Community Poems
99. In My Perfect World
by Kea Campbell
In a perfect world, you and I could saunter— free.
Breathing fresh, salt-licked air.
Where the ocean reaches for our feet, and the sun melts into the sea, and the sky drapes over its long lost twin.
Where the forest and the sky and the land love humanity dearly, like a neighborhood that could thrive for eternity.
In a perfect world, there would be no bicker of capitalists and environmentalists— merely political empathy.
I dream of boring news channels.
When red, white, and blue don't seem so embarrassing, nor disgraceful to half of the country, and "liberty and justice for all" hugs "all" comfortably.
When the government is wed to candor bound by the promise of life and liberty, and diplomacy relieves, and monopolies fancy consumers' well-being.
......
The Bridge
by Nkwachukwu Ogbuagu
We call her Oma.
She’s a simple, old, haggard wooden bridge
In my neighbourhood,
On the shaved navel of the forest, heavy and solemn,
With the colour of an aged, wizened python,
Spotted here and there and striped there and then.
So ramshackle, but friendly, cosy to the naked feet,
With that royal smell of wood-cellar combined with
The health of ancient wine.
Nothing more . . . .
......
The Festival of African Rain
by Nkwachukwu Ogbuagu
The natives have
(since the seventh month peeped
through the lean crescent eye of the moon)
worn cloaks of festivities.
They dance the rites,
squelching proudly in mud and green pools
of water.
On their heads are smouldering fires of corns
And pears, and ingredients of a lush season.
......
Rosemary's Wedding
by Nkwachukwu Ogbuagu
This Sunday,
Before noon,
In my community church,
Wedding bells ringꓽ
Rosemary,
Daughter of our land,
Weds!
Grand invitations
......
Silent Waters
by Nkwachukwu Ogbuagu
Silent waters are ripples not grimaced
Where the sea plants stand limp in peaceful
Accolades for the aquatic jungle, young and unexplored . . .
Torrents of troubled wasters flake their froths at roosting time
When infertile reeds disvirgin puerile and naïve banks of
Assailed brooks
Silent waters, fodder-narrowness race of gentle run,
Running cleverly in runout channels into the plains;
......
99. In My Perfect World
by Kea Campbell
In a perfect world, you and I could saunter— free.
Breathing fresh, salt-licked air.
Where the ocean reaches for our feet, and the sun melts into the sea, and the sky drapes over its long lost twin.
Where the forest and the sky and the land love humanity dearly, like a neighborhood that could thrive for eternity.
In a perfect world, there would be no bicker of capitalists and environmentalists— merely political empathy.
I dream of boring news channels.
When red, white, and blue don't seem so embarrassing, nor disgraceful to half of the country, and "liberty and justice for all" hugs "all" comfortably.
When the government is wed to candor bound by the promise of life and liberty, and diplomacy relieves, and monopolies fancy consumers' well-being.
......
The Bridge
by Nkwachukwu Ogbuagu
We call her Oma.
She’s a simple, old, haggard wooden bridge
In my neighbourhood,
On the shaved navel of the forest, heavy and solemn,
With the colour of an aged, wizened python,
Spotted here and there and striped there and then.
So ramshackle, but friendly, cosy to the naked feet,
With that royal smell of wood-cellar combined with
The health of ancient wine.
Nothing more . . . .
......
The Wrong Train
by Nkwachukwu Ogbuagu
London fog, harshly early with strained warning,
Looms all over the image of the hectic city
There’s the smell of mists and the taste of
Frozen rain gathered before dawn.
Pulses brake and start,
And lungs are besieged by distilled grime,
Industrial tainting.
I can’t see well beyond five feet ahead of me
As I labour to walk,
But headlamps from crawling cars and buses
......
Annual Hymns
by Nkwachukwu Ogbuagu
Sisters of the grey night,
Assemble on the chest of the hill.
The heavens enjoy seeing your wild gowns billow along
When the winds hiss with humble pride,
And when your restless lips murmur praises
To the Most High —
In elevated voices and strength.
Remember the summons and hasten
Towards the crest of the hill.
Curse the viper’s mouth and spit upon its fangs.
......
fleet-footed good
by Rikske Kessner
And as you walk through these familiar streets,
You notice small details you used to overlook:
The worn-out benches where people rest,
The graffiti that boldly splashes stories;
The fleeting smiles of passing strangers…
Each moment feels so much more precious-
Each breath a gift, not to be taken for granted.
You accept that endings are part of the journey;
......
