Rivers Of Blood…

June 30, 2018June 30, 2018 jacquelineobyikocha4 Comments

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.

Bullet Points…

June 20, 2018 jacquelineobyikocha6 Comments

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.

(John Moore/Getty Images)

Poetry/Poems · Social critic · Social Issues

Naive…

June 18, 2018 jacquelineobyikocha3 Comments

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

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…

June 6, 2018June 6, 2018 jacquelineobyikocha5 Comments

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.

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.

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

Social critic · Social Issues · Societal Issues

One shot, Two shots…

March 22, 2018March 22, 2018 jacquelineobyikocha4 Comments

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!

February 16, 2018February 16, 2018 jacquelineobyikocha11 Comments

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…

February 3, 2018February 3, 2018 jacquelineobyikocha19 Comments

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!

November 21, 2017 jacquelineobyikocha5 Comments

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.