Issues No More

My mind has been busy, but so I’ve been,
Thinking about issues, and the issues within issues;
It’s amazing how we think so much,
About issues, and the issues within issues!
Sometimes, you find yourself asking,
What are these issues that occupy one’s thoughts,
And why?
As I’ve found out, a lot of the issues that occupy our minds,
Just grow in leaps and bounds,
And soon become issues themselves -
That’s why i call them issues within issues!
Distractions, most of them!
You start off thinking one thing,
And end up thinking a myriad others;
Issues within issues, they become!

One bright idea, soon blooms into branches and leaves
Expanding what was once an idea;
And if not checked or tamed,
You get distracted, even overwhelmed,
By What was once a simple thought - an idea!
The light bulb moment soon becomes a dimmer switch
Flickering back and forth, 

dimming into oblivion even!!

For how long? I ask myself;
Enough! I tell myself;
Dare I allow this to happen again?
No, no more!
Time to get a grip of those mutating thoughts
That multiply simple issues
Complicating them with issues within them!
No more!

~ 03/ii/2020 ~

Odelekuku (O-day-lay-coo-coo) begins.....

Odelekuku (O-day-lay-coo-coo) perched at one of her favourite spots, from where she loved to observe all the comings and goings, of people criss-crossing the earth’s crust, in search of daily cares.

Odelekuku’s favourite spot was here, there, and everywhere;

wherever Odelekuku roosted her frame, transformed into that spot!

"Look for that place where your heart feels safe, and at home;

find that space that brings peace to your heart, and you’re home!"

Her words….always filled with conviction! Those, and her sagely eyes that saw all, but whose mouth spoke little,

…..unless and until….!

A wind from nowhere had broken through the clouds of her morning reverie….

It was an amazing moment of excitement,

as exhilaration and elation merged in rapprochement,

buoyed by the unshackling of once-shackled chains,

nurtured by the entombment of crucified banes!

A glorious vision had come like a jolt of thunderbolt propulsion,

thrust and stoked by a glorious vision that had surged into her a.m. contemplations.

It had touched the ground zero of her meditations,

casting its beacons of revelation,

upon the roaming of her meditation,

evoking a refrain from her lips, in description of the excitement that had visited her morn:

“The rays of this glorious light,

drenched my path with their breath;

I looked up, and saw how their girth,

had ensnared the once-upon-a-time dark shadows,

that had cast lots upon life’s joy!

Their blaze seared through the veil on my face,

disrobing its covering of blindness;

their gleams revealed the belly of new paths,

and beamed even brighter on once-concealed paths!

I began to see clearly…..now i see clearly,

the things that should have been, but never were,

because they couldn’t be;

I began to see clearly…..now i see clearly,

the things that should be, but never could be,

because they wouldn’t be;

I began to see clearly…..now i see clearly,

the things that should begin to be,

because they could be, and should be;

and because they would be, and will be!

I followed its rays,

and the bearing of its way;

my steps they quickened, even transposed

into unfettered backflips of delight;

joy had crept back into my existence,

joy had been rescued from the dungeons of slander,

that had been built by the assumptions of the unschooled,

and the dispositions of the loathsome few,

who bask in strutting like uncircumcised philistines,

disturbing the pool of joy of the children of promise,

of the High and Exalted One!

Ah, blessed joy, always on time!

Riding on the crest of the vision

that invaded my thoughts this dawn,

I welcomed it.... i welcome it!

For, now i see clearly.... i can see clearly,

the things that should begin to be,

because they could be, and should be;

and because they would be, and will be!”

~ 19/ix/12 ~

N-I-G-E-R-I-A

Once she stood tall...a giant from within.

6 feet and more....perhaps even 7.

Her emergence anywhere, and everywhere,

hailed, heralded, and announced with pageantry.

Her name sent trembles, yet it attracted;

her voice thundered, yet it attracted;

her gaze often stern, yet it attracted;

sometimes, she breathed "fire," yet she attracted!

Attracted......attractive....attraction....

They all became her!

From far and wide came people; 

from wide and far gathered they;

attracted by the attractiveness of her attraction;

Seduced by her attractive beckoning!

Her children swelled with pride, 

daily rising to call her "blessed!"

SHE was....she WAS....SHE WAS!

Once upon a time, she was "blessed!"

"Blessed" with good looks;

"Blessed" with promise;

"Blessed" with hope;

"Blessed" with life.

"Blessed" with love!

Attracted....attractive....attraction

They all became her!

Her children called her "blessed," and sucked;

They called her "blessed," and tugged;

They called her "blessed," and ripped;

They called her "blessed," and gulped!

A melange of sucking, tugging, ripping, and gulping!

They....

Sucked the breasts that gave them milk;

Tugged at the heart that gave them love;

Ripped the belly that gave them food;

Gulped the breath that gave them life!

Each time they did, she dropped an inch, 

Her....

Name, no longer attractive;

Her voice screamed into a whimper;

The gaze in her eyes now ashen;

The "fire" in her now turned to embers,

And cinders that may never burn again!
Unless....

Her children stand looking, at the one they once called "blessed!"

-      their mother!

She looks up, at the ones who once called her "blessed!"

-      her children!

Betwixt her tears she cries,

Why?

Why?

Why?

Why is she no longer "blessed?"

Reminiscences of a time hover,

A time when…

Her name sent trembles, yet it attracted;

her voice thundered, yet it attracted;

her gaze often stern, yet it attracted

sometimes, she breathed "fire," yet she attracted!

Attracted....attractive....attraction

They all became her!

Weakened, ruined, bruised, and abused

by the very same children who called her “blessed,”

she must rise…..yes, she must arise!

This time she must tell them,

My blessedness comes from you;

My blessedness comes through you;

My blessedness is of you;

My blessedness is for you,

My blessedness is about you;

My blessedness is in you!

Of you....by you....for you....my blessedness is!

Love me again, she begs.

Care for me, she insists.

Nurture what I gave you freely, she instructs.

Rekindle the ebbing cinders of my habitation,

Restore the lost lustre that was once my attraction,

Rebuild the waste places;

Reawaken that giant from within!

Restitute! Restitute! Restitute!

And call me “blessed,” again!

TO MY FATHER on FATHERS’ DAY

All through my growing up years, one man stood out…he still does! In my eyes, as a child, he was the tallest man on earth! At 84, he still is! As to his strength, that was not debatable – he would lift me up, and swing me around, yet, i would not be afraid of him losing his grip. And when he carried me on his shoulder, i did so with glee, and abandon. The look in his eyes, the assuring smile, as he did that, told me i could trust him with my life – for, i knew he would NEVER let anything befall me!

That’s DAD! Today, several years down the line, i’m no longer that “little,” girl, whom he used to carry on his shoulder! At 84 years of age, i doubt that he would be able to do that, if he tried...i wouldn't even let him, lest i break the bones of his frail body....

As I told Mom not too long ago, i often wonder where, or even how the years passed....YET, i know (and feel)  that in Dad’s eyes, i’m still his little girl! I still see on that face, the look that taught me, several years ago, the true meaning of TRUST. In every sense of it, it gives great joy to feel that with DAD, i can still be that little girl again and again…..

That’s DAD! He would never demand of any of his children anything other than that we should succeed. His encouraging words, times without number, telling us that we can touch the sky…and reach beyond it. All we need to do is give it a good shot… a good aim, of course, is necessary, but Dad always says, “don’t strain yourself!” He knows when he says so, we’ll definitely give it our best shot…AND succeed, yes, we would! The pride on his face, and the pride in his voice, each time we cross a hurdle, or achieve a milestone, is enough reward, and good reason for the “strain!”

That’s DAD! A most unassuming and kindly man, yet an epitome of nobility and encouragement! Humble, (sometimes, i think, to a fault), that’s DAD…the best there is…the best there could ever be!

And his love for his family – who can compare! To him, we owe our lessons, in what family is, and what it takes to be a family. Dad’s family includes his nuclear and adopted families  - friends of his children, church members, the neighbour down the road, the young lady who handles his account at the Bank, the doctor who comes knocking, the newly married couple next door….a vast, vast number, who fondly call him, “daddy,” “uncle,” “grandpa,” or “papa,” as it suits their generation. I remain eternally grateful, for the privilege to be one of them! It is indeed an honour. As The Good Book says, “The righteous man walks in his integrity; his children are blessed after him.” (Proverbs 20:7 NKJV).

How can we fail to acknowledge your deep commitment and marriage, to the same woman – Mom - for 55 years....and still counting! An inspiration beyond measure, for which we daily thank God.

I often wonder why a particular day should be set aside to celebrate Fathers’ Day, or Mothers’ Day, for, in truth, it should be EVERY DAY. I guess it’s great to have a day to go the extra mile to celebrate these unique people.

Not too long ago, it was Mom’s turn to be celebrated. It’s your turn today, Dad. And i do so, with deep love and fondness, and from the deepest depths of my heart. Here are a few poems to summarise, appreciate and celebrate you, not just today, Fathers' Day, but always and forever…

If Everyone Had a Father Like You : Karl Fuchs

If everyone had a father
Who was more like you,
There'd be more laughing, joy and singing;
Fewer people would be blue.
There'd be much more understanding;
Crime and hate could not prevail.
We'd all be so contented,
We wouldn't need a jail.
If everyone had a father
Who was more like you,
The whole world would be blessed,
Just as I am blessed with you.


A Father's Love

A father is respected because
he gives his children leadership...
appreciated because
he gives his children care...
valued because
he gives his children time...
loved because
he gives his children the one thing
they treasure most - himself.

Happy Fathers' Day, DAD...may you ALWAYS, ALWAYS be blessed....Amen....

Your loving daughter, 

~~ ada (Princess)~~

To My Mother!

I look at those hands that once were strong, and tended to all six of us, at various times in our infancy and growing up years. I look at your back, not so straight or strong anymore, bent from age and this thing called "life." I look at those legs, that once "ferried" us from one place to another - school, Church, hospitals, friends' homes, sporting activities, youth clubs - one place or another.

My heart almost breaks sometimes, when i look at your frail body, an evidence of your 81 years of age. I often wonder where, or even how the years passed....

BUT......when i hear your voice, my heart leaps and brims with joy. It is still the ever assuring and reassuring voice of Mom. 

I see your open arms, and though i can't run into them, as i once did, lest i push the wind out of you, i know and feel that i've done just that, as i settle into the warm embrace of your assuring hug. Like a child, i feel safe again! It is true, what they say about a Mother's arms, and hugs - the warmth in them NEVER runs dry, or goes cold.

The look in your eyes, says enough - gentle; warm; chiding sometimes, but lovingly so; firm, as you dish out words of advice; dancing excitedly, as you tell stories of your life experiences, and times gone; hopeful, as you talk about a future for your children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and the generations that will be, after you're long gone! And your prayers, how can we ever overlook them? The ever constant - "May God always be with you!" Said in our native dialect, its import so strong and assertive, we feel God acting on it promptly and with gusto!  

Married to the same man for 55 years....and still counting! Mother of many, six of them biological, all, her children; grandmother of many; great grandmother of even more; and i, privileged to be one of the many, in the different generations! In unison, from far and wide, we each, and all rise, and call you, "Blessed!"

For me, EVERY DAY is Mothers' Day, when i think of you, and what you represent in my life! I know i'm not alone in that assertion! And so, i celebrate you, not just today, Mothers' Day, but always and forever...surmised in a poem that has traversed several moons and generations, and which you taught me as a child: 

My Mother : Ann Taylor (1782 - 1866)

Who fed me from her gentle breast,
And hush’d me in her arms to rest,
And on my cheek sweet kisses prest?
My Mother.

When sleep forsook my open eye,
Who was it sung sweet hushaby,
And rock’d me that I should not cry?
My Mother.

Who sat and watched my infant head,
When sleeping in my cradle bed,
And tears of sweet affection shed?
My Mother.

When pain and sickness made me cry,
Who gazed upon my heavy eye,
And wept for fear that I should die?
My Mother.

Who dress’d my doll in clothes so gay,
And taught me pretty how to play.
And minded all I had to say?
My Mother.

Who taught my infant lips to pray,
And love God’s holy book and day.
And walk in Wisdom’s pleasant way?
My Mother.

And can I ever cease to be
Affectionate and kind to thee,
Who was so very kind to me?
My Mother

Ah, no! the thought I cannot bear;
And if God please my life to spare,
I hope I shall reward thy care,
My Mother.

Who ran to help me when I fell,
And would some pretty story tell,
Or kiss the place to make it well?
My Mother.

When thou art feeble, old, and gray,
My healthy arm shall be thy stay,
And I will soothe thy pains away.
My Mother.

And when I see thee hang thy head,
‘Twill be my turn to watch thy bed.
And tears of sweet affection shed,
My Mother.

For God, who lives above the skies,
Would look with vengeance in His eyes,
If I should ever dare despise
My Mother.

For could our Father in the skies
Look down with pleased or loving eyes,
If ever I could dare despise
My Mother.

Happy Mothers' Day, MOM...may you ALWAYS, ALWAYS be blessed....Amen....

Your daughter, 
~~ ada ~~

On MY B-I-R-T-H-D-A-Y ☀❤ ♫.•*¨`*•: 10th March '10

All gratitude to The Most High, for another 365-day journey in His eternal plan for my life. It’s really been an interesting time of it – lessons learnt, joys, high times, low times. Sometimes, i’ve felt lost and forlorn, but He gently assures me each time, that He is near; sometimes I’ve felt like a disappointment to even myself, but He gently chides me, and takes me back; sometimes i’ve been in overdrive, wearing the “know-it-all cloak” of human frailty, but He gently turns the wheel back  in the direction He has prepared for me; and when i’ve felt tired and weary, He has been my constant strength; the times the battle seemed beyond me, He has stepped in, to cause a victory. And can i overlook the blessings He loads me with – renewed and afresh every morning – equipping me for the day.


High on the list of blessings are my family, friends and loved ones. People i would never….could never trade for anything! It’s not even worth the try! For, each one of them represents a world in my heart, enriching my life in every little way. The ones i can call up at any hour and they’ll be there to listen; the ones who walk with me, believe in me, trust in me enough to encourage and support me; the ones who know me, and still love me for who i am; the ones whom i don’t see or hear from often, but can still feel their presence in my heart – for, is it not said that, “the road to a loved one’s heart, is never long!” I love you all dearly, and yes, i love each one specially….


Birthdays are a time to look back and take stock. In truth, it represents everyone’s personal “New Year,” when you rest the “old year,” with thanks, and usher in another. It brings with it a rush of excitement of knowing and appreciating the opportunity of another wonderful journey!


All deference to The Potter, Who, like past years, will be moulding (and remoulding) me into the shape of His Perfect Will for my life. All submission to The Shepherd, Who leads me in the way that i should and shall go!


Happy ☀❤ ♫.•*¨`*•Birthday ☀❤ ♫.•*¨`*• to me ☀❤ ♫.•*¨`*• and many more years of working and walking in His Vineyard! In simple trust, i submit to Him….for, i know, that in green pastures, He leads me….Amen...

THE SIMPLE THINGS... (1)

We tend to allow ourselves to get so taken up by the things going on around us, in our everyday lives, that we often take little, SIMPLE things for granted. The convenient and now very popular cliché, “the vicissitudes life!” has assumed a huge proportion of our daily vocabulary, to the detriment of the simple things that make life worth living.


Usually it takes something to happen before we look inwards and realise that those “little things” are the things that really matter. Something usually has to happen before we appreciate that the things that have assumed a position in the archive folder of our minds, are actually the things that should be at the front burner of our everyday thoughts and lives. SIMPLE THINGS!


What are these SIMPLE THINGS? They’re just simple things that cause us to be a blessing to the world around us. The smile that we give the man or the woman on the street that could make the difference to him! And though you may not know her or what the issue with him is, that smile may be all they need to boost their wavering confidence.


It's the telephone call, email or text message to that sister or brother that says you're thinking of them. And though you may not know what challenges he is facing at the time, or whether she has just lost her job, the call may be all that’s needed to say that it’s not all bad....that there’s hope!


It's the child at the park, who leaves her mates to run to mom, or dad, for a brief, but reassuring hug, then goes back to playing with her friends. That’s all she needs to know that she can take on the world. The father who makes out the time to take the children out for the day, while mom gets to spend some time to go to the saloon, or “chin wag” with her friends. It's about making time to play those Nintendo games that we buy for our children, with them. It's the family that finds the time to do things together - quality time that guarantees an incomparable closeness.


It's the guy at work, who selflessly urges you to excel in the team, by suggesting how to do it and lending a hand to make sure it happens. It’s you offering a listening ear to that work colleague. And though you can only imagine what she’s going through from what she tells you, your listening ear may be all she needs to keep her holding on.


It’s about the friend who, though miles away, makes out time in his/her busy schedule to call to "just touch base." It’s also about that nearby friend who slips a little “hello” card under your door. No words uttered, just the note and you know someone is looking out for you. It’s also you adding something to your shopping list for that neighbour across the street. And although he or she never returns the gesture, without knowing it, you may have blessed a family, that had been wondering where their next meal would come from


SIMPLE THINGS are also about looking at the relationships we hold dear to us. It’s about knowing, accepting and appreciating that sometimes, it would seem like things will never work out, despite all we do and all we “invest” in our relationships.


BUT SIMPLY TAKING THE TIME AND COMMITTING TO:


- Learning how to deal with the bumpy parts along the way and looking at the smooth paths ahead: looking for the smooth parts in the bumps (there’s always one), and of course the smooth paths ahead


- Keeping on and never giving up: never give up on something or someone you believe in. Calling to remembrance, the reason(s) why you held on in the first place and hold on to that.


- Working out and walking through the excesses and limitations: yes, the cliché is “everything in moderation,” but we tend to overdo things sometimes. As to the limitations, well, those are the inadequacies that remind us that no one is perfect.


- Focusing on the good and smoothening out the imperfections: Focusing on better things regarding every relationship – business, personal, marriage, work, school, church, etc. are guaranteed "green lights" to them turning out okay.


Simple as these things seem, they may not always be easy to do or even commit to. In truth, some of the people we meet and encounter in our daily lives, tend to stretch our emotional capacity beyond comprehension sometimes. BUT, working on our belief system that we can do these things...that we can commit to doing them....is what convinces us that it’s all worth the try!