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
APRIL
Die Berge sind still
Und dennoch laut –
Du wohnst, April,
Unter meiner Haut –
Alles, was ich will:
Du und ich, vertraut.
Che Chidi Chukwumerije
Im Jahrzehnt der deutschen Dichtung
PARALLEL UNIVERSES
When a person just doesn’t know how to tell you the truth, they simply stick to the lie. From start to finish. Even if they want to tell you the truth, they don’t know how to, they don’t know where to start because the truth runs on a completely different storyline and separate lifestyle, opposite reality and parallel universe. It will hurt you deeply and completely overturn your view of life and of them. Or so the person thinks. But if only they would try you, to see a new person emerge and a new powerful authentic relationship form.
Starting with a lie is always a slippery slope, a rollercoaster ride. It is nervousness and heart palpitations from start to finish. It can be exciting and exhilarating, until it becomes human and personal. Then it becomes a chore, a nightmare, a heavy load, and a puzzling sphinx, a difficult riddle to solve. Tell the truth and shatter the other person’s reality? Or maintain the lie and allow it to eat you inside and gnaw at the other person’s gut instincts, and prevent both of you from ever forming a true bond? And yet, only the truth liberates.
There will be a humanity one day of honest human spirits who live, share and relate in the light of truth always and in all things. Deeply and simply. Inside and out. Individually and as a society. The most fundamental truth we owe ourselves as human beings is the truth of how we really are as a person. This is the basis of all relationships and of society and of a possibility to one day have a reflection of Paradise on Earth. A home away from Home.
Che Chidi Chukwumerije
Undulating Plains
QUIETLY
Is there any hope for me? Good Friday not so good. A deep slumber of mystery, A soul troubled to darkly brood, A distracted mind of matter, But knock knock, knock on wood, Who’s there to lovingly shatter My illusions? For truth is food. Wake me up before you go - Resurrection will upon crucifixion intrude: Resist injustice, rediscover my glow, Because, inside, I’m in a sunny mood. Che Chidi Chukwumerije Poems from the inner river
ALLES AN DIR
Alles schlucke ich runter Nur Dich nicht Alles spucke ich raus Nur Dich nicht Bist Du draußen, bleibst Du dort Bist Du drinnen, bleibst Du hier Fest gewurzelt an Stelle und Ort In meinem Herzen, in unserm Wir. Wenn ich Dich ablehne, bist Du noch da; Wenn ich Dich annehme, bist Du nicht da. Che Chidi Chukwumerije Im Jahrzehnt der deutschen Dichtung
SHOW YOU
Show people who you are So that those who want to go will go And those who want to stay will stay And those who want to come will come And those who want to keep away will keep away. And when they show you who they are You will be hurt by some who go And be pleasantly surprised by some who stay, You will be amazed by some who come And you will not even notice those who keep away. Show people who you are And they will show you who they are. Che Chidi Chukwumerije Poems from the inner river
MISSVERSTÄNDNISSE
Das Leben besteht aus Missverständnissen, Sie sind der Treibstoff tollster Geschichten. Sie sind die Bausteine unserer höchsten Erkenntnisse - Wir sind einander halb begreiflich wie Gedichte. Wer sich noch nie missverstanden haben, werden sich gegenseitig nie wirklich verstehen. Je näher wir uns kommen, desto mehr schlagen unsere Unterschiede aufeinander aus Versehen. Desto mehr sehen wir die Lücken und lernen, uns gegenseitig zu beglücken. Che Chidi Chukwumerije Im Jahrzehnt der deutschen Dichtung
A NEW LIGHT
You appear, a new light, Hesitant yet persistent, Dimmed and yet bright; Curiously observant Because it feels so right. Che Chidi Chukwumerije Poems from the inner river
Che Chidi Chukwumerije 