A CUP OF HOPE...

A cup of hope I drank,
To swallow the pills of optimism,
Prescribed by the ultimate physician,
My very own Creator, I call Father Lord.

A cup of hope I drank,
To cure me of the despondency,
And despair that filled my soul back then.
And it certainly did cure me,
Though I couldn't say exactly when.

It cured me of the depression,
I'd lived with for so long,
The cup of hope restored my joy,
Restored my passion for life so strong.

A cup of hope I drank from,
And it relit the candle of hope I bear
It now shines real bright amidst despair.
To no other light can it compare.

A cup of hope,
From which I drank my fill,
The Creator offers endless refills.
To all and any who've lost their way,
Amidst the pain and horrors of today.

The Creator calls on all who dare,
To come and sit at His feet and hear.
To hear how much He loves them so,
To hear directly into their very souls.

The cup of hope I drank from,
Is available to all.
There's no need for intermediaries,
No need for them at all.
He will speak directly into your hearts,
as sure as He did mine.
Whether young, old, ugly or fine,
He cares not a jot, cos He's divine.

So come one, come all, come every one,
Drink from this glorious cup of hope.
The cup filled with hope that'll lighten your soul,
The cup filled with hope of an unending goal.

God truly desires only good for us all,
He loves us so much, no evil to befall.
He desires our presence, our attention and care,
Then He'll reveal himself as much as we can bear.

Christie Nonyelum Akumabor© 16/12/17

A rainbow in the sky to remind us of His unending love.

THE CHANGES WE SEEK IN NIGERIA, HMMMMM.

Nigerians the changes we so desire start from WITHIN...

We don't have to die, we don't have to fight or divide the nation either forcefully or peacefully. Neither am I talking about a battle or physical fight. We simply need a total change of our bad mindsets.

Lets change the way we think of others, let us judge others by their deeds and character not by their tribe, religion, economic status or political party.

Lets treat all others fairly, from within our immediate families including, in fact ESPECIALLY our domestic servants, let's treat our workers and subordinates at work with respect and dignity.

Let's apply or ATTEMPT to apply justice and fairness in our dealings with all others, ESPECIALLY those we have some degree of power or control over.

Let's think of others AS WELL AS ourselves. Let's care for the least amongst us, the widows, orphans, homeless, disabled, insane and the elderly, individually and as a community..

Nigerians ALL belong to one social group or the other, whether it be Mosque, Church, Fellowship, Village meeting, Old Boys Association, Alumni, Social Society, Miyatti Allah, gbogboee, all join.

Let's focus the attention of whatever groups we belong to, towards helping the needy and underprivileged in our society.

When we ALL or a significant majority of us stop being so selfish, individualistic, greedy, vain, egotistic, UNJUST and callous towards others, ONLY THEN will we produce real leaders who will be just, will care about the nation and it's people and start leading us right.

Until then nothing for us O. No kind of superficial political reforms will ever work until we all change from within for the better.

At least that's what I honestly think, cheers my friend and brother Kelechi Ogbuehi 😀😀

By Christie Nonyelum Akumabor© 11/12/17

LIVE, LAUGH, LOVE AND ENJOY

Live, laugh love and enjoy I say,
It's what's really important in this life today.
Don't worry about your troubles,
Worry can't change a thing.
Ask God to help sort it,
He'll lighten your load, you'll sing.
What you can alter, go ahead and direct,
What you can't, don't bother to reflect.

Live, laugh, love and enjoy my dear friends,
The happiest people live just round the bend.
It's how I lived my life before, without conciousness thought,
But somewhere along the way, I forgot and got fraught.
Dance away all your troubles, laugh away all your fears,
Your old bones may ache later, but who really cares.

So live, laugh, love and enjoy my dears,
Live your life moment to moment,
Forgetting all your cares.
We all have our worries, sometimes real great,
But if we live in the present, true joy we'll create.

Live, laugh, love and enjoy,
It's now my new motto which I do employ.
Life is for living, good things to enjoy,
We must use of our time here to create lives of joy.
There are things we must live with, others to endure,
I thank my Creator, who now makes my heart pure.

By Christie Nonyelum Akumabor © 10/12/17

IT'S WHAT'S INSIDE THAT COUNTS...

We are beautiful because of what we have on the inside,
Not for what we look like on the outside.

True beauty radiates from the inside,
And is clear for most of us to see.
There's no hiding place for an ugly soul.
There's no amount of make up,
That hides a heart that's cruel.

Let our kind words go before us,
Soothing others in their pain.
Let all our actions be good deeds,
Ever present for others gain.

We are not perfect, this I know.
But if we really want to,
The goodness inside of us will grow.

I may forget expensive gifts,
They may get lost amongst the gist.
But this I know will always last,
Love and kindness of moments past.

I've known true love from many a folk,
From family members and others that spoke.
They spoke into my heart at will,
And gave me hope nothing can kill.

So let's all try and be beautiful souls,
It's what our Creator desires to bestow.
We're all born with loads of love inside,
Let that be what we show the world outside.

Because it's what's inside that truly counts,
Nothing else matters, no amount.
The beauty inside is what we radiate,
It drives away all the anger and hate.

In loving memory of a wonderful, beautiful, caring and loving big sister and friend, Mother Theresa as she was fondly known by many. Rest on my sweet sister Tessy Ileka, you deserve your rest as one of the kindest, most loving people I've ever been blessed to know.

By Christie Nonyelum Akumabor© 08/12/17

TO THINE OWN SELF BE TRUE, GOD MADE NO DUPLICATES

Our pepo go talk say God no waste Him time come make any photocopy O!!!

So why when our Creator made us all individually DIFFERENT do we try so hard to force ourselves into the ill-fitting secondary moulds society and even our families make for us? E no go ever work sam, sam!!!

No matter how similar the societal or familial mould is to the ORIGINAL ONE used by your Creator it is not the same! And our vain attempts at fitting into this false societal or familial mould is what I believe is the cause of so many blighted lives and destinies today...

And the societies which do the most active cohesion to get everyone to fit in the same mould tend to be the MOST BACKWARDS in terms of development.

Because they sadly only succeed in curbing people's natural ingenuity, in aborting their talents, in stopping their creative drive!!!

So that bright child who was meant to discover and invent the lightbulb or nuclear fission NEVER does so, because his parents wanted him to be a doctor just like their neighbours son. Even though he clearly showed an extraordinary aptitude for maths and science...

We are meant to GUIDE our children and wards not FORCE them into our own preconceived but ill-fitting moulds. Often done to satisfy our own thwarted ambitions.

We Nigerians have a society with lots of square pegs in round holes. Just one of the many reasons why as a nation we have been running around like a headless chicken since independence!!!

It may be too late for some of us to alter our career choices, but it's not too late for our kids. Though this restrictive practice extends beyond choice of career to even choice of life partner sometimes! Na there serious yawa fit gas if because of parental, familial or even peer pressure one choses a fundamentally incompatible partner. And sadly this does happen as well.

Anyway that's my thought for the day, enjoy your weekend cos I sure am gonna enjoy mine, ciao.

By Christie Nonyelum Akumabor © 30/11/12

When we are true to ourselves we then flourish like this sunflower...

FOOD GLORIOUS NAIJA FOOD!!!

Food, glorious food,
Food, glorious Naija food.
No food as sweet as my Mama's own.
No food can ever try take it's place.

No matter how long in England I live,
No matter how much steak and chips I eat,
The taste of Nsala will always bring,
A smile to my lips and my soul will sing.

The thought of Ogbono will warm my heart,
Nothing can compare to Banga and starch.
While Jollof rice and dodo are number one,
With stewed beef, fried fish, goat meat we're undone.

Though an English breakfast is quite a treat,
Akara and akamu can well compete.
Soft sweet boiled yam and egg sauce are really great,
Roast plantain with palm oil will also sate.

Though my taste buds are eclectic l still prefer,
The sight, smell and taste of my own home fare.
I know l love chocolate cake and ice cream,
But I love my mum's food more than anything.

Only we know the truth about pepper soup,
Suya, Edikaikong and yam fufu.
Ukodo, Ewa-agoyin and Ewedu,
Kilishi, Egusi, Fura de nunu.
Afang and Abacha belong there too,
With Ukpoka, stewed snails and Isi-ewu.

We've made puff-puff and chin- chin our own sweet treats,
So I think we Nigerians are quite replete.
We have so much food from our different tribes,
We're blessed with a diet that's quite untried.

Outsiders do not know what they're missing,
But we Naija's sure know what we're eating.
So my dear friends I ask now have you eaten?
If not, bia lier nni, come and join in 😀

By Christie Nonyelum Akumabor© 10/11/17

Jollof rice, stewed meat and dodo

Pounded yam and egusi soup a national dish

Fresh fish pepper soup

My delicious chocolate cake and ice cream

Achara soup from Southeastern Nigeria

Ankara and Akamu for breakfast

Delicious Okro soup

White and yellow yam with Owo and snails

Pounded yam and Ofe Nsala, my favourite

CELEBRATING THE GIRL CHILD...

My ode to the girl child,
To mother's little helpers everywhere.
To the hewers of wood and the fetchers of water,
From streams far off, for the entire family.

The girl child often uncelebrated,
Their labour of love, sometimes forced often goes unnoticed, unrewarded.
They are taught to undertake all household chores willingly,
Whilst their brothers are encouraged to frolic and play freely.
I celebrate you today, the world celebrates you.

The girl child, often taught from infancy to be SILENT.
Taught to keep all her thoughts and ideas in her head,
Because they are not considered worth much.
Thus denying the world 50% of the creativity, passion and ideas,
Which our almighty Creator imbued in one half of His human creations.
What a pity, such a sad sad pity
I thank God I was not so stifled by my parents or teachers, I really thank God.

The girl child, often denied an education in our parts,
By poverty, ignorance, culture, religion and early marriage.
The girl child, in some places aborted before birth,
In other places they're abandoned in orphanages in their thousands,
Sent into domestic servitude in yet other places,
Some are sadly sold into sexual slavery in other horrific places.

But it's not all doom and gloom for the girl child, for our lovely daughters.
Education both formal and societal is taking place.
More families are treating their daughters as they should.
Many see their daughters as the treasures they truly are.
As great blessings given from above.

So let's all come together to celebrate the girl child today.
Let's recognise her challenges, her strengths, her gifts
And do whatever is in our power to make her lot better in the future,
Especially the poorest and the most disadvantaged.

Dedicated to all our lovely daughters who are still children,
And to the families who love and truly cherish them.

By Christie Nonyelum Akumabor © 11/10/17

Simply curious about the world

Eager to explore the world

With my little brother

My pretty little nieces

Beautiful Tiv girls in their lovely attire

My ten year old self

Girls from the Abrore tribe of Ethiopia

At eighteen I thought I knew it all 

WORDS! WORDS!! WORDS!!!

With words the world was spoken into being we've been told,
And we have the power of creation with our words if we're bold.
I didn't understand this at first, I didn't really believe,
But now with more understanding I gladly do receive.

With our words we can build up or tear down,
With our words we can turn a smile into a frown.
With warm words we can comfort and care,
With harsh ones we can wound beyond repair.
Words are powerful, words have weight,
So let's not use them carelessly or in haste.

Words are oft an artist's only tools,
So shouldn't be squandered as if we're all fools.
Our musicians sing melodious words,
While authors write many interesting words.
The poet rhymes his inspired words,
The dancer moves in tune to sung words.
The playwright brings his plots into reality with words,
Filmmakers creates entertainment from stories and words.

We use words all the time, everyday
Positively and negatively by what we all say.
We use them with our spouses and children to correct,
With our neighbors, friends and colleagues to direct.
Let's then recognise the power we have in us to create,
Let us restrain the power to tear down and break.

Words, words, words, precious words...
Let's realise that we use most of our words on ourselves.
Words do play constantly in our minds, in our inner selves.
And like spoken words they can be positive or negative,
Once conceived our words become our closest relative.
Thus while words can convince us to succeed at our tasks,
Our inner words can condemn us to failure before we even ask...

So let us be more mindful of whatever we say,
To others and more importantly ourselves today.
Let us encourage, cheer and exhort as we plan,
Let our inner mantra be, Yes I can, Yes we can...
Let's not stifle our dreams with nay-saying words,
Nor stifle the dreams of others, instead let's applaud.

Because from dreams come ideas, designs and plans,
Which when put into action become the work of our hands.
And thus we create like the Creator himself,
Just as He designed us, reflection of self.

By Christie Nonyelum Akumabor © 29/11/17

Just a small selection of my book collection

Enjoying one of my favourite pastimes.

And I sat down and stared

And I sat down and stared,
Tired! Tired!! Tired!!!
Tired of struggling,
Against the throes of depression.
Tired of trying to climb out,
Out of the deep black pit of despair,
That my affliction had tossed me into...

As I sat down and stared,
I could see no way out!
I had no great hope for the future,
The only small glimmer of hope I had,
Came from knowing I had been down in the pits before,
And with God's help had been able to climb out.
He'd sent friends, relatives, therapists,
And even strangers into the pit for me.

So as I sat down and stared,
God reached to me with words.
Spoken by friends and mentors,
Sometimes just anonymous words,
Through irreverent TV programmes.
The final words that spoke to me,
Came from an unusual source.
Recorded words of a friend's wife,
Whom I'd never met, not once .

So as I sat down and stared,
Forlorn and alone in my pit.
For the longest ever period,
That I'd ever thought to sit.
God reached down inside for me,
Lifting me out with words of hope,
That sprang so sweetly from the heart, Of one so kind, so brave and smart.

She shared so honestly with us,
All her own struggles and her cares,
And how she overcame them,
About her triumphs and her fears.
Hope was then born in me anew,
From whence it came He alone knew.

So as I sat down and stared,
I threw off my old fears.
I stood up and reached out,
And managed a big shout.
Then the world heard my cries,
And some reached down inside.
They said they'd always been just there,
I couldn't hear or see them though,
Cos I'd been deadened by despair.

So as I had sat down and stared,
Unseeing and unprepared.
The Lord was still working on me,
I knew not how, but He had the key.
The key to my freedom,
The chains to unlock.
My mind is free to roam again,
My thoughts no longer blocked.
Hope springs anew in my heart again,
I live, love, sing and engage my brain.

And for this I'm ever so thankful Lord.

By Christie Nonyelum Akumabor © 03/12/17

My mind is no longer clogged and I thank God