Mirror mirror on the wall - Who‘s the fairest of them all? Mirror mirror, as they fall - Who’s the dearest of them all? Mirror mirror, hear them call - Who’s the nearest of them all? Mirror mirror, it is dull - Who’s the clearest of them all? The eyes are the window of the soul And the mirror of the world within - Mirror my soul, picture me whole, Let me come in and let love begin. Mirror mirror on the wall, Who’s the surest of them all? Che Chidi Chukwumerije Poems from the inner river
eyes
ONE LOOK
If we could see ourselves through Other people’s eyes, how much better We would know ourselves and them too. In the cold your gaze is a warm sweater And when I’m lonely and missing you Your eyes write me a wordless love letter. Che Chidi Chukwumerije Poems from the inner river
EMERGING
The more my eyes fail
The better I see
The more my knees flail
The faster I flee
And the farther I go
I thought younger was stronger
But that was a long long time ago.
Che Chidi Chukwumerije
EYES ON THE BALL
Up the road a few trees beckon
A moment of shade on a hot sunny day
If I stop and seek here refuge
I’ll miss my appointment at the end of my way
For my path is not my goal.
No thing of beauty will hold me down
No period of quiet will slow me down
No place of peace will hold me back
No woman, no wine, no work, no glory will change my story
For the path is not the goal, no matter what they say.
– che chidi chukwumerije.
AFTER YOU’RE GONE
Footprints on sand
What is the proof that you ever lived?
What is record of self?
What is confirmation of identity?
Passport? No. Insufficient.
Fingerprints? No. Mute.
You. Spirit. Spirit is evidence.
Speak your mind before you die.
Character. Be yourself.
– Che Chidi Chukwumerije.
DO YOU KNOW WHAT YOU’RE DOING?
I want the lines of your palms
Written in my diary
My future lives
As though they were already past
My days numbered
My deeds counted
And when I scoop your two palms to my face
Inhale your peroxide breath
Exhale my soul, blue kiss
Your eyes, too round full moons
Have dawned on me with undisguised thoughts
Warning me:
– Che Chidi Chukwumerije.
REFLECTIONS
The reflections of the things we love
Reside in our hearts,
A descendant of the primordial dove
Within everybody darts…
Dart on, dart on, star of heaven –
Eagle, dove or raven.
The reflections of the things we seek
Reside in our souls,
Be they bright or be they bleak,
Fulfilling their roles…
Play on, play on, lead us there –
We must pay our fare!
The reflections of the things we are
Flicker in our eyes;
An angel, a beast or a solitary star
That never ever dies…
Shine on, shine on, little star –
I know who you are.
– Che Chidi Chukwumerije.
Che Chidi Chukwumerije 