MY  KINGDOM
My face is covered with blood mixed with dirt.
The man who loves will give without restraint.
Look at my face. You'll know what l go through
for all the people on the earth and you.

My love is endless. It began with tears
for those who suffer, with hearts full of fears.
I cured their children and restored their smile.
They can't bear it, a world so full of bile.

I share you all your pain. Look at my wounds.
I don't feel them, but hear your screaming sounds
that ask me to relieve your hearts' distress.
I know how much your acts need to redress.

I came not for a kingdom on this earth.
I have no swords, no men for mundane worth.
I came to build a kingdom in your heart
that conquers your flesh weakness and its plight.
BY JOSEPH ZENIEH
____________

LUCK OR BEAUTY ?
She was so ugly, with a forlorn look;
she looked at her reflection with a shock.
She accused her vile mirror of deceit.
Then she believed it and lost all self trust.

She went to see a sorceress whose fame
had filled the region where she used to live.
She prescribed her a herb that grew so far.
She went to have that plant to please her heart.

The way was rough, and she came to a land.
Their queen had died and they would give the throne
to that lass who would pass their bereft state,
and had an ugly face like their late queen.

She sat on her new throne and thanked her luck
that gave her such a look to be a queen.
If she'd been charming like her neighbours' girl,
She'd have had such a spouse so rough and mean.
BY JOSEPH ZENIEH
____________

THE HOME PARADISE
A woman, dear to me, l knew for long.
She was so kind to all the old and young.
She loved Eve's kids, a Saint Teresa's role.
Her love was gold. She gave it to the world.

Her husband was alike, Saint Joseph's care.
He could not see a face dressed in the blues.
His gifts could submerge all with floods of glee
as they were lavish, and he knew man's soul.

Their house was full of friends from all the world.
They loved the two whose honey was so sweet
and filled the hive they called their cosy home,
Utopia on the earth, and Eden park.

They quit the earth to live on that high ground,
but left the house that wept the bees of gold.
The honey got so scarce, the scourge of time,
and calling guests would seek where they had gone.
BY JOSEPH ZENIEH
____________

LOVE AND THE ENDLESS SOUL
Thoughts and feelings, you show man the way to life
as you make the mundane eyes see through the soul.
Man comes here not to consume his time and die,
but to live the endless love that Jesus lives.

Love is what the greatest Lord forever lives,
and shows it through His forgiveness on the cross.
He loves people and His love augments each day,
and will stay for endless life mixed with His soul.

Love's not made of flesh and blood that die and drain,
but of spirit that exists to live and stay.
It will fly on varied fields of nectar juice
that can give the soul of man the sweetest sense.

Live on, my soul, with my love, blessed both by God,
Who will give you hallowed grace and make you one.
Love makes you, my living soul, like Jesus Christ,
Who rose up from His dim grave to endless life.
BY JOSEPH ZENIEH
____________

WOMAN  AND  JUSTICE
Where is justice in this life where muscles rule,
and your muscles are not on your arms and legs
as you can't battle with man whose arms are strong;
power resides in your heart and in your brain.

Misdeeds lead you to be slain and lose repute,
whereas he who shares your sin twirls his moustache.
Like a peacock he outspreads his feathers, pleased
while you turn to broken glass out of repair.

You exhaust yourself outside your waiting house,
and return to wash the clothes and cook the meals.
Kids must be in their attire clean and neat,
or you are accused of careless attitude.

You work outdoors and indoors to please your spouse,
who should be proud of the kids who have his name.
All that happens and sweet justice is avowed
all the people on this globe are well endowed.
BY JOSEPH ZENIEH
____________

MAN AND GOD'S GIFTS
When God unfurled His wealth on people's hands,
each took his portion, looking at his kin.
He thought that God was frugal when He gave
his pittance but was lavish with the rest.

God placed His hand on morals and their tome.
He dispersed them on people, deeming needs.
Each took his morals and thought that the Lord
gave him much more than all the other souls.

God came to strength and beauty in their trunks
and hurled in excess on the kids of man.
Each scowled and said, "What would You lose if You
gave me much more of these free gifts of Yours?"

But when God put His hand in that deep pail,
and distributed minds to those around.
Each grasped his mind and did not have a keek
at others' minds lest God would change his view.
BY JOSEPH ZENIEH
____________

MAN  AND  ROBOT
What happened to the crowds that used to smile?
They used to dress their eyes in bright attire.
Something has happened and eclipsed their cheer,
the last attempt to regain their morale.

They were so proud of their own minds and strength,
but science came to rob them of that wealth.
The robot helped to make them look too small
and change their cheers into a fit of sulks.

Majestic cyber, you are great in might.
You make man seem too slow and short of sight
as man leans on the mind and you on maths;
he seems too slow to race in your fast paths.

Man can't defy you; he seems slow and frail,
which makes him tend to cower and to quail
as robots leave him far behind, and he
has nothing save that he should bend his knee.
BY JOSEPH ZENIEH
____________

LOVE IS MUCH NEARER.
What are you, love? Are you a wink that takes
the heart to distant space where the stars live,
or that sweet smile which sails with us so far
and hard to reach like that most distant star?

What are you, love? Are you a magic wand,
that substitutes a man into a dove?
Are you like ****** snow that blinds the eyes,
or what can rob the mind of its sharp will?

Are you so far or are you more than near
and live in those red lips and eyes so dear?
Aren't you in those soft hands whose touch conveys
a nice electric wave that stirs the heart?

You are so near and in those words appear,
but she can't say, and so her cheeks you sear,
and print a potent word on that fond heart
of that young man who feels the same appeal.
BY JOSEPH ZENIEH,
All rights reserved
____________

WHO  IS  INDEBTED  ?
A man and woman fall in love and wed.
They live together in a private home
to share one life for better or for worse
and get the fruit of love, a little child.

Who is indebted to the other side,
the child or parents, to the end of life?
The parents have the crown of gold they wish ;
the child abruptly finds himself around .

On earth, man has great chances of renown .
One can enjoy his life and bounteous gifts .
Yet life can be big worries and much toil ;
he may not like what they for him have done .

Who bears the palm and who has borne the brunt ?
This life has its surprising ups and downs .
In your opinion, who would get more gain,
the child or parents who know what they want ?
BY JOSEPH ZENIEH
____________

COINED FOR CHRIST
I've asked myself,"How was the word 'God' coined?"
I've found that "G" is for the nice word "good".
Indeed, God is the source of what is chaste
as seen in our Lord, pure Jesus Christ.

And "O" is for His "omnipresent" soul
that fills the world and exists in us all.
He sets Himself on earth, in space, and skies,
and exists in all hearts and saintly eyes.

And "D" is for the "deeds" that show His truth
as what He says is true without an oath.
He said He came to die. He came and died
and three days later rose as prophesied.

So fit's the word we use for Him as shown
and suits His deeds and painful crown of thorn.
It had been coined long time before He came,
but seemed as if it had been coined for Him.
BY JOSEPH ZENIEH
____________

MINDS AND LAWS
Are you the cause of peace or great revolts?
You are endowed to men at different rates.
Some have sharp ones that can invent and rule,
while others scarcely have the brain of a mule.

Fast years elapse and some get great and rich,
while others hardly have the food they wish.
In time, the brothers will be rich and poor,
and some drive cars, while some sleep on the floor.

Revolts adjust the pay, but minds again
can find the tricks to have illegal gain.
Life moves in constant rises and fair rules,
but in the end, the clever mind controls.

Is time since Cain and Abel nice and fair?
Do men live equal lives when they compare?
The men who have the sharpest minds excel,
while others will remain the back and tail.
BY JOSEPH ZENIEH
____________

TOO MEEK THOUGH HUGE
Where are we heading for with this progress?
The kings could **** and give dear lives to men.
With feudal lords, they could possess the land
and all the people with their planted grains
they ploughed and watered, yet they starved to death.

They fought and raved to reach their rights to live.
A lot of heads were kicked like ***** on fields
till men could find the spark that lit their way
and that gunpowder of the freedom day.

Democracy was gained, but tricks were born,
and science came to light what can destroy
the whole earth with the genes that could bring men
and send them where the dinosaurs were sent.

Poor dinosaurs, you were too meek though huge.
Your earth was wrecked when your space was in rage,
but though man is too small in size, he can
destroy his earth with his dark fumes and shells.
BY JOSEPH ZENIEH
___________

TWO  ANGELS
When young, we played sweet doll-house,
in which kids would selves espouse.
I chose Suzan as my girl
as her hair had a nice curl.

It was such a lovely game.
lnstinct made us man and dame.
We were white at heart and pure,
but this game could us allure.

This game could stir us so much,
but l did not her hand touch.
I looked at her curl and eyes,
yet l could my love disguise.

Clean hearts joined us as pure kids,
who shunned what the Lord forbids,
but were so glad, on cloud nine,
two angels of love divine.
BY JOSEPH ZENIEH
____________

MOODY  LUCK
What is luck? Where does it lurk?
Does it come through gifts or work?
It is said, "Great luck give me
and throw me inside the sea."

Is it like a bird that lands
near a window where one stands?
Nothing can drive it away;
from so far it comes to stay.

Bird of luck, how do you choose?
Your randomness does confuse
wisest men who want to  know
how you choose and what you do.

You may choose an ugly crone
and grant her a young baron,
while a girl of charming eyes
waits at home, stifling her sighs.
BY JOSEPH ZENIEH
____________

GOD'S ART IS ETERNAL .
How could, without a helping hand,
the earfh exist and life expand?
How can the love, we deeply feel,
reduce through death to total nil?

Could that Big Bang occur alone  
without a hand to draw its plan?
Could souls in first cells  build themselves
without a force to start their lives?

The world must have a great First Cause
Who made it start and then repose
as love must have a hand to stir
and in that warm state will endure.

That hand must be of endless strength
and won't allow that nil or death
to spoil its deeds in a cruel way
which brings to naught its great display .

This mighty hand l call my God.
I don't know what by you it's called.
He showed Himself in His great art;
the Artist came as Jesus Christ.
BY JOSEPH ZENIEH
____________

HAS HE ACHIEVED HIS JOB?
The evening comes and man lays down his head
on that soft cushion, but his eyes can't sleep.
He thinks of what he did during that day,
and if his work could his intent achieve.

That time may come again, and he can see
what was correct and wrong and he adjusts.
But what about the time that occurs once,
and no correction can his fault amend?

Each man is born with his own unique mind
and thinks that what he has is best of all.
He chooses his free way to build his boat
that should be strong enough to reach that isle.

He works so hard but his life is too short;
just like a wink of eye, it flies away.
His night abruptly comes; he tests his boat
if it can reach the isle, and sail that way.
BY JOSEPH ZENIEH
____________

THE BEE AND THE SCORPION
Life has taught me that the snake
which can **** for love of sin
is well treated by all folks
more than bees that feed all men.

Cold wind, you make people hide
and keep their trash piled at home.
Breeze of spring, you let them out,
throwing litter to cause harm.

Scorpion, fearful is your sting.
It's the cause that drive all men
to give you their great respect
so that your harm they can shun.

Scorpion, men have learnt from you
to despise the harmless bee,
and to brandish their worst mien
to make folks bend them a knee.
BY JOSEPH ZENIEH
____________

HE LEFT HIS SHIRT.
Though young, she had a heart so warm,
and missed those arms that carried her.
She is just four, too young to think,
but has a heart as soft as fur.

She saw her father's shirt on hook.
She missed his odour and his gifts.
She plunged her head between its sleeves,
and blamed his voyage without her.

She did not know where he had gone
as she was too young for such trips,
but urged her mother that they should
go after him as life got void.

Her mother cried but did not say
his land was far; she did not want
to grieve her daughter, so she said,
" He left his shirt; he would come soon."
BY JOSEPH ZENIEH
____________

LOVE AND COINS
Man needs love in this cruel world,
but most people are absurd.
You give them what they need most;
they look at you with distrust.

People love whom they will need,
who will give them food and gold.
You want people to love you,
***** them your coins; they will do.

You are wealthy, all love you.
They hear your word; it's their clue.
No one can resist your will
even if you are a fool.

This is man; he leaves your heart
and looks at your cash and vest.
What your heart yields he neglects,
but your pocket him affects.
BY JOSEPH ZENIEH

ANGEL OR DEVIL?
Father, tell me why your eyes
are so red and filled with tears?
You make my heart veiled with black
though l dress my face with cheers.

Life was kind with all of us.
Now, you are ill, thrown in bed,
and your children are so pale ;
we can scarcely eat dry bread.

I am nothing, but a belle,
lots of beauty and young age.
That's enough to bring back joy
and regain Your happy page.

First, l leave my fiance.
Then, you should not know my job.
If you know l am a *****,
you will wear a shameful robe.
BY JOSEPH ZENIEH
____________

IS IT POSSIBLE?
What do some people think of coming death?
Is it a complete void and piles of bones
that are laid under earth to shun the fate
of being eaten by some hungry dogs?

Is it the end of man who can discern
the right from wrong, the evil from good deeds?
Where is the knowledge that he's piled in mind?
Where is the love he's felt, the tears he's shed?

Is man just like the dog that romps with spree
when it gets its inside filled with fit food?
It does not care what other dogs go through
as long as it has got its stomach filled.

Do people of good hearts and those of ill
face just the same results, not fearing hell?
Do those who sympathize and those who wound
lie under the same turf with equal end?
BY JOSEPH ZENIEH
____________

EPIPHANY
The Son came to the earth and approached Saint John
two millennia ago, but it seems like now.
God the Father announced He is His sole son
and the Ghost like a Dove showed the three in one.

We live that great event and recall that scene
and we know that the Lord is modest and meek.
He came from His high sky to a man like us
and asked him to baptise the God of all men.

Nothing can match the sight when Who raised the dead
came to John to ask him to give Him that rite.
When the Lord showed Himself as a humble man,
He gave proof that He is the Lord of the sky.

He made us, and He loves all the people all.
That is why He came here to save whom He loves.
All of us are the sheep of the Good Shepherd;
He cares for all of us as we are His herd.
BY JOSEPH ZENIEH
____________

MAN DESIRED IT.
I love all the people all,
not excepting one of them.
They are all poor human beings,
who groan most of their life-time.

What are you , man, but a mind,
that can ken the end you meet?
Beasts are lucky; they don't have
knowledge of the wrong and right.

You were as pleased as the horse
which romped and grazed in the field.
Such a snake of bad intent
made you love the mind of woe.

You were so glad like a steed,
Jumping in the field of life
till that snake brought you the mind
that gave you the care of God.

God's care's too much for you, man,
but you wanted that big care,
which showed you that you would die
and God would come to repair.
BY JOSEPH ZENIEH
____________

MUCH  LIGHTER  
I went with heavy load, anguish and gloom
to meet the man to whom l could unfold
the worries that inside my heart had crept
and made me stagger in a world so cruel.

He listened, smiled and helped me to unload.
I left the place in peace, on flying wings.
I felt so light and thought that l could fly
to reach a sky so high and full of joy.

The worries l had felt all went away.
So cheerful got my night and so my day.
The peace , that l had missed, returned to me
and l got free from all anxiety.

A meeting, short and brief, regained my poise
and rendered me so light to glide above
the worries of the world that brought me down.
It pleased me through remission of all sins.
BY JOSEPH ZENIEH
____________

I LOVE WHAT I KNOW.
I love the sky, the endless space.
I love the sun, the moon, the rest.
I love the angels and the saints,
but man and land l love much more.

I love the people whom l know.
I love to see them and them hear.
I love the people l ignore.
When l know them, l love them more.

I love my friends who live around,
and those who live on distant land.
I love my kin and next of kin.
They are all like me flesh and blood.

I love you all and hope to stay
with whom l know, who share my way.
They know me and l know them well.
I would like much with them to dwell.
BY JOSEPH ZENIEH
____________

The HOLY TRINITY
My Lord, l see how You are three in one.
That will well clear how You made man like You.
You are the Father, Who rules all the worlds
as man's soul rules his mind and flesh on land.

You want us well to know that man's pure soul
has led the flesh to bear the cross of pain.
Through mind and flesh man works, but flesh will die
to resurrect to life and rise again.

The Lord, the Son, in His Flesh walked the path
that His Soul set to Him in Flesh to walk.
Then His Flesh rose from death as His Soul set
to make His Flesh as glorious as His Soul.

The Holy Spirit is the Love between.
He shares the Soul and Flesh to rule the worlds.
And thus, the Three are One but in three forms
as man in soul, and flesh and exchanged love.
BY JOSEPH ZENIEH
____________

THE MAKER AND HIS TINY IMAGE
We are whirling with the Earth and turning round
in an endless space that none can ever bound
while we are like grains of sand that forces keep
stable where we stand on this fast moving ground.

What are you, size pulling force, that fixed the stars,
all the planets and the Earth, the little one?
All are pulling and exerting their deep cores
so that man exists on Earth and use his mind.

Thinking minds have learned all that, but they are small.
They can deem the forces that can push and pull,
but they are too frail to know all what occurred
or what force has prepared all for man to live.

Force of life, You must be One That can create,
with a mind like that of man but of great might.
You could make the universe and then made man
as a tiny image of Your mighty form.
Later, You sent man Your Son to teach him all.
BY JOSEPH ZENIEH
____________

IT NEVER DIES .
She is old, scarcely can go  outdoors,
but her heart still beats for that old love.
As long as her heart beats to send blood,
it will beat for old love that once ruled.

Love is grace endowed by the great Lord
to join two and keep them like pure gold.
They get all their flesh needs and stay chaste
as their souls God's full blessings unite.

Human hearts live to love and to pump
to feed veins and the flesh with life stuff.
Love is stirred in the heart by the soul,
and like it, love will have endless life.

The sweet sense dwells beneath a thick veil
to give love a deep role in man's life.
That's why God joins the two to get one
so that none can sever or take part.
BY JOSEPH ZENIEH
____________

THE  STRONGER  FIRST
The stronger always show their true love first.
They are most often stirred by charm and ruth.
The weaker can accept the strong ones' love,
or find that life without it will be mirth.

That's what a normal woman often does.
She sees in him the power of her life.
The master who can't **** over her heart
can't be the man who can give her delight.

No one can mean that weakness has no charm.
The mother gives her life to her weak babe.
Without that creature who is small and frail,
her soul can't cheer up, nor her heart beat well.

My Lord, You are the stronger, and you came
to open us the gate of Your high sky.
At Christmas, You came, and at Easter rose.
You've drawn the way and with You we comply.
BY JOSEPH ZENIEH
____________

MY   WRITINGS
Some people's writings can be works of art,
great songs or what can fill the hearts with zest.
But here, my writings are what my soul lives,
seeking the place where it can find its rest.

My writings are not just some charming terms
that fit the tastes of those who like what's cute.
Although l do my best to dress them well,
I look for  thoughts that for sure my soul suit.

I pursue what can give my heart great ease
and live a tranquil life through what l feel.
I try to see the way that will lead me
to where l scan the end of good appeal.

I use the beauty that l see around
to get a notion that can match this end.
I like to build a castle for my soul,
which l can versus deep remorse defend.
BY JOSEPH ZENIEH
___________

TRUE  GIFTS
I see no hope in life, but through true gifts
when people set no limits when they give.
They see their love in gifts that can free them
from fear of death and its most horrid grave.

Place your heart in those gifts and feel their taste
which  is much sweeter than all what you take.
No sense can be as sweet as that you feel
as it will free your heart from what can break.

The boundless gifts make you attached to whom
you love to give and keep him close beside.
True gifts can join the hearts and make them one
as love unites those hearts which gifts can bind.

The Lord has placed survival in this world
on acts of giving between man and wife.
They both give all, their flesh, their minds, and souls,
which keeps their kind and saves them from all grief.
BY JOSEPH ZENIEH
____________

HELL IS A REALITY.
An old man thought his heart was mild.
It would forget bad deeds of yore.
He did not deem it was so mean
and all his wrongs were kept in store.

When power filled his arms and legs,
he paid back an eye for an eye.
It garnered his and rubbed their acts
to make him sigh for that and cry.

He scarcely could forget a wrong
when he recalled another one.
It made his life a vicious hell
whose source was burning from within.

Hot fire scorched the old man's soul
and came from his torturing heart.
I wonder how some people say
hell is a myth mad people start.
BY JOSEPH ZENIEH
____________

TOO  LATE  TO  CHANGE
He spent his youth consulting books
about the thoughts that were the best.
He worked so ******* thoughts and words
that gave a pledge of a false bequest.

When young, he earned what was enough
but could not store for his old age.
The books he read instructed him
when matching thoughts, wealth would soon  cringe.

His youth was spent on books of verse
that made him know the black from white,
but life taught him that only gold
could bring respect and prove him right.

He looked around and found his books
could not give him the cost of life.
They were like paupers on his desk
that could not save his kids from grief.
BY JOSEPH ZENIEH
____________

THE  PRICELESS  PRESENT
Live for the present, my dear man.
Don't think of past days how they ran,
and took with them what they could take
to leave in your heart constant ache.

Don't live the future ere it comes
as its obscure days none fathoms.
It might be good as it is now,
but none its events can avow.

Live for the present, drink its wine
as time's mad chariot won't recline.
Just in a jiffy, you will be
too old to drink your wine with glee.

The present is the time of space
where no time with chariots to race.
Let your heart dance, and dance with it
as constant present brings delight.
BY JOSEPH ZENIEH
____________

CHRISTMAS
God's children needed help from their great Lord.
You left Your heights and came down as a Child.
The Child reassured all the hearts of men
that He would bring His love the world to reign.
You took man's form and followed his own style
to show that man to You is so worthwhile.

The people yearned  to know what was that Lord
Who can do all and build the sky and world.
You showed them that He is sheerly a born child
Who loved man much, and him He glorified.

How modest You were when You left Your skies
and showed us God in that young Baby's eyes,
assuring man that his Lord is a fact,
and dwells in all the world and in man's heart.
I beg You, Lord, for rebirth in the hearts
to touch the faith, and kindle our lights.
BY JOSEPH ZENIEH
____________

DON'T  QUAIL!
Go forth, don't fear the dark; it's always there.
If you wait till the morn, no crown you wear.
The crown you see is gold, and all do want.
Don't wait, take it just now. No one will grant.

Though dark, good people's hearts live in the light.
It's not the case with those who love the night.
They want the dark to stay till they can own
The precious aim you love and wear the crown.

The crown is yours; that's what your father's left
for you to take; it's his most precious gift.
Don't let the thieves take it; your father's eyes
are watching his great gifts from his high skies.

Your father will be vexed if you don't get
what he assigned to you in his clear writ.
When morning comes each keeps what he has gained,
and you can't clear your soul of what you've stained.
BY JOSEPH ZENIEH
____________

BUT STILL A WOLF
A newborn wolf was nursed by a tender sheep
and grew up a constant love to all their type.
When he got fully grown, he loved to live
with that who helped him in life to survive.

Two rams who saw him faithful to their herd
spoke kindly with him, but they were afraid
of his sharp teeth and his long, fearful claws
that could tear them to pieces in hot rows.

The poor wolf tried his best to show his love.
He warded off attacks, fierce wolves could shove.
He faced great danger just to gain their trust,
and get one of the herd that he loved most.

But still he was a wolf to those two rams,
who saw in him to their pride humbling slams.
A look at him would make them see his source,
a foe who was a fierce fiend to their house.
BY JOSEPH ZENIEH
___________

THE  MYSTERIOUS  PLEDGE
There is something in this world.
I don't know what it can be.
It is hidden from my eyes.
I feel, but l can't it see.

Always, l hope that some day
It will show its smiling face
and fills my heart with great cheers
as it gives me all l miss.

It will come and bring its gifts
that l expect for long time.
That won't be the end of hope
as it pledges more to come.

It's my hope all through this life,
which time and death spoil its shape.
This mysterious pledge is what
fills my life with greatest hope.
BY JOSEPH ZENIEH
____________

A JOYFUL MEETING
All were so happy showing winsome youth,
singing and dancing on a top wavelength.
The place around was full of brilliant glee
that aroused in my heart a sense of spree.

I heard inside my heart an urgent call
that springs of life would inside me install.
I found all life around call with loud voice,
"Get up, you, sluggish man, your joy announce."

I found myself in a dancing ring and life,
all life, was playing music on a fife,
Looking at me to jump and fill the place  
with what my soul was full, great, immense bliss.

I felt the strength of joy moving my arms,
granting me all the pluck, and beat my drums.
I danced and danced not caring for my age
and filled the sphere with glee and spry messege.
BY JOSEPH ZENIEH
____________

MORE THAN HIDE AND SEEK
It was a lovely night, beside a summer house.
The parents were so quiet; the children cheered and danced.
The night set out to dress the site with a hue of shade.
Just then the kids would opt their skills to be displayed.

The boys would run and jump with a strong bent for contests.
The girls spruced up their hair; they would accuse and scream.
Their parents were involved in their drinks and their mirth;
the boys and girls would cheer so glad about their youth.

They all were pleased to play, but my mind was with her.
I followed all her steps, trying no doubt to stir.
I was so glad when she suggested " Hide and Seek".
It gave a chance to me to approach her and speak.

She hid behind a fence; she found me at her side.
I looked deep in her eyes and caught her childish hand.
She was so pleased like me and shared me a sweet smile
that printed in our hearts an image still agile.
BY JOSEPH ZENIEH
____________

SELF-ESTEEM AND RESULTS
Wise self-esteem is not a gift.
It's built by self and not bestowed.
The mountain peak can pierce the clouds.
It's height is in and not endowed.

You can plant hills and make them green,
and full of flowers, a lovely sight,
but they can't in their height compete
with lofty chains to reach high site.

My self-esteem is what l build,
and knit its stitches with my hands.
Machines can never reach that end;
craftsmen construct and then art stands.

Vain kings came and went but could not
leave what Napoleon's hands could weave.
The world was full of passers-by,
but few whose self-esteem could  thrive.
BY JOSEPH ZENIEH
____________

WHAT ELSE CAN I DO?
Where can l find my peace of mind
while each is drawing the common quilt
to his side not just for a cover,
but having it, no sense of guilt?

I shiver and beg for a share,
but no one listens to my plea.
I'm dying of the freezing cold,
but all are blind to what they see.

I look at their wide, greedy eyes,
but find them full of spurning pride.
They pride themselves on haughty might,
and look down on my pleading dread.

Am l a gent or just a mouse,
that fears to pull as others do?
I've thrown to hell my gentle ways,
and just to me the quilt l draw.
BY JOSEPH ZENIEH
____________

WHAT'S LOVE?
I've thought you're joy and utmost gain;
I've found you, love, an extreme pain.
You've pushed my heart to get attached.
Then you've got supreme in my heart.

In spring, when fair, the clime can please,
but still, l fear the touch of a breeze.
When time cheers up, l laugh but say,
" Good times have got a shortlived stay."

Love gets the whole of my fond soul
but care makes my soul soft and frail.
It gets too spent under love's yoke
but for love's sake, l cannot talk.

Love gets the master of my life
that for it l wage fiercest strife.
It makes me ken the life of Christ,
Who for His great love His life lost.
BY JOSEPH ZENIEH
___________

WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?
What have you done on that long trip which you have made?
You have worked hard, but all has left nothing in hand.
Your mind stands as a judge to ask what you have done.
What will your answer be? Is it, "l have done none"?

But you have worked so hard. What has your work led to?
You've helped a lot to be on better land than you.
Is that a good reply that can satiate your mind?
If yes, l think you have a mind too small and void.

You sit with those who speak about their work and wealth.
Are they of better skills that they could prove their strength?
Or you suppose they are what you cannot approve.
Say that to your own mind. Will it your words conceive?

You've drudged; that's great to hear, but now you do not cheer.
Did you give Caesar what to Caesar should adhere?
Thank God, your soul is clear, but is your mind clear too?
Your mind is shouting loud; calm down its loud ado.
BY JOSEPH ZENIEH
____________

THE LUNATIC ASYLUM
She is so dull and boring to be with,
but he finds in her face her parents' name,
and house of rich furniture and attire.
All that can convince him she is his mate.

Is our present world a place where men
have lost their minds and hearts and found their aims
in precious gold and coins, in famous names,
and money whose bad smell repels the clean?

Where is the beauty of a smiling face,
the charm of words that teaches us to love?
Where are the eyes that tell us endless tales
of snow white love that gains immortal life?

Let them sit with the boring face and words,
with eyes that urge to yawn and go to sleep
without that body heat to warm their beds,
but with stink wealth to bring them awful dreams.
BY JOSEPH ZENIEH
____________

TRUE LOVE HAD CHARM.
The place was far from town and men,
green land where l expected deer
to live and so l hurried there,
but my good luck joined me with her.

I approached slowly as l knew
my human deer was pure and wild,
but with no noise and from behind
she found me there, catching her hand.

She felt my touch was not for lust,
but just a touch of purest love.
She caught my hand and then we walked
to where her parents pitched their tent.

When they conceived what l announced,
they blessed the step we both would take.
True love had charm that opened eyes
to bless the gold rings we would wear.
BY JOSEPH ZENIEH
____________

STILL WAITING FOR SOMETHING
An old man by the street, weak and forlorn.
He has nothing to do; he looks and yearns
to find a little sense of what he does:
he leaves the garden bench where nights are spent,
and goes to that street side to spend his days.

He is too old to do the work he did
ere years could carry him to his old sge.
He looks at faces as by chance he sees
a face that he might know and might give ease
or could remind him of his dear, past years.

Where are the glorious days he has dreamed of?
They have postponed their advent day by day.
His eyes have got so dim; his strength has dropped,
but he's still waiting for those days to come
to lift his heart and find good sense to life.
BY JOSEPH ZENIEH
____________

LIFE IS MERE LUCK.
He walked along the moor to soothe his mind
and think about the sense of life on Earth.
He saw a girl; she ran away from him
as she was scared of kin who sought her trace
to take her to a house she loathed to see.

Her charm was really rare that he could not
let her escape as that would bring him woe
for being lazy bones when he could act.

He stopped her and they sat; they talked for long.
He found some traits in her that he looked for.
His love was clear and shone in his fond eyes.
It was contageous to her hungry soul.

He was so pleased she was fit as a wife,
and she was glad to meet the man she wished.
They went to where they called their cosy house,
convinced that life was just a lucky chance.
BY JOSEPH ZENIEH
____________

THE OLD MAN'S SOCK
His grandchild came from distant land.
She saw a hole in his old sock.
She laughed and told all those around,
and made that hole their evening's talk.

He got so famous for that hole
so quickly and with no effort,
while pages of verse he could fill
and no one gave them just a squint.

He laughed and made them laugh with him
when he could play that witty role,
"I am a grandpa and can't claim
to be one without my sock's hole."
BY JOSEPH ZENIEH
____________