Living in Harmony

God created all human beings equal.
The life of the child of a groundnut-seller in Lokoja is not less in value than the life of the oil-magnate in Lagos.
Every life is precious and must be respected far above all other considerations.
Life is a gift from God and no life, including yours, is unimportant or expendable.
Muslims, Christians, and even non-believers are all created by the One and Only God by whatever name called.
We are all brothers and sisters, descendants of Abraham also known as Ibrahim.
Live your life and allow others too to live their own lives peacefully as they deem fit within the law of God and Man.
Judge not another on the grounds of morality or convictions for we all see things differently from one another.
We may advise, we may criticise, and we may even admonish each other but we may not pass judgement on another.
Judgement is the prerogative of God.
Obey the law of the land.
This will bring peace and prosperity to you and to others.
When in a position of power and/or authority, be mindful of the fact that it is not by thy might but by grace.
Be graceful in conduct and be gracious in action. Be kind to people even if they are not your kind.
Treat those above you with due respect and respect also those who are beneath you.
Remember very well that every follower today is a leader tomorrow.
Create peace, progress and understanding wherever and whenever you can.
These will bring increment to your life and pour joy into your heart.
Fear God for He is real. In return, your wisdom will increase and you will be honoured among your peers.
Eschew bitterness, arrogance, and anger; for they bring forth nothing but self-destruction.
Trust not in your own wisdom alone but listen to the views of others and learn from both knaves and sages alike.
Always be of good cheer for God is with you.
You are blessed.

Dele Okenla
31st December 2010

Anthology of Forgotten Verses

These are the opening verses of some of the numerous poems I wrote as a teenager.
I hope to publish a full recollection in a book in the near future. Please pardon my prose!
DELE OKENLA

PASSION
For a while I feel I should sing
Of my affections, Love and Hate
While in my mind memory bells still ring
Woeful tales of my affections of late.
That I loved her no crime was
Nor a sin any man should forgive
I risked all and bore the loss
I gave her all a lover could ever give.
Gone forever is love's noble desire
For Cupid had dealt a fatal shot
(circa 1982)

TUTU
Think not my love was vain
Wherefore it died down with such ease
For pure it was and as plain
As any true love could ever be
Remember how in sunshine and in rain
I had besought your affectionate bliss
While the ground my mouth in homage kiss
(circa 1982)

RETROSPECT
I should have died long ago and thus be saved a lot of grief
I am debased even in ego, living a man with no belief
To me even death would be a gift
From earthly sorrows to give a lift
(circa 1983)

REFLECTION
I will give you no more reins my heart
Lest in remembrance of wasted years
You shed a thousand tears of blood
(circa 1984)

CONSTANCE
Your eyes, dearest Constance
Are like stars on a dark night
And by their light
I hope to find true love
(circa 1983)

DEATH OF DAD
Once upon a short time ago
There lived a man not proud in ego
A humble man who lived respected
At whose door none begging was rejected.
Dear father, that you should die so saddens me
Alas that wicked Death is so mean!
(circa 1981)

BISI {Jemishe}
In your beauty I saw delight
Whenever you came like the Night
With Stars, you being the Moon
Or like the Sun at mid-noon
Radiant, brilliant, and elegant
(circa 1984)

STORY
Songs of others I had sung all my life
And now who will sing my own song?
Others stars had shone abright
But my star, will it ever shine alight?
Can I those immortal heights attain,
Whereon Shakespeare once dined with the Muses?
Or can I that purest vision ever behold
And like Milton a peerless Seer become?
(Circa 1984)

(.........to be continued!)