Educational

Father Bonki stood from the sedilia, made a simple bow to the exalted crucifix behind the table- like altar as he passed, then hoisted himself on the wooden pulpit, to address the congregation and the new converts in particular who were seated on the new pews. That was after Pa Luke Okpara, the parish catechist, chanted the latin version of the I Believe In One God, Credo In Unum Deum. He recited and the church followed, those who had learnt to recite the prayers in latin. Pa Luke had emphasized several times the need for all to learn the common christian prayers in the church's official language, since Father Bonki Giordano could not speak our usual Igbo language. During the renewal of the baptismal promises, he read from the green booklet placed on the Roman missal, the type Most Reverend Johnmary Uzuoma read from, the Sunday he came for the dedication of St. Maria Gorreti's parish at Nkpagu. "Do you reject Satan?," his voice hollered. Cati, as we called the septuag...

 Diary of An Abused Child  "Why do you have to do that? Never you repeat again!" Are these words not enough to caution a child in her misdeeds? Or even with a streak of scars-free strokes? You took hold of a rod, the very rough end, smearing her soft skin and letting it bleed like blood were water.  You left her in pain, her voice lingered as she yelped. She wished Mama could come comfort her but unfortunately she had gone "little girl your mama was dusted into the earth long ago." You acknowledge human fallibility only when it comes knocking on your door. When faulted you give silly excuses, hey! Man do justice for once. She is not yours, I know but be fair with her sometimes. Why being splenetically spiteful about her shtick? Do not be the spitting image of Dracula. I scold you because of that I saw on her solo book. You wonder how she got them registered right?  It is with the remains of her pieces she made the journal. Her blood inscribed the ineffaceable words ...

 SUNSET IN NOONTIDE -Tears in Owo The cloud has turned dark on man,  The earth is still as the wind has ceased. Rain has failed to touch the earth, The sun has set in a clear noonday. Tears oozing down the eyes of the unseen, Indeed nature is pained by what men have done. Console the heart that lost mum and dad, Console the heart that lost wife and children, Console the heart that lost husband and siblings, Console every heart, comfort, please condole! It all happened before the maker of heaven and earth,  In the dwelling place of the placer of man on earth. With force his temple was tempered on earth. With blood flowing through the altar down to earth, A walk on earth turned a return to mother earth. A dance to the sanctuary turned a cry to the mortuary, When the clap of praise turned a beckon for pity, The song of thanks turned a cry for sympathy, All to the ears of them who showed no empathy. Our help is in your name O Lord  For we've got no other place to seek re...

 APPARENTLY NOT THE THEN WORLD... Darkness on our earth, in a limpid noontide. Old nick and fiends on our very own world. Omission and excuses a new way of living, No distinction between right and wrong. Is the our real world or that of nightmare ? In a deep night of a thousand dream, Hope are lost to the raspy scream of night angels. Scary! What a casted spell upon the just. Evil and the doers flitting around, Like Angels of peace wanting to descend. Say your prayers, before you sleep, son, For never can tell who the next is. Crazy! Is this the same world my fathers lived in ? It's patently not, cos a different story was told. Life and moral were held sacrosanct, With Justice and equity their modus operandi. Here we are with a misplaced priority, Prejudice and racism tearing us apart, Sentiments and criticism fencing us apart, With no love or care to bound us together. Wake me up from my deep slumber, Let me count, as the days are numbered Cos soon!, It will be remembered.   ...

 TO YOU, MANY MORE YEARS... My quill frolics on my right hand, The almanac falls off the right angle, The clock tick tock on my right ear, The sun gyrating in its best wear. A reminder it is to my own ears. A distinct day has come again, after a long walk round the sun. Clothings and shoes are of man,  how hard it is, to get them on your body. Jewelries and gems are of man,  How difficult it is, to have them on your neck. Good health and life, free gift from Jah, Not even a dime is paid for it. Nature is blessed and kind to us, a good reason to give thanks to the creator. My pen is hurt, bleeding incessantly. My paper is wet, soaked in ink. Wishes and desire flaming my heart, Let me get them on a note, for the day has come, like no other. From my ink reads... Happy birthday to you my dear, A new day it is, for you and you alone. From my note reads... Many more years to you, A new year it is, for limits breaking. In the heart of a poet, lies treasures,  With good wish...

 LOVE FOR ALL You read the letter, But not the meaning  How then do you get to know the meaning ? Feed not your mind  With lustful thoughts, Love we unfurl is love we show. To the poor, you show love. To the needy, you lend help. Go read again with meaning. Love we celebrate is love for all. Do you wish to personalize yours, Then never expect it from others. You are served in the salver you served. Love we celebrate is love for all. You wish to get loved then desire to show love, No to your very own but to every one. Change the weather let's feel the season. Let the bliss blow like breeze. POET: © CHUKWUNNABUIKEM UGOCHUKWU 13/02/22