Gratitude gives joy Brings joy Is joy Find your moment of gratitude today Try a change of attitude, and pray Climb unto a higher altitude. Gratitude is a thing of joy. Che Chidi Chukwumerije Poems from the inner river
Of Virtues
HOW ARE YOU?
How are you? “I’m fine” is how you feel, It is not how you are. So, How ARE you? For real. Are you kind? Are you truthful? Are you vain? Are you boastful? Are you brave? Are you useful? Are you despondent or hopeful? What kind of person are you? Are you dependable in times of danger, or greed? What character type are you? Are you a traitor in times of chance and need? Are you led solely by your intellect? Or do you listen to your intuition? HOW are you? Don’t make-pretend. Your nature is your true condition. Che Chidi Chukwumerije Poems from the inner river
BRAVE THE LINE
Brave spirit, brave the line Between present and future, You’ll be just fine - Braving the new is human nature. Imagine a world turned around Where the servant becomes the master And those who were bound Now run ahead, moving ever faster. A time where crime is shamed And virtue claims the highest rewards And you won’t be blamed For honest mistakes moving forward. This future is yours to imagine Yours to embody, yours to achieve And it starts crystallizing Today with the way you live. Che Chidi Chukwumerije Poems from the inner river
BATTLE FATIGUES
I carry tiredness around with me Like a pouch, like a backpack, From which I draw humility And simplicity As compensation for the strength I lack. Che Chidi Chukwumerije Poems from the inner river
TRUTH IS FOR THE BLIND
Only the blind can speak the truth Caring not where it lands Seeing not where it opens wounds Even in one’s Beloved’s own hands Only the blind can follow the truth Minding not where it leads Seeing not that an abyss sometimes looms For people, like themself, of honest deeds Only the blind can bear the truth Unbothered by its origin Seeing not the size of the mountain it moves Or the people and things it’s crushing Only the blind can see the truth No matter how bright and blinding its light For the truth-loving heart is forever full Of bold and unfailing insight. Che Chidi Chukwumerije Poems from the inner river
GOODNESS FIRST
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
LET THEM INTO YOUR HEART
Kindness to refugees
is salvation for humankind.
Because kindness is the refuge
for our broken humanity,
longing for healing.
Let them in
and into your heart.
– Che Chidi Chukwumerije
SIMPLICITY
It is a complicated road
that brings a mind to simplicity
But it is simple roads
that defy us with their complexity.
– Che Chidi Chukwumerije.
WEAKNESS
The greatest strength
is the strength to look beyond
your own strength
and find in your weakness
strength in other people’s strength.
– Che Chidi Chukwumerije
#poemsthatmakeyouthink
REPUTATION
So quickly fame
Is followed by shame –
Build instead a good name
That knows no blame –
This should be the aim
Of your substance and game –
Solid name, not fickle fame.
Incorruptible Character is the same
As an inextinguishable flame.
You can remake fortune and fame,
It is hard to recast a broken name.
But if you do fall and lose your face
Stand up tall, don’t hide your face
Learn from your mistakes and change your ways
And boldly seek again the sun’s rays.
It takes Character to push on despite pain
But it also takes character to rise again.
– Che Chidi Chukwumerije.
Che Chidi Chukwumerije 