They come in with empty stomachs And leave with full hearts - A restaurant is a homestead in public, A social comforter of sorts. A smile tastes as good as wine, And the sound of laughter Will be your lifeline And quench your hunger long after. Che Chidi Chukwumerije Poems from the inner river
Poems
A NEW BEGINNING
A beautiful day, My heart opens in joy and gratitude And begins to pray: Thank You, Lord, for healing, for fortitude, For blessing my way With true friends and a heart of quietude, For sending Your Ray Of warmth into the depth of my solitude. Although I lost my woman I gained new friends and a reopened heart. With pain grows acumen; Life is a journey, Your Word is the Chart. It’s hard to be a true man But every new day is a good day to start. Daily You make me human, moulding through experiences my innermost part. Che Chidi Chukwumerije Poems from the inner river
GETTING THERE
Have you known pain More than you ever thought you could bear? You will recover again - When death approaches, immortal life is near. Accepting the inconceivable, Acknowledging the irretrievable, Internalising the unchangeable, Will slowly get you there. Che Chidi Chukwumerije Poems from the inner river
RECALIBRATED
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
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
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
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
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
DEFLATION
It‘s a strange feeling when you stop caring; You look for it inside you, it’s no longer there. The heart grows cold and stops sharing, And lies overtake the spirit of truth or dare. It’s a strange feeling when you stop fearing To lose what you love the most to have near. What has freed you leaves you feeling empty; The answers are few, the questions are plenty; But the urge to know has suddenly died recently. - Che Chidi Chukwumerije Poems from the inner river
IT IS WHY WE LIVE
It doesn’t matter who broke your heart Or how badly they broke it. It doesn’t matter how much it hurt. When the new one comes, Love again. And love HARDER. Once you set off, don’t look back. Pain is not and is never our master. Joy and love lie always ahead - Fall forward. It is why we live With the fullness of our heart always to give. Che Chidi Chukwumerije Poems from the inner river
Che Chidi Chukwumerije 