Dear WOMAN: An Ode to Womanhood (by Ebenezer Akinrinade)

Dear Woman,

Your beauty, your radiance,

Your strength, your sweetness,

The totality of your being,

All that is embodied in your feminity

Speaks of GOD's infinite creativity.

You are more than you know.

You are perfect, you are whole.

Dear Woman,

You are the builder, the nurturer,

Daughter, sister, wife and mother.

Without you, there is no completeness.

You are a lover, carer, shaper and moulder.

Every fibre with which you are wired

Is a miracle — you are a wonder!

You carry yourself with grace,

Unshamed by failures and pains.

You trump mountains on your way

Wearing your scars like medals.

You are unbothered by naysayers

Their words makes you stronger.

Dear Woman,

There is healing in your touch

There is power in your words.

You are water.

You are fire.

Authored by: 

Ebenezer O. AKINRINADE

ebenezer.akinrinade@gmail.com

© March 8th, 2023

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Written in commemoration of International Women's Day (IWD) which is annually celebrated on March 8th.

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TIME OF AWAKENING

Above this tent of green

A blue sky lay overhead

With trees hanging all around

Dancing from side to side

The kisses by the wind

Made every tree to sing

Oh, what a melody!

Sweet sounding symphony

A taste of grandeur

From tree rustling

Sea rumbling

Birds chirping

Wolves howling

And wind hovering

Oh, what a melody!

A melody like no other

Just like heaven's ochestras

Playing with harps and cymbals

Trumpets and drums of thunder

Such a rare symphony

Oh, such a melody!

The sound of awakening

The rise of earth angel

The time of gathering

And homecoming.

Written by:

Ebenezer O. Akinrinade

(Writer & Poet)

[Image by: *Tanium Images* (Canada based partner of EAphotoMedia)]

NEVER STRONG ENOUGH by Ebenezer Akinrinade

This truth I know...

That I am whole

That I am complete

That all I need is in me.

I also know...

That I am human

That I have weakness

That I cannot do all things.

And then I know...

That I am not helpless

That I can rely on good friends,

And on GOD, my ever present help.

Authored by:

Ebenezer O. Akinrinade

[Photographer |Writer |Social Worker]

Call/WhatsApp: 2348027701092

Tweet me: @gent2smile

*** *** *** *** ***

Quotes

*** *** *** *** ***

"You are never strong enough that you don't need help." ~ Sandeep Dhawan

"When I am afraid, I put my trust in you [GOD]." ~ Ps. 56 : 3

A BUNDLE OF WOMAN

I wish women everywhere will know who they truly are
The woman is a mixture of soft and hard
Made from bone; to be treated as foam
Hard enough to handle difficult situations
Soft enough to soothe and heal any broken entity

A bundle of surprises she is
Can easily multitask
A brain as good as a man’s
But doesn’t necessarily need to be used as a man’s
‘cause she has the support of her heart

I believe so much in the power of a woman’s mind
The ability to work with both head and heart
Seeing and sensing what some can’t even imagine
Imaginations, ideas, creativity; are a common place for her

Her strength is boundless
Her love is timeless
Her scope is limitless
Can achieve more with less stress

The perfect prescription for a man to have success
Any real man wouldn’t watch his woman lie idle
‘cause real men know that every woman is an army
A bundle of nerves and ideas and thoughts and know hows
Reaching depths that are strange to the lay man

Tap tap dear woman
Wake up to the needy cry of the world
That’s out there and around you, waiting for your touch
Hoping and praying that maybe today
You’ll respond to her cry of dismay

You have all you need within you
Your head, your heart and your God
Enough motivation to play the golf
That will reach out to different ends of the world
Starting with the world headquarter called your mind

Stand up, build up and charge up
There’s more to you than make up
You’re not just a woman
You’re a bundle of all the world needs
To make it a better place
I’m glad to be a woman!

Photo Source: Profile Picture Album (facebook)

Written by:
Patricia Emeza (TRISHA)
Blogger, YOU CAN

Between The Movement And The Monument - by Johnson Abbaly

I didnt do anything wrong...
I just...continued, as always...
I woke up to realise phones not ringing,
No new shows,
No cheques in the mail.
Almost as though I ceased to be...
Old clients...aint returning,
New ones...aint coming.
Then it dawned...
My yesterday's advantage...
Has been depleted by today's trend...
And I had failed to evolve.
People are attracted to the movement,
Not the monument!

#InnerRhythms

Written by:
Johnson Abbaly
[Author| Leadership Expert| Consultant]
Follow @JohnsonAbbaly on Twitter

THIS LAND NIGERIA

This land Nigeria
Blessed with rich arts and culture
Her men are handsome, strong and industrious
Her women, beautiful and endowed with natures essence
They are the desire of king's all over the world.

This land Nigeria
Favored with great human potentials and natural resources
Yet, its people wallow in penury because of visionless leadership of some of our leaders.

This land Nigeria,
A land where the good people suffer and the bad ones enjoy good
A land where terrorism and corruption stagnates progress
A nation in dire need of peace and betterment.

This land Nigeria,
You can only get better
When your people practice absolute love and honesty
You will regain your glory when your citizens - leaders and led, renew their minds to love God and humanity.

This land Nigeria,
You are the envy of many nations of the world
Because you are loaded with goodies more than the milk and honey in canaanland.

This land Nigeria,
You are the giant of Africa
And must rise up and take your place in the league of nations.

This land Nigeria,
There's no land like you
I am proud to be your citizen
And I will always make you proud.

Written by:
Ifeanyi Enoch Onuoha
[Poet | Author | Editor]

FB - Ifeanyi Enoch Onuoha
Tweet @ifeanyienocho
Instagram - @ienocho
BBM: 53443863

Ifeanyi is an illustrious Nigeria making a positive difference. His life's goal is to help individuals and organizations better their best. He is a leader at Hinovelty, published author of life-enriching books, pioneer and co-editor of "THE PHENOMENAL WOMAN ANTHOLOGY: Collection of Poems in Honour of Dr. Maya Angelou."

THE DAY I SHOT JESUS by Seun Akisanmi

"10 MINUTES TO OUR FINAL DESTINATION." The Captain's voice made me a little  nervous. I had boarded the underground oceanic train that ran across the New Atlantic Ocean. The sight was unbelievable. Who would have thought that an underground train from New York to Israel via the ocean will be feasible. The year was 2137 and I had been commissioned to provide portraits of His Royal Majesty, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, Jesus Christ.

He had seen a portrait I did for prophet Jeremiah & Adam in the year 2136 and had been intrigued. He decided he was due for another session. The last time He had a photo shoot was in 2092 in Israel. I would be the 3rd human being (1st African) to give His Royal Majesty a session. How would I go about it. I wondered what specifically intrigued him about Jeremiah and Adam's pictures. What a honour indeed it would be to carve a portrait for the one that created my being. Almost as if he could hear my thoughts, he interrupted: PEACE. Suddenly I  had this overwhelming peace and confidence that this was indeed one of the reasons he had created me.....for such a session. It would be a session after which the world would see another side of Jesus that they had not seen. More importantly, this would be the first portrait that would be taken by a man and exhibited in the Lord's Temple in Heaven. What a privilege.

We passed Jerusalem Institute of Technology and I realized I had just 2 more minutes to the underground train's final destination. I took a last glance at the last portrait that Jesus took. Though blind & crippled in his pre-rapture life, Sou was able to get a portrait of Jesus laughing his heart out. You could see from the picture that the photographer had really said or done something that made the King of Earth burst out in laughter while simultaneously using his hands to cover his eyes. I looked at the scar on His hand. He didn't have to go to the Cross but I'm glad he did. The picture had gone viral and was still considered the most downloaded "real" picture of Jesus in Human history. Who would have thought Jesus could laugh like that.

I turned to my assistant, Folu, and asked if all was good to go. He replied in the affirmative. He confirmed that the makeup artist had arrived at the New Gate Hotel in Jerusalem. Considered the headquarters of the world, Jerusalem had blossomed (in all spheres) in the last few decades as a result of the physical presence of Jesus.

I took another glimpse of my camera before getting off the train. I had just purchased the new SILT K5 which came with a whopping 2.16 zettapixels image sensor. A picture taken with this baby will result in over 2 billion trillion pixels if I take time to count. That should be enough to document the session. I felt fulfilled knowing that the camera's first assignment would be to snap the creator of the universe. I smiled.

"Phone call for you sir," Folu interrupted. It was the makeup artist. She was wondering why we are yet to get to the hotel. "Don't worry Ofure, we'll be there in 6 minutes." I dropped the call and hurriedly boarded the.....

To be continued....

Authored by:
Seun Akisanmi
Poet | Photographer
Tweet @SeunAkisanmi

PESSIMISM (by James Bekenawei)

Pessimism nauseates me
It churns the linings of my stomach
It generates a morbid feeling
It weakens my bones
And dampen my hopes.

Pessimism gives me obscure vision
It overestimates my fears
And underestimates my strength
It makes me weak
Sap off all my faith
And leaves me naked and cold

Pessimism nauseates me
It emanates a fever not existing
It births visions of events not happening
It steals the joy of each day
And paints my world in dark colors

Pessimism nauseates me
It weakens my resolve
It soils my inner beauty
It envisions the worse
the world is bleak already
why make it bleaker?

Written by:
James Bekenawei
Follow and Tweet @bekexjj

TIME HAS CHANGED

Our dear little girl

Is now a teen

Or a lady, I should say.

To her sibling,

She's one of many blessings.

To the world,

She's one of many rare gift.

She's a fine poet

Skillful at weaving words like cotton

Molding and shaping them into pattern.

Our little girl is longer timid

She now speak of many wise things

Bringing strong men to their knees,

Making the ignorant sit to think,

And the heavens rise to their feet.

Indeed, you're a blessing and a gift.

Time has changed, and so have you.

(Dedicated to @OluKemsola on her birthday)

Written & Authored by:
Ebenezer O. Akinrinade (CYFI Fellow '12)

|Social Worker |Poet |Editor |Social Media Strategist |Youth & Child Advocate

+2348027701092
ebenezer.akinrinade@gmail.com

FB: Ebenezer OlaSunkanmi Akinrinade
Twitter: @gent2smile

Copyright © 2014.

No part of this article should be edited without the written permission of the author. You are only allowed to share and / or rebroadcast the article as it is. Thank you.

PACKAGE DELIVERED

The limits unbroken
The boundaries unsurpassed
The weeping that endured
The unending trials
Right here, they end.

Your sunlight
Upon the sky, risen
Your dark clouds,
Beneath the sky, hidden
Can you see it?

All things bright
All things beautiful
The joyous
The wondrous
The miraculous

Your desires
Your prayers
Your wishes
Here they are
Packaged in April
Delivered to you.

May this month, April
With all its newness
Lead you, not to peril
But in the path of greatness!

Welcome to April.

Written & Authored by:
Ebenezer O. Akinrinade (CYFI Fellow)
|Social Worker | Poet | Editor | Social Media Strategist |

+2348027701092
gent2poetry@gmail.com
ebenezer.akinrinade@gmail.com

FB: Ebenezer OlaSunkanmi Akinrinade
Twitter: @gent2smile

Copyright © 2014.

No part of this article should be edited without the written permission of the author. You are only allowed to share and/or rebroadcast the article as it is. Thank you!

DETERMINED TO DREAM

Last night,

Unlike every other night

When men were fast asleep

I lay in bed awaken

Thinking, sighing and staring

I watched the clock, ticking

Heard its sound, clicking

A rat in the kitchen, running

All I wanted was a dream

But how...

With eyes and brain awaken

Would I get a chance to dream?

It was 12:18am last time I checked

Now the time is 5:34am, still counting

The road is coming back to live

I can tell...

Sound from car engines, zooming

Voices from the neighborhood, echoing

Yes, I know...

Some are still in bed, slumbering

I am in mine too, but still expecting

And endlessly waiting...

Thinking, sighing and staring at nothing

Wishing, that I can start dreaming

I'll be grateful for an hour or two

I just want a picture of my own dream

So I can rise like the morning sun

Full of life, vigor and strength

Empowered to live out my dreams

To turn imaginations to realities

Problems to possibilities.

Here in my bed, I'll stay unrelenting

Expecting, praying and waiting...

Until the Angel brings my portion

Either a dream, a vision or revelation.

Written & Authored by:
Ebenezer O. Akinrinade (CYFI Fellow)

|Social Worker | Poet | Editor | Social Media Strategist | Youth & Child Advocate

+2348027701092
gent2poetry@gmail.com
ebenezer.akinrinade@gmail.com
FB: Ebenezer OlaSunkanmi Akinrinade
Twitter: @gent2smile

Copyright © 2014.

No part of this article should be edited without the written permission of the author. You are only allowed to share and/or rebroadcast the article as it is. Thank you!

The Cost of Happiness

If happiness is a thing money can buy,
Only the rich will have a cause to smile.

If happiness were sold for a price,
Maybe all I'ld have is sorrow and frown.

If happiness were a seed sown on one man's land,
Of course, many would have been starved to death by now

But happiness is a gift bestowed on me from above,
Like the rain, sunshine and the breath I breathe.

Happiness is a miracle that begins with a giggle, a smile, or a laughter
It ignites my soul, lightens my heart and brightens my face.

Happiness is a seed I have found aplenty in me,
It has grown wider than the oaks and higher than the palms.

This happy tree has more fruit than I alone can eat
Little wonder I share joy, love, and smiles with every passersby.

Happiness has taken hold of me.
And I am happiness personified.

*******
Happy #InternationalDayOfHappiness
*******

Written & Authored by:
Ebenezer O. Akinrinade (CYFI Fellow)

|Social Worker | Poet | Editor | Social Media Strategist |
+2348027701092

Facebook: Ebenezer OlaSunkanmi Akinrinade
Twitter: @gent2smile

Copyright © 2014.

No part of this article should be edited without the written permission of the author. You are only allowed to share and/or rebroadcast the article as it is. Thank you!

GIVE ME SOME RAIN

GIVE ME SOME RAIN

"I once hated heavy rains and scorhing sun.
Unaware of the pains of those who had never felt the rain nor seen the sun.

Now am thankful for the rain when it falls.
I jump in it and chase the wind like a little child free-spirited.

Now am thankful for the sun when it shines.
It brightens up my face  with a smile that inspires every passersby."

Written & Authored by:
Ebenezer O. Akinrinade (CYFI Fellow)

|Social Worker | Poet | Editor | Social Media Strategist |

Follow @gent2smile on twitter

Copyright © 2014.

No part of this article should be edited without the written permission of the author. You are only allowed to share and/or rebroadcast the article as it is. Thank you!

LOVE IS...

LOVE IS...

Love is like the sun after rain--it's bright and harmless;

Like seabreeze by early morning--it's pure and unpolluted;

Like a rock, beaten by storm, rain and scorching sun--it's firm and unshaken;

Like the mystery of God's existence--it's divine and unfathomable.

Like a gift unrestricted to Xmas and Valentine--it's free and inexhaustible.

True love never 'was' nor 'will be' but forever 'is'--always present.

Written & Authored by:
Ebenezer O. Akinrinade (CYFI Fellow)

|Social Worker | Poet | Editor | Social Media Strategist |
Mobile: +2348027701092
Email: gent2poetry@gmail.com; ebenezer.akinrinade@gmail.com
Twitter: @gent2smile

Copyright © 2014.

NIGHT, FEARFUL NIGHT

Lay down your head each night

And let your heart be at rest.

Angels are roundabout your bed

To save you from sleeping to death.

Let your heart be at rest each night

A new day will always dawn for you.

Written & Authored by:
Ebenezer O. Akinrinade (CYFI Fellow)
|Social Worker | Poet | Editor | Social Media Strategist |

+2348027701092
gent2poetry@gmail.com; ebenezer.akinrinade@gmail.com
Twitter Follow @gent2smile



Copyright © 2013.
No part of this article should be edited without the express written permission of the author. You are only allowed to share and/or rebroadcast the article as it is. Thank you!

I AM PERFECT

I am PERFECT;
A creation WITHOUT BLEMISH.

I am PERFECT;
An extension of GOD in HUMAN FLESH.

I am PERFECT;
A mere man SAVED by GRACE and SACRIFICE.

I am PERFECT;
An heaven-bound saint like JESUS of NAZARETH.

I am PERFECT;
See my claims not as a sweet talk or a blaspheme.

I am PERFECT;
Though, my PERFECTION is not of the FLESH

I am PERFECT;
And it is CHRIST in me who brings me to PERFECTION.

Authored by:
Ebenezer O. Akinrinade (CYFI Fellow)
gent2poetry@gmail.com
Twitter: @gent2smile

SIMPLE, BUT CLASSIC (poem)

Simple and classic, she was dressed up in a gown so beautiful

Her golden earrings and wired bracelet were just but a perfect fit

She had no hidden motive to show-off her curves or entice the feasting eyes

Nevertheless, her graceful countenance and fluffy natural hair made her the center of attraction

Even her lips were shaped with smiles, and her white teeth shined so brightly in between

Hastily and hurriedly, the lustful eyes began to gazed and strategize

Excitedly they thought she was a game, but sadly they all hunted to no avail

Then they realized that this rare specie was not a meat on sale

Awhile sitted around the corner, I looked upon her with a poetic eyes and saw a rose flower

So gently and patiently I waited like a gardener for this flower to find its owner

I waited and waited, until that perfect moment she came my way and rested on my shoulder

Finally I found a queen and I knew my waiting was not in vain

And until now, I doubt if ever I will see a maiden adorned in such beauty and simplicity like her again.

Authored by:
Ebenezer O. Akinrinade (CYFI Fellow)
+2348027701092
gent2poetry@gmail.com

[Gent2smile ©2013]

NOTE: You are free to share/rebroadcast but not allowed to edit the poem or remove the authors details.

HIDE and SEEK (poem)

A mild and gentle wind from the ocean’s deep
hovered around me like a sweet lover’s embrace…
And above my head I caught a glimpse of the
harmless Sunday sun hiding away its charming smiles.

The innocent sun, like an introverted child with
no courage, could not gaze into my face…
But it giggled at me from behind the crispy blue
lining clouds from a thousand miles.

Oh, I thought the sun was shy and so
ashamed to whisper my name…
But no, the sun was calling me to come
play the hide-and-seek game.

Written & Authored:
Ebenezer O. Akinrinade (CYFI Fellow)
+2348027701092
gent2poetry@gmail.com
http://gent2smile.blogspot.com

AFRICA EMERGE: Rediscovering The Wealthiest Continent

The rebirth of Africa is now very nigh;
A nation with new breed without greed approaches.
Did you not see it?

Of course, mockers would make jest
And misconstrue this bestowed vision for an illusion.
Did you not already know it?

Many more will come to condemn that we are yet young and frail;
A nation of unschooled, poor and war-torn-apart people.
Have you not heard it before?

But what does it matter whether anyone believe or not?
Let the mockers mock and the doubters doubt
And speak as though Africa is forever doomed.

Our gaze is fixed on this new Africa whose strength is not in numbers
And whose wealth is not dependent on minerals
But rather, in her culture, language and people.

Though there be no food to go round for those who are hungry
And water for those who are thirsty
Yet, we shall stand undivided.

Though our roofs be buried under many floods of waters
And our children be casted into the streets
Yet, like a rock, we shall remain unshaken.

For when this old Africa gives way to the new
Her dreams, both stolen and lost, shall be restored.
And her voice no longer shall cry in despair.

Her goodness shall be brought forth from obscurity into limelight
And her people shall regain their pride...
A nation without shame or reproach.

A few men may betray us as we forge ahead
But I have sworn never to derail
Until the new Africa emerges.

Authored by:
Ebenezer Akinrinade (CYFI Fellow)
+2348027701092
gent2poetry@gmail.com
Twitter: @gent2smile
Blog: Use Your Mind
(June 1st, 2013; 7:31am)

In Search Of Me

"Nothing is found except it is hidden.
Nothing is hidden except it is a treasure."

In me is a talent waiting to be discovered;
The very gift that makes me priceless.

In me is a voice waiting to be heard,
Food for those whose mind hunger for knowledge.

My little light is waiting to shine bright
Upon a world clouded with darkness and confusion.

I am on a journey in search of me
On a quest to know the essence for my being.

The search will never end until there's no more hidden place.
The digging continues until the depth is within reach.

With these eyes I shall look beyond the obvious.
And with my ears listen beyond what is spoken.

Though the road is unknown yet I will venture
Better to die searching than to retreat and live a lie.

My instinct and inner light shall guide me
My faith and hope shall sustain me

Until the hidden me is revealed for the world to see
I will never give up on this search for the priceless me.

Written & Authored by:
Ebenezer O. Akinrinade (CYFI Fellow)
08027701092
gent2poetry@gmail.com
Twitter: @gent2smile