When they hit The reason why it doesn’t hurt is not because it’s soft but because you’re tough to the core. Laugh the loudest When they hit you the hardest Stand the proudest When you face their mockery test Your strength won’t bring you victory Your strength IS your victory. Che Chidi Chukwumerije Poems from the inner river
Poems
DON’T WAIT FOR PERFECTION
Don’t wait for perfection Before you set off Imperfection is what you need To make you tough! The world is wild and windy The way is very rough For the one who seeks fulfilment This is enough. 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
PERFECTION IS FOR THE COWARDLY
Perfection is for the cowardly Perfection is for the vain Perfection is for the insecure Afraid of the rugged terrain Perfection is for the talentless Unable to handle the unknown Perfection is for the clueless For the lazy follower, the drone Give me imperfection at dawn The origin of the day and the way Give me imperfection at dusk The source of tomorrow’s dream. Che Chidi Chukwumerije Poems from the inner river
FRIENDSHIP IS FOR THE PATIENT
Step with each other Step without each other, but step Step ahead of each other Step behind each other, but step Step beside each other, step around each other Step over each other, step under each other But never ever step on one another. Feel our steps inside of each other. Step inspite of each other, but step Step to one another, Step away from one another, but… Step always for one another. Feel ourselves stepping inside of us. Friendship is for the patient. Che Chidi Chukwumerije Poems from the inner river
LOVE IS FOR THE DARING
It’s not the bite in your pride when the rejection is nearing that you are really fearing It is not the hope that died while heartbreak was jeering that built the guard you’re wearing It is the invasion of your Inside, the vulnerability in sharing, the agony, the pain, of caring Deep within is where you hide, finding strength, slowly preparing, because love is for the daring. Che Chidi Chukwumerije Poems from the inner river
BEYOND A.I.
Now that A.I. has mirrored our past the past has become boring - We need a new humanity at last with basic new senses for exploring a future that in a different context is cast, less artificial, less vain, less deploring, more human, simple, more steadfast at peace-making, tired of warring, free from materialism’s comfort ballast, our inner mobility restoring. Che Chidi Chukwumerije Poems from the inner river
DON’T LOSE YOURSELF IN THE CROWD
Never join the crowd Let your silence be loud - Never yield to the crowd Let your humility be proud - The opinion of the crowd Is a blindfold, a shroud - We’re all parts of a crowd, But each with a spirit endowed. Don’t lose yourself in the crowd Because when you were allowed To come into being, you vowed To become an individual, unbowed. Che Chidi Chukwumerije Poems from the inner river
HINDSIGHT
Knives in my back They help me stand upright You’ve got my back Covered with purpose and bite Back-stabbing attacks Strengthen my will to fight What in foresight a man lacks He makes up for with hindsight. The opened eyes at the back of your head Are the lessons learned from the life you’ve led The wars in which you bravely bled And the wars from which you falsely fled Treachery in you and others is rife But you learn to fight better looking ahead Your rear-facing eyes bring back to life All the things you thought were dead. Che Chidi Chukwumerije Poems from the inner river
VISITOR FROM HEAVEN
You were there I saw you even if many others did not You were there I saw you even if even my eyes did not You were there I saw you. I saw you in the swelling of my heart In the paths that my thoughts did chart I saw you, for they were thoughts of thee. Thoughts of all those things which Thou art The origin, the beginning, the head, the start I saw you in my sensing of eternity. Che Chidi Chukwumerije Poems from the inner river
Che Chidi Chukwumerije 