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
2026
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
NACH DEM STURM
Das Herz ist leer gefegt worden Eine Straße nach einem Sturm Abuja riecht nach frischem Regen Öffnet sich nackt mit stiller Charme Und erinnert mich an etwas, das nie war, sich aber so anfühlt, als wäre es gewesen Und jetzt, wo es vorbei ist, wird mir klar Alles ernst zu nehmen, was ich einst gelesen. Che Chidi Chukwumerije Poems from the inner river
THE DULL ACHE
It is a healed wound Or healing While it yet crooned I was feeling You did your worst To my inner child Eligwe did burst Sanctuary defiled. Che Chidi Chukwumerije Poems from the inner river
Che Chidi Chukwumerije 