When the worst happens, The thing you fear the most, A strange thing happens: Your fear becomes a ghost. It was never real, It was imagination, It was expectation - What you felt you would feel. But aren’t we spirit? Pain is the hand That forces us to grow and to understand There’s nothing ‘twixt the sea and the sand That can’t be healed by spirit’s magic wand. Che Chidi Chukwumerije Poems from the inner river
pain
I’M FINE
How are you today?I’m still hurting from yesterday I don’t know what to say I’m very sad even when I play Lord, heal my broken heart, I pray I’m lost, I can’t find the way… - I’m fine, thank you And you? Thank you I’m fine too. Che Chidi Chukwumerije Poems from the inner river
I HURT BADLY
There are pains I could bear When I was younger Which I cannot bear Any longer When I was younger, I was tougher My heart could recover Now I’m older, I’m harder No longer a bender, now a breaker No longer a healer, now a hurter So I don’t engage Unnecessarily, I don’t bother I just turn a new page. Che Chidi Chukwumerije Poems from the inner river
EVOLVING
Always absorb the pain And move on but resolve To one day love again - That’s how hearts evolve. Che Chidi Chukwumerije Poems from the inner river
DRAW YOUR SECOND BREATH
When I first came to Germany, I died, slowly and gradually. And - this is the worst part - I died alone, inside my heart. Some might say it is a death Akin to the planted seed That dissolves inside the earth En route to being freed; Freed from the past and the old - The path to growth into the new. But death is empty, dark, cold. And lonely. I never knew. There is a path that leads back to life; Beware - it is more painful than death And it too with loneliness is rife From which will emerge your second breath. Che Chidi Chukwumerije Poems from the inner river
THE THOUGHTS THAT ATTACH
I‘m looking for the pain I can’t find it in all its usual hiding places I go inside, check again the box of fears, the memory full spaces But I can’t find the rain. Letting go of the thoughts that attach Not every perfect catch is a perfect match I cannot find the pain. Che Chidi Chukwumerije
LIKE A FLOWER THINKS OF THE SUN
Think of forgiveness Like a flower thinks of the sun With gratitude nonetheless For a story time once upon For pain is the power to bless Forevermore for if ever done Let anguish be my shorn redress Torn away, for Done! is foregone Revenge and mercy both make a mess But mercy makes the earthier one. Che Chidi Chukwumerije
TAKE YOUR PAIN
Take your pain Don’t run from it Again and again Welcome it You will gain From the purge And after the rain A new you will emerge. Che Chidi Chukwumerije
BADLY
I‘m hurting so badly It’s driving me mad And making me sad I’ll take the bend gladly. Che Chidi Chukwumerije
OPENING UP
My heart was broken
Over and over and over again by life
Until I was sure
That life really loves me
Or else it wouldn’t keep on opening me.
– Che Chidi Chukwumerije
Che Chidi Chukwumerije 