. One of the most important use of the Sun energy is the drying of wet utensils, especially our washed clothes. However, the Yorubas, in their sagacity, believe that it not all clothes that are spread in the sun. Figuratively, the Proverbs means it is not all matters that are brought ...
FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART
From the bottom of my Heart *From the bottom of my heart* Ahuoiza, No doubt you were created after God rested from his work. How could you possess all that a man wants in a woman in abundance? Your appearance reminds me of an angelic being with adorable radiance Whose elegance adorns the atmosphere of a palace with an endearing fragrance Your long black hair, like 'kóró oshìn', is a testament to your beauty Your beautiful white eyes are pieces of gemstone encircled in bright diam...
From the bottom of my Heart
#poetry*From the bottom of my heart* Ahuoiza, No doubt you were created after God rested from his work. How could you possess all that a man wants in a woman in abundance? Your appearance reminds me of an angelic being with adorable radiance Whose elegance adorns the atmosphere of a palace with an endearing fragrance Your long black hair, like 'kóró oshìn', is a testament to your beauty Your beautiful white eyes are pieces of gemstone encircled in bright diamonds Your small nose ...
Aisha!
Aisha! I refuse to believe that I am ripe for his need, My physique and mind are too fragile for his seed, I detest the bandwagon of this odious tradition, I share not the culture of an ominous tribulation I reject the belief held by your religious creed To our consummation, I refuse to concede My plant is unripe and unsavoury to his taste This questionable tradition I view with distaste I am Aisha the defiant, positive deviant Check me out and you'll find that I'm a teen My voice will s...
The Pastor's Son (1)
The Pastor's Son. (1) 'Dad, guess what? I have been appointed the substantive Pastor of our Parish' 'That's wonderful, I'm happy to hear that. I pray that Lord God will grant you the victory'. By the way what happened to the former Pastor?' "He was promoted and transferred to the regional headquarters'. 'Congratulations son. I can see that you are happy' 'Sure Dad, I can't wait to take over. I'm just elated. I need your prayers and support'. 'You don't need to worry about that. You'...
The Pastor's Son (1)
The Pastor's Son. (1) 'Dad, guess what? I have been appointed the substantive Pastor of our Parish' 'That's wonderful, I'm happy to hear that. I pray that Lord God will grant you the victory'. By the way what happened to the former Pastor?' "He was promoted and transferred to the regional headquarters'. 'Congratulations son. I can see that you are happy' 'Sure Dad, I can't wait to take over. I'm just elated. I need your prayers and support'. 'You don't need to worry about that. You'...
Wisdom from the Words of our Elders
*Wisdom from the words of our Elders* *'Ìwà rere l'èsó Ènìyàn'* . Literally translated ' Good character is the adornment of man'. The Yorubas, of Western Nigeria, use character to define a person, whatever his standing. A man of good character is held in high esteem. And to them, whatever a person claims to be, however skilful at work he is, if he lacks character, his profession or skill is vain. 'Iwa l'ewa'. 'Character determines beauty'. It is as much as to say one's beaut...
Wisdom from the Words of our Elders
Wisdom from the words of our Elders 'Ìwà rere l'èsó Ènìyàn' . Literally translated ' Good character is the adornment of man'. The Yorubas, of Western Nigeria, use character to define a person, whatever his standing. A man of good character is held in high esteem. And to them, whatever a person claims to be, however skilful at work he is, if he lacks character, his profession or skill is vain. 'Iwa l'ewa'. 'Character determines beauty'. It is as much as to say one's beauty is s...
Karma is a Witch
He woke up with a start, sweating. His heart was beating like the noise of a malfunctioning engine. A dream or a hypnosis, could it have been his ghost? Could it have been his imagination, the sound, or is it his host? He sprang up from the bed. Again, the sound was familiar, disturbing. Sure, it's the strange being again, this time troubling. Something glided past the window; it looked real. Could it be him, or were they up to a dozen? A cold sweat ran down his spine, as he stood frozen ...
Karma is a Witch
*Karma is a Witch* He woke up with a start, sweating. His heart was beating like the noise of a malfunctioning engine. A dream or a hypnosis, could it have been his ghost? Could it have been his imagination, the sound, or is it his host? He sprang up from the bed. Again, the sound was familiar, disturbing. Sure, it's the strange being again, this time troubling. Something glided past the window; it looked real. Could it be him, or were they up to a dozen? A cold sweat ran down his spine, as...
I'm on the other side
Sorry Shylocks, You are a bit late I can't meet up with your date I'm on the other side Hovering above the hillside Pound my flesh and take your pounds Enlarge my cold, naked, fresh wounds, Extract your penny from my blood, Let it flow like a flood Chop off my limbs and make up your debts But know that the spirit watches with a devastating strain Free but bruised by an earthly stain Conscious of acts attracting divine frown Waiting for the time your fruit is fully grown Poised ...
Come back Home
*Come back Home* Come back home o wandering daughter Come to the embrace of your waiting father Come to the opened arms of your loving mother The home where you had joy without vendetta The world outside is cold and spiting Full of wolves ravening and serpents biting Filled with desperate folks who look inviting But whose hearts are depraved with all manners desecrating He has created you with a painstaking precision Modelled to His image with delicate additions With an appearance that d...
AISHA!
*Aisha!* I refuse to believe that I am ripe for his need, My physique and mind are too fragile for his seed, I detest the bandwagon of this odious tradition, I share not the culture of an ominous tribulation I reject the belief held by your religious creed To our consummation, I refuse to concede My plant is unripe and unsavoury to his taste This questionable tradition I view with distaste I am Aisha the defiant, positive deviant Check me out and you'll find that I'm a teen My voice wil...
Great to be here Folks
Good day Friends Happy to be here. Got a couple of Poems, Essays and Articles to share with you. Hope I'm welcomed.
