The Spectacle of Youth
I loved the children of the lion
When their manes were beginning to grow,
Simulating the ancient heroes.
I knew the greatness of their future
When they leap on the tender necks of antelopes
Which prided themselves on their fleetness.
I praised the skillfulness of their power,
Knowing how soon they will be killing buffaloes.
Tochukwu Ezebube is a passionate poet and founder of Poem Collections. With a deep love for African verse and a commitment to sharing diverse poetic voices, Tochukwu curates a rich tapestry of poems that celebrate the beauty of words from Africa and around the world. Join him on this poetic journey at Poem Collections, where the magic of language unfolds.
how long will you fight little ant before you are crushed? surviving rocks and oppressive jungle you felt invincible strode on the sands of the great lake mocking the hissing waves, yet you cling to a stone in its chuckling belly while they reach increasingly for your soul- not even the printed page floating so…
I am like a slip of comet, Scarce worth discovery, in some corner seen Bridging the slender difference of two stars, Come out of space, or suddenly engender’d By heady elements, for no man knows; But when she sights the sun she grows and sizes And spins her skirts out, while her central star Shakes…
“Draw me a lion.”So I set my pento work. Produce a lazy, kindly beast . . .Colour it yellow. “Does it bite?”“Sometimes,but only when it’s angry—if you pull its tailor say that it is just another cat . . .”But for the most part, indolent, biddable,basking in the sun of ancient pride. (Outside, the sunlight…
The Fulani Creation Story At the beginning there was a huge drop of milk.Then Doondari came and he created the stone:Then the stone created iron,And iron created fire,And fire created water,And water created air.Then Doondari descended the second time,And he took the five elementsAnd he shaped them into man.But man was proud:Then Doondari created blindness, and blindness defeated man.But…
Oh, love as long as you can love, Oh, love as long as love you may! The hour will come, the hour will come: By graves lamenting you will stay. And ever keep your heart aglow, And let it foster love with care, As long as still another heart Beats with it warmly anywhere. If…
This cigarette butt This little bit of ground coffee This cherry yogurt These few grains of salt This fistful These chamomile flowers These grains of rice This ration of semolina pasta These two fingers of olive oil This piece of old bread This chunk of parmesan cheese That rose in the waters of the Aniene…
