Just because it’s available Doesn’t mean you should take it; Just because it’s achievable Doesn’t mean you should make it; Just because it’s vulnerable Doesn’t mean you should break it; Just because it’s uncomfortable Doesn’t mean you should fake it; Just because it’s unshakeable Doesn’t mean you should shake it; Just because it’s accessible Doesn’t mean you should wake it; Just because it’s expendable Doesn’t mean you should stake it; Just because it’s edible Doesn’t mean you should bake it. Some things you just leave as they are. Che Chidi Chukwumerije Poems from the inner river
of Subtle Strokes
LICENCE TO LAUGH
Learn to bear your pain in aloneness, But don’t bear your aloneness in pain. Aloneness should bring relief from stress, Should help you inner peace to attain. Being alone with your sorrow is sad; Share your aloneness instead with your gladness. Seclusion allows the Healing Power of GOD to save you from overstimulation and madness. And you will be born anew in silence, For aloneness is the mother of transformation. And joy shall be your portion and your licence To laugh again, in you a flame of Devotion. Che Chidi Chukwumerije Poems from the inner river
IT’S A HUMAN HEART
It’s winter You’ll have warmer days And you’ll have colder days But they’ll all be cold. It’s a human heart You’ll have clearer days And you’ll have uncertain moments But still, be bold. It’s an Earth life You came to cry And you came to laugh And maybe grow old. The people you love the most Will cause you the most pain And yet they’re the only ones Your heart will want to hold. Che Chidi Chukwumerije Poems from the inner river
THE VAST DISTANCE
The deepest form of intimacy is the sharing of truth. Sex is not the highest form of intimacy - Honesty is. No sleuth can penetrate a false heart of lies. No compass can navigate the vast distance opened up by lies that keeps hearts separate. This distance cannot be closed by vicinity - This distance can only be closed by veracity. Che Chidi Chukwumerije Poems from the inner river
PARTS OF STORIES
The person you think is in your story is also in someone else’s story. Never think a person is exclusively yours, even if they tell you so. It only depends on the form and context, on the depth and scope, and on the intensity and exact nature, of their role in your story and their roles in other people’s stories as well. Just like you are in many people’s stories, so is even the person closest to you maybe even closer still to someone else in that other person’s story. People are interconnected in ways nobody can fathom.
And you can only see your story, but lack complete access into the world of the other person’s story. You only know the character a person plays in your story, but you would be surprised if you ever saw the character that same person plays in another person’s story. Never will you know all the parts of a story, only some – if you are lucky, maybe the relevant ones. Never will you know all the people in a person’s story. And never ever will you know all the stories in which a person features – not even the person closest and dearest to you. Just like only God knows all the stories that you too are a part of.
Che Chidi Chukwumerije
Undulating Plains
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
WITHOUT A TRACE
There was once a person I once knew her for a short while I don’t know what happened to her Or who she became or what lifestyle I have no idea where she is now I never discovered where she went to Or who she mixed herself up with, if any If she still exists, what she’s going through But she made my heart childlike Before she suddenly disappeared Without a trace - I pray to God, Who knows it all, To always be with her wherever she is And give her protection, progress and peace And guide her to a beautiful place Full of flowers, true love, honesty and bliss. Che Chidi Chukwumerije Poems from the inner river
WRONG AND RIGHT
How can something so strong be so wrong? Go so wrong? We don’t belong to our emotions, they belong to us, but our devotions are more accurate and honest, what we long for the strongest. Pain brings so much blessing to every soul that learns its lesson and undergoes transformation, maturation and the realisation that it wasn’t wrong after all, it was a strong and jarring Call to wake up before you fall. Che Chidi Chukwumerije Poems from the inner river
LOVE IS A PRISON
My only Crime was loving you And loving you too much too But If this is a crime I’ve done my time Release me Ease me Out Tell me what it’s all about An outer whisper, an inner shout Free me from insecurity and doubt. Che Chidi Chukwumerije Poems from the inner river
PEOPLE’S SIGNALS
Pay attention to the signals That people give you; Take them seriously - The signals won’t deceive you. No one says everything; They leave it to you To figure it out if you’re smart And paying attention too. And above and beneath it all Your own inner voice Will analyse the signals and more And make its own choice. Che Chidi Chukwumerije Poems from the inner river
Che Chidi Chukwumerije 