They come in with empty stomachs And leave with full hearts - A restaurant is a homestead in public, A social comforter of sorts. A smile tastes as good as wine, And the sound of laughter Will be your lifeline And quench your hunger long after. Che Chidi Chukwumerije Poems from the inner river
ERNEUERUNG
ERNEUERUNG
Ein Geburtstag
Ist auch ein Tag der Erneuerung;
Tief in dem Geist
Regt sich eine alte Erinnerung –
Er erinnert sich daran
Warum er auf die Erde zurück kam
Denn die Uhr tickt jährlich runter –
Geist, werde heller, werde bunter.
Werde geistig wach und munter!
Che Chidi Chukwumerije
Im Jahrzehnt der deutschen Dichtung
FRIENDSHIP FOOD
FRIENDSHIP FOOD
The happiness of your hearts
Is food to my spirit –
God bless your beautiful hearts
And guide your spirits.
Friendship is a beautiful gift that God grants,
But He grants it only to those who are
Brave enough to be honest with each other –
Even closed hearts friendship will make ajar.
Che Chidi Chukwumerije
Poems from the inner river
DIE LAMPE
Die Lampe hängt über mir Wie ein zweiter Kopf; Ein Lichtschein wie ein heller Gedanke Wartend, klopf, klopf. Klopf! Aber mache ich auf? Sie spendet mir Licht Und erhellt mein Innenleben Aber ich sehe sie nicht. Che Chidi Chukwumerije Im Jahrzehnt der deutschen Dichtung
A NEW BEGINNING
A beautiful day, My heart opens in joy and gratitude And begins to pray: Thank You, Lord, for healing, for fortitude, For blessing my way With true friends and a heart of quietude, For sending Your Ray Of warmth into the depth of my solitude. Although I lost my woman I gained new friends and a reopened heart. With pain grows acumen; Life is a journey, Your Word is the Chart. It’s hard to be a true man But every new day is a good day to start. Daily You make me human, moulding through experiences my innermost part. Che Chidi Chukwumerije Poems from the inner river
KURZ DAVOR
Bergwinde, Tragt Ihr das Alte fort? Bergwinde, Kehrt Ihr in mir vor Ort? Ihr singt von Hoffnung, von Zuversicht. Ihr weckt in mir Hoffnung, entfacht neues Licht. Che Chidi Chukwumerije Im Jahrzehnt der deutschen Dichtung
GETTING THERE
Have you known pain More than you ever thought you could bear? You will recover again - When death approaches, immortal life is near. Accepting the inconceivable, Acknowledging the irretrievable, Internalising the unchangeable, Will slowly get you there. Che Chidi Chukwumerije Poems from the inner river
BERGFLÜSTERN
Die Berge reden mit mir Ich schwöre es Flüstern, Raunen, zu mir, in mir, Ich höre es Sie sagen mir Ich soll auf meine Innere Stimme hören Sie sagt mir Daß wir zusammen gehören. Che Chidi Chukwumerije Im Jahrzehnt der deutschen Dichtung
BECOMING CIRCUMSPECT
A year passed by so quickly, like a whirlwind. The most important lesson I have learned: Value people who tell you the truth, for they are rare. Be sparing with your trust. And know that, unfortunately or fortunately, there is always something more to every story you hear. The exceptions to this rule are rare. So, become circumspect, even as you love harder. Because the harder you love, the deeper you go into the heart of truth and deception. The human heart is on earth to grow, and it grows only by intense and authentic experiencing of itself and of other hearts. So, open your heart to everything, but know this: “Everything” includes both the light and the dark, both the dependable and the treacherous, coming both from strangers as well as, even more so, from the people you trust.
Che Chidi Chukwumerije
Undulating Plains
RECALIBRATED
When you‘ve lost What you love the most You have nothing more to lose. When what gives you strength Leaves you Then you have only yourself left to choose. And your God. And seriousness. No more half-bonds. Whatever stays must really be your crew’s. Che Chidi Chukwumerije Poems from the inner river
Che Chidi Chukwumerije 