All the things I thought would kill me, Didn’t kill me. But they sure did hurt… They hurt like hell for a long time - But they didn’t kill me. They made me wiser, stronger and sadder; But in the end I’m still me. Che Chidi Chukwumerije Poems from the inner river
Of Journeying
PEOPLE NEVER COME BACK
People never come back They move on to the new you Or to their new perception of you With or without you And you move on to the new them Or to your new perception of them With or without them But the old will never come back. Tomorrow will come. Those who try to cling on to the past Lose their way and orientation very fast Because Time never goes back. Those who meet again do so in the future As different people with a different Nature Because only going forward takes you back Home. Che Chidi Chukwumerije Poems from the inner river
STRANGE WAYFELLOWS
People are already on a path when you meet them, On their own path, with their own mission. You think they’re walking with you, but then Suddenly they jump off at some junction. As strange and disorienting as it seems to you, The truth is that it was not a new decision That they took. They were never really with you, They were always going in their own direction. You were just entertainment along the way Or brief company, and victim of an illusion. Che Chidi Chukwumerije Poems from the Inner river
WOUNDED TERRAIN
I‘m riding on the train And riding through my pain When I’m done if I’m still sane I won’t come this way again. The experience is a strain On my heart and on my brain Riding through wounded terrain Where my trust was slain. Che Chidi Chukwumerije Poems from the inner river
BRIGHTNESS UP AHEAD
There’s brightness up ahead Curiousity and hope instead Of shuddering tears we shed Instead of feet that walking bled And never a word said. But now there’s brightness up Ahead and an overflowing cup And a loaf of laughter for my sup. If you look deeply you’ll see it on my face That my heart was caught by His grace. Che Chidi Chukwumerije Poems from the inner river
SMILING STILL
A heart of gold And you will walk many miles In the biting cold Warmed by memories of smiles May your heart be bold And wise to wade through the wiles And guiles and keep smiling still As you trudge on up Hurting Hill. Che Chidi Chukwumerije Poems from the inner river
LIGHT TRAVEL
Travel light For the road has all you need But pack right - The important things - and Godspeed. Have a good flight. Che Chidi Chukwumerije Poems from the inner river
TIME AND DEEDS
Only happiness can defeat sadness Only honesty to oneself can defeat madness Only goodness can defeat badness Mirroring darkness is not our business Rather for the Light we bear witness And learn gradually to feel forgiveness At a point words become meaningless Whether we speak more or speak less We’ll misunderstand each other nevertheless Only time and deeds and steadfastness Only consistency in human friendliness Only self-control and gentlemanliness Will grant our hearts again to each other access. Che Chidi Chukwumerije Poems from the inner river
DON’T GET LOST IN THE DARK
Don’t get lost in the dark Wait for the mist to clear The emotions never speak the truth They are always informed and biased by feelings You just have to wait for the mist to clear It takes a shorter or longer time to pass Depending on your nature And depending on the circumstances Just don’t get lost in the dark. Azuka Chukwumerije
SWAN SONG
Always remember one thing If it’s true love it can’t move on overnight It has to close its ring Heal its wound, acquire new insight And make the heart a swan-song sing. Che Chidi Chukwumerije Poems from the inner river
Che Chidi Chukwumerije 