Social critic · Social Issues

It’s getting too much…

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Respect. Sometimes, I think this word has become overrated and has led to so much trouble all around the world because people have fragile oversized egos and can’t seem to get over themselves. Some treat this so-called ‘respect’ as a whipping stick and with such people, life would be a nightmare. They tend to forget that respect is earned and reciprocal.

In the past week, I have come across several horrifying posts from different parts of the world (so it’s a global problem) and each one portraying a man un-aliving either his wife or girlfriend for one absurd and often flimsy excuse, simply because he couldn’t control his emotions. It reminds me of the saying that ‘if you can’t control your emotions, your emotions will control you.’

Dear Mister man, what happened to going your separate ways if it’s no longer working? If she’s not respecting you as you would like to be respected, separation, divorce is an option. Nothing gives anybody the right to take another person’s life because they are all in their feelings and can’t get a grip of themselves.

Sadly, these egregious acts are 99.9% of the time perpetrated on women by men because he felt disrespected. They fail to remember that women absorb so much more of their nonsense, forgives them and does not resort to killing anyone. The annoying aspect is that the punishment for these acts is not severe enough to deter repeated acts of grievous bodily harm. See the pathetic sentence given to the 50 men involved in the case of Dominique Pelicot.

As a woman, I know that it’s easier said than done, but please, if you are in a toxic relationship that endangers your life, get out whilst you still have a life to live. Leave to live. Making the mistake to love the wrong person should not be a death sentence.

This is a rant and not my usual type of post! I have so much to say but choose to be civil.

PS. What does respect really mean?

Social critic · Societal Issues

Venting politely.

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If you live in a society where your health care system works, you simply have no idea how that is such a wonderful blessing. I have been opportune to experience different societies and their health services, and I must tell you that some places simply take the piss. In such places, the only way that you can get a decent attention is if you are a money bag who can afford the expensive private hospitals or if you’ve robbed the government coffers – as our darling Nigerian politicians tend to do – thus, can afford the luxury of travelling overseas for medical care; a situation which can easily be enabled within the country if the leaders did the right thing to get the sector running as it should.

How do you explain having to take a biopsy twice with 10 days waiting interval for the results and each time during your scheduled appointment, the hospital comes up with a sorry excuse that the result is not yet ready? In essence, leaving the patient on tenterhooks, stressed and depressed and wasted a month of their valuable time and money. 2 days ago, I had made a post about my dear one who is waiting for her second biopsy result as the 1st result was inconclusive. As if she’s not having a challenging time at present, the hospital which is meant to be a national hospital; with the best consultants and well-equipped with the necessary systems in place, have been dilly-dallying with no cogent reason for their lackadaisical attitude.

Knowing that time is of essence with health-related matters especially if it is a suspected case of the ‘Big C’, I feel so mad about this ineptitude, lack of concern, and failed Nigerian leadership that seeps into every aspect of the society. I truly wonder when such scenarios will become a thing of the past and the Nigerian populace will begin to enjoy the benefits of being citizens of a richly endowed Nation.

It is not a surprise that the level of brain-drain in the sector keeps rising. The system is broken and can be so frustrating. Nigeria has some of the brightest and most hardworking medical personnel globally and they are recruited in large numbers by Western countries, that it seems like it’s quickly becoming a case of raised and trained in Nigeria for foreign use to the detriment of the local populace.

We keep waiting and trusting God.

Poetry/Poems · Social critic

Rivers Of Blood…

Image result for images of Nigeria flag crying

 

Rivers of pain

swim deep in her eyes

each droplet of tear

a raw testimony of anguish

that words fail to capture.

 

Rivers of blood

flow down her tributaries

for every slain soul

a Country torn with genocide

bloodletting too much to comprehend

 

Mountains of prayers

offered up

Chineke, Kabiyesi, Jehovah

forgive us

Mercy we seek, solace we plead.

©

Jacqueline

My home Country Nigeria groans in pain under poor leadership. When evil men occupy spaces where they shouldn’t, strife and anarchy reign supreme. The sufferings and gnashing of teeth of Nigerian indigenes keeps multiplying by the day due to the recycling of avaricious, deeply corrupt, mean-spirited and small-minded old politicians. I pray for the revival of my Nation. I pray for a revolution and restoration.

 

 

 

Poetry/Poems · Social Issues

Bullet Points…

Life is not a powerpoint presentation where everything
is captured and simplified into bullet points.

Children caught in bullet points of achievements
die tragic deaths in lettered words of administration.

© 2018 Jacqueline

(John Moore/Getty Images)
Poetry/Poems · Social critic · Social Issues

Naive…

Image result for government images

she laughs
at the naivety
and the smallness
of their minds

they think that
vampires only walk
and feed
in the dark

in broad daylight
these beautiful monsters
blend seamlessly
into the crowd

© 2018 Jacqueline

We shouldn’t be shocked when government administrations do things that are reprehensible even in the name of God. When the handwriting is on the wall and we choose to close our eyes to the signs, we simply unleash wickedness in high places. When you vote, vote with your conscience. Search your heart for the truth.

Health · Social Issues · Wellness

The Gatecrashers…

As I think of Kate Spade, my mind goes to this poem that I wrote which can be found in my poetry book Unbridled.’ You can read Unbridled for free. 

 

Image result for mental health images

The Gatecrashers

Uninvited, they arrive. I smell them from miles away.

Their radar zeros into the crowd, they steal in to join the happy gang.

Their presence disturbs and stifles, like thieves, they are up to no good.

Planting themselves on both sides like guards, the silent battle of my mind begins.

My other self, the invisible one vacates in a hurry to watch them from the other side

‘Do they know your secrets?’ depression asks in its know-it-all voice.

‘I bet you wouldn’t be the belle of the ball if they knew,’ loneliness opines.

Lips crack a smile, false laughter rings in the room,

intelligent conversation over glasses of wine;

breezy kisses blown into the air of cheek sides,

troubles forgotten maybe till tomorrow or less;

We do know how to throw great parties,

our mannequin faces caked in powder

I count minutes before it’s alright to escape;

With depression and loneliness dogging each step I take,

making such ruckus as we jostle out of the room.

© 2018 Jacqueline

Mental illness and depression is no respecter of persons and knows no boundaries. It is a silent killer and fast becoming an epidemic. An insidious illness that robs the sufferer of so much. We must stop the stigma. There’s nothing to be ashamed of. We must keep talking and keep the channels of listening open. Please take care of yourself and each other.

#RIP Kate #How are you feeling? #It’s okay to ask for help

Mental Health Matters

Social critic · Social Issues · Societal Issues

One shot, Two shots…

firearm, revolver, bullets, gun, shooting

one shot,

two shots,

three shots

… twenty more 

target is down,

and he’s stone cold dead.

 

A life is lost,

a son is gone,

a brother is taken,

a husband is no more,

a father is killed,

a friend is dead

the list goes on…

 

To them,

he’s just another

disposable black man.

His phone,

a weapon

that struck fear

in their hearts.

How is it that a black man can be killed in his own backyard where even his phone is mistaken as a weapon. He’s riddled with enough bullets to take a small army, yet serial killers get taken peacefully, living at the expense of taxpayers and they get to have their day in court?

Poetry/Poems · Social critic · Social Issues

America, you are pathetic!

weapon, gun violence, mass shooting, America, Poetry

Please save your thoughts and prayers
for they no longer count

These empty thoughts and prayers
only exacerbates the mind

Please keep the gun barrels rolling
for they are worth more than children’s lives

Lives you proclaim to value in the womb
yet assaulted for the price of ridiculous guns

⋅⋅

Can you hear the silent cries of little children
hidden in cupboards, under desks and mortified in fear

There’s so much blood flowing freely
leaving stains that no one can ever mop up

Yet you stand on your podiums
and proclaim non-existent freedom and rights

where are the rights of these young ones
who can never go home anymore?

Jacqueline

#Americasomethingishorriblywrong
#Americayouarepathetic

 

Poetry/Poems · Social Issues · The Daily Post

Pots of Unrest…

insects, log, poetry, social critic, politics, immigration

image credit

I am always puzzled
at how some folks
delight in stirring pots of unrest
in the lives of others,
yet, they want to go home
and expect to have peace in their lives. 

In my place, we say that
he who brings in an insect-infested log
has invited lizards for a feast.

The Western world
has benefitted immensely,
from destabilising and destroying Nations.
For Centuries they did and still do this,
but they complain about a handful of immigrants
fleeing the unrest caused by them.

©

Jacqueline

Life · Poetry/Poems · Social Issues

GET OUT ALIVE!

Domestic violence, Abuse, Get Help

when she heard his voice
her heart leapt;
not for the joy of his presence,
but for fear
that his presence brought.

©

Jacqueline

‘Don’t die in silence. Domestic abuse should never be condoned. Get out alive.’

Staggering statistics show the rise in domestic violence. This could be your neighbour, your best friend, your coworker, your sibling, and so on. Don’t ignore it.