When you whet the dry water wheel
It churns your mind and turns your thoughts
From stone to bread for the unfed
Soul food for those well-bred
With longing, because longing is the art
Of belonging to the wellspring of intuition.

Then you will love the Good
More than you love the hood
More even than you love your blood
For Good alone is of God;
Hood is human, blood is earthly -
Without goodness they are empty.

Goodness above all. Goodness first.
Be good, for it will quench your thirst.

Che Chidi Chukwumerije

Poems from the inner river