Your Wedding Day

To my sister on her wedding day,
No longer are you a miss,
But you'll always be my small sis,
I have no tease to utter in jest,
for i feel dad's guarding eye on you today.

To my new brother on his wedding day,
welcome to our family, one of us you are today,
stewardship of our most precious jewel you have,
protect her, stand firm and always remember,
together you can overcome all in your path.

To the happy couple on their wedding day,
be honest with each other, laugh often,
and never forget how amazing this day is,
the start of your life's true intent!

They say true love shines bright, and today...
...you dazzle us with your light.

The Cold Dark Pit

The warrior grieved for the loss of his life;

for surely the situation appeared to be most dreadful.

In lieu of honour, denied glory and legacy;

his was a need that few would have predicted.

Like the discontents of the past he had silently marched;

onwards in mass toward surely a just resolution.

Strange and unfathomable the cosmos must be;

since patently he finds his wrecked body not on battlefield…

…but crouched in a concrete-frozen old well.

There seems no exit from this hellish nightmare;

calls for help go unanswered into the night.

His thoughts stray to how this came about;

yet memories seem to have abandoned him to his misery.

Perhaps some would give up, he has not the choice;

for in the darkness he can hear his fellows movements.

The never-ending march is underway and he is to be left behind;

do none miss his presence, his stoic bearing, his being?...

…or are they in ecstasy to this event, gleeful in their delight?

His dwelling that night made resolute, the quietude hardened resolve;

unique solitary, within the masses, has brought his clarity of thought about…

…as slowly upwards the lone warrior climbs once more. 

The guiding light

I stand on the promise of a grand future,
Yet I know the foundations still need work.
My house situated on bedrock is firm,
Yet my veranda has stretched into the sand.

The sea, ever menacing sends wave after wave,
Yet I firm up, strap up, I work into the night.
I must not fail, the wall must hold up against the onslaught,
Yet doubt still creeps up, for I am now building onto sand.

I toil and slog to get it all done and never do I let up,
Yet the deadline of high tide creeps closer and closer.
I wonder if the pool - placed on veranda will stand firm,
Yet it is too late now for the aged fellow has come to inspect.

All my time and effort has gone into this project,
Yet I feel the need all around, something is missing.
I know not what and I wrought throughout the night,
Yet I know I still need it, I need a guiding light.

The Bursting of the Channel

That pain I can compare onto no other.

It drags from heaven the angels in mass.

Bark is stripped from mighty oak and willow.

Nothing stands in its way, all are its prey.

It creeps up on you silently, when you least expect it.

Then the wax is cast, the water pressure rising.

It seems that man once strong can cry once more.

It makes one retreat, it makes you hide from the world.

It steals the little things from you the stronger it becomes.

Past echoes will keep you aware of the loss of jingles in the air.

Then the red divide marches past your door and at last…

…The channel burst forth and you are released!!

A favourite moment.

An early morning flash in time.
Makes me feel so sublime.
Out walks my nephew ready for school.

The Shaded Lass

Venturing from her cover of cushions an splendour fills our eyes.
Intensely beautiful she wades throughout her room enticing all to follow…
…in her wake - as she tempts the senses.

To catch her would be impossible, for she is the shaded lass.
All have tried, yet none succeed… she shadows her own shepherd.
Yet more stunning she becomes swelling her hoard of followers.

Envied by her peers none can match the splendour or brilliance.
Her passing like a cloudless night shines bright with starry skies.
Yet as she strides her feat do weave our dreams into silence.
For our eyes become filled with glory as our hearts drown in peace.

TAINTED

Lights move along a dark river of asphalt.
All seems right with the night.
Neither sound, nor whisper can be heard.
Unsuspecting the dread of things yet too come…
…it increases the pace.

The journey has been far under cover of darkness.
The lights sense that the passage is near too end.
With purpose almost achieved it contemplates in delight…
…as twin daggers of brightness reflect back in horror.

There is naught that can be done to stop imminent dismay.
Etched into crystal clarity, a silence rains supreme.
With foul mood the journey continues yet the lights seem…
…lest vivid and more obscured.

Coming to rest on the bank of the river.
The lights contemplate the foulness - the providence of choice.
It had seen the smaller daggers and ponders what to do…
…with painful slowness it turns about.

The lights sickened, regretful and full of doubt come to a stop.
There is a bump in the road that was not there before.
It is unmoving, lifeless and abandoned by kin…
…Tainted, a prayer is whispered.

MY MOTHER (1ST)

Why do I treat you in this way?
I always overlook you, still you care.

Oh, why don't you forsake me?
You treat me like a bird, flying high in the sky.
I treat you like mud, stuck on a shoe!

You keep on giving love, yet all I give is sorrow.

Why do I cause such pain?
Why take trouble, when you could have leisure?

I thought I gave you all I had,
now I know,
I gave you nothing.
No memories kind and sweet and
no caring looks.

Yet you love me, knowing my shame.
Knowing who I have become.

And yet in all my hate and sorrow,
I know I can depend on you!!
My Mother!!

Misplaced

Irresistibly superficial my life thus far has been
Forever in a halo my years seem to loop end on end
Everywhere I turn I face a red brick divide.

Everything I do turns to dust, grime and powder
Lost is my freedom as it breathes one last breath
Sanity I fear is not far behind and what then I ask?

Orphaned from reason my future is misplaced
Life, my life seems ill-equipped to last the passage
Options seem few and far in-between to me!

Slowly the fear swells for I know my future name
Tramp will be my vocation… and I see no way out.

The Rock

Sturdy and frail at the same time…
…cloaked by moss it supports all around it,
…giving sanctuary to the nomad,
…warmth to the destitute,
…it holds upright all that are frail.

Yet, even as strong and brave and pure as it is…
…mere tears can shatter it apart.

Friends Forever

Now isn’t it funny how nothing mattered before we met?
Did you ever think that life was gonna be this way?
And yet I’ve never met someone just like you…
…Funny things seem to just happen around you!

It’s like you’re always stuck in mud and out of luck.
Ruff and tuff and all the gruff whacked you overhead.
Now you're broke… your jobs a joke… and you're all alone.
Earl Grey… the tea lady… near you no one is safe.
So your gonna cry but never fear cause I’ll be near.

I’ll be there when your day starts out cold.
Or when you’re outside in fear and your day ends in tears.
Like I’ve been there before…

…Cause you’re there for me too!

Naralgna

Nowhere can we find a talent such as yours dear lady.
Angelic you are for surely your inner beauty reflects the truth.
Rating your work we found ourselves unworthy of even that honor.
Anything we’d do to break this curse you’ve dished out to us.
Left alone you’ve turned our very world inside out.
Gone are our talents for they cower in fright from yours, yet…
…Nights we still stalk the world for the web you’ve spun so widely.
Alas it’s true… Naralgna, you have seduced us one by one…

Superstar

June you were meant to make your appearance.
Oh how you surprised us April 13th 2001!
Hello small one! Welcome to the world!
Nephew of mine, John David McIntyre.

David of the bible had his Goliath,
And so do you, although I dare say your enemy is bigger.
Victory in the end shall also be yours.
If needed be I shall make this reality.
Death shall take me first before I give up.

Sitting on my lap, I fell in love with you.
Usually not the type to cry, I drenched my clothes this day.
Perhaps you don’t understand,
Everything I do from this day forth is dedicated to you.
Rain, nor snow, the postman, nor kitchen sink shall stop me.
Superstar, of everything you shall have at least one.
Talk is cheap, yet this I declare today.
Always in my heart you shall be; my thoughts won’t stray.
Rocked my world you have; my angel in disguise.

Nephew of mine

Wildfire has no passion compared to this child.
Idle tsunamis seem compared to his cries.
Laughter from him is more contagious than the black plague.
Left-handed, he controls his destiny and mine.
Intoxicated with love for him I can only watch on…
…As he runs coast to coast in his grandma’s kitchen.
My nerves can’t handle more than 5 minutes at a time!

Just to keep up with him is a mission!
Always he’s grabbing something here, something there!
Drat! He’s got that grin again!
Everything is in peril when he puts on that grin!
Nephew of mine, this child seems destined to rule!

Mastering my own grin, I declare on him…
…Child, don’t you dare!
…I’ll rat you out to grandma!
Never intending to do anything of the sort I glare down at him.
Totally oblivious to my glare he grabs hold of grandma’s curtains.
Yanking left – yanking right he starts to laugh!
Roaring with frustration I scream into the night – I give up!
Enough is enough! Child have some mercy on me!

Old Woman Apparently

Sometimes one wonders how she came into this world…
Having found out the reason I’ll explain…
At quarter to midnight on the first of January she signed up…
Zealot of the forum she became…

Interestingly apparently this one has…
Seven Deadly Sins.

Awards she received for her Pied Piper Of Hell…

Old she thought of herself yet…
Lady of Diplomacy we think of her…
Damn the Raconteur she's probably now thinking…

Why she’s even a Stevie Wonder fan!
One Day…
My mouth wants to speak…
And say…
Now “What is in Shaz’s head today”?

A very long time she’s had to wait…
Perhaps an explanation is due…
Poetry in this form is easy enough to do…
Automatic it comes to some…
Reading this over I find that the forest I destroyed…
Even after re-writing this poem over and over…
Never will be missed, since I’ve finished…
The Poem I so…
Lovingly dedicate in …
Your Honour… To Shaz!

Nice Work Virgin

Nice Work… Nice Work… Nice Work…
Indescribable Virgin’s poetic talent is…
Constantly giving us your views
Especially nice work nice work nice work...

Wacky and funny… we all luv you,
Okechukwu we smile for the Sammy in all of us.
Rarely do we dread your coming…
Knowing you only mean well…

Very far your e-travel brings you to us.
In Lagos if we seek we shall find…
Regular like clockwork the one called Virgin…
Gently we call out to you…
Enlisting your help in our endeavours…
Nigeria send us your thoughts!

Shroof

Dandelions I see in my thoughts when I think of you
Rarely has one such as you consumed my thoughts
Editing ‘as I leave you’ was a joy
Amongst others I felt I could ‘learn’ to ‘fly’
Maybe I am biased but ‘In my minds eye’ I ‘submit’ to ‘innocence_’
Something you ‘voice’d reminds me of ‘looking back’

Often ‘it’ seems like you are ‘cheating destiny’
For your poems encapsulate all I wish to be.

Sometimes ‘Dancing’ sometimes not.
Having followed your words for a while I
Read some ‘to a childhood friend’ who thought it great.
Offering so much by saying so little you invoke our imagination..
Only when we read it all do we glimpse your future.
Forever shall we wait for more…

Of whom do i speak

Quirky and delicious I find this one.
Understanding takes time…
Reading your work is a pleasure, even if at times it takes its toll.
Always be assured of greatness.
Zealots will follow you around.

Inspiration you give too us.
Simplicity our work when compared to yours.

Ask one ask all who knows who you are.
Never has the answer been clearer.
During our time we’ve learned to see,
Reality through your eyes.
Everything should be clear yet still they ask.
Who is this person I praise so much?

Greatness enslaved us to you.
Only the first of us will reveal.
Verify the truth for us.
Expert poet do you know of whom I speak?

Tippie

a Random fellow oh Tippie he is,
all white supposed to be…
…yet everlastingly a earthly tint he’s been.
Never a bird did he trust,
careless he thought the scarecrow,
to let so many go wandering free…
…so on him he took the lead.

From far and wide he came to be,
this random fellow Tippie…
Smarter than can be,
molested he distrusts all that he can see,
until the time of sweet remembrance…
…of our faithful pact.

On you, you random devil, I decree.
“love & affection from me you’ll see”.
So don’t be naughty, don’t be sad,
Together forever we’ll both be glad.
So come here, don’t be shy…
…you random fellow Tippie…

Eckish Proportions

How too comment after Eck... it's a pain!
No comment can be refrained...
...when Eck's been here again!

How too comment i ask myself,
to come up with a statement of...
...Eckish Proportions!

How critical, how perceptive,
alas i am mere mortal...

How too comment how to comment...
i know!! i'll comment no more...
...my rating is all i'll say
...for to comment after Eck,
is not to comment at all...