Okoro, Nwafor, and Ejike.
Three unwise men from the Floral east
Where spurred by an atavistic urge
To visit the Shrine of NWOKE
The Hedonist! The keeper
Of the frothy Necta
That soothes anxiety with oils of pleasure.
At the crack of dawn.
The keeper makes a journey
Far into the blurry thickest
Were he ascending to the heavenly
And communes with the deities
As a Reward
He is blessed with Necta
With which he curses Men.
From ***** crow to sunset
The Shrine of Palmfonds
Is never void of men.
Poor Devils!
Seeking to ease the heebie-jeebies of existence.
But the talisman is temporal!
The spirit only possesses for a night.
It flees by dawn cos it fears the light.
The three unwise men from the Floral east
Made another visit to the Shrine.
They became faithful.
They live only on the poisonous Necta
FIT ONLY FOR THE GODS.

I never walk alone
Son of my father
Blood of my ancestors
Careful as cat
Silent as snake
Brave as honey badger
Strong as polar bear

Blood of my ancestors
Son of my father
I never walk alone

(c) Nwafor Oji Awala
Ogale
2025

You kept awake the embers of our clan
You were the breath that measured
the heart of our ethnic fire

Wherever you are, we miss you
Wherever you are, we love you

There are no more fires here
Our hearths were handed to predators
By those who became lords after you

Wherever you are, we miss you
Wherever you are, we remember you

(c) Nwafor Oji Awala
Ogale Eleme
Nigeria
Nov 2024

In the hush of first dew, where whisdpers weave,  
Ants tread softly on a tapestry of leaves.  
Each carrying grains from the earth’s deep chest,  
Preserving their paths in a dance manifest.  

With tiny feet marching, each one a mind,  
Together they toil; purpose intertwined.  
A lineage vibrant, their essence remains,  
Rooted in soil where memory gains.  

Our ethnic threads braid through time's gentle tide.  
We mold our ways with care and precision,  
A legacy rich with each passing vision.  

I am the lion guarding this strong pride;  
Flames in my heart, the world my guide.  
With roar like thunder echoing afar,    
I stand as protector 'neath each guiding star.  

Through rivers twisting and mountains looming,  
I forge an embrace where our ways find room;    
Though unfamiliar winds howl and shadows encroach,
Our spirit is anchored, their tides shall reproach.

Roots run deep into history’s vein:    
Pulses of wisdom defying disdain.
Amidst all distractions we thrive side by side;      
In unity's strength do our ways abide.

So let them come forth with trinkets so bright,
Their flickers may dazzle but fade in the night;
Yet here we are steadfast, a quilt ever whole,
Embracing our pathways, to nurture one soul.

For like pathogens pressing for dominance near,
We stand evergreen, our resolve crystal clear.
Hand-in-hand forging a future revered,
As guardians proud, we have nothing to fear.

Ode to our journey enriched beyond tears,
Where laughter resounds through generations’ years!
The ant knows her worth as she carries her load;
To preserve what was sacred, a love never sold.

The lion roars loudly, a symbol sublime:
Guardianship glows across breadths of all time.
From valleys to peaks, from dusk until dawn,
Essence preserved, as it must carry on!

(c) Nwafor Oji Awala
May 2025