Dark Rhythms

DARK RHYTHMS

Wellington Nwogu

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Published in Nigeria by

Purple Letters Publishers

Port Harcourt, Rivers State.Tel: +234 (0) 8084941157, +234 (0) 9039958891 E-Mail:purpleletterspublishers@gmail.com

First published, 2022

Copyright:Wellington Nwogu, 2022.

ISBN:978-978-60979-7-8

All rights reserved. This book is protected by copyright and should not be copied, reproduced or performed without the prior written permission of the copyright owner. Any form of illegal reproduction is thus punishable under the copyright laws of Nigeria.

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Published in Nigeria by Purple Letters Publishers Port Harcourt, Rivers State.Tel: +234 (0) 8084941157, +234 (0) 9039958891 E-Mail: purpleletterspublishers@gmail.com

First published, 2022

Copyright:Wellington Nwogu, 2022.

ISBN: 978-978-54949-3-8

All rights reserved. This book is protected by copyright and should not be copied, reproduced or performed without the prior written permission of the copyright owner. Any form of illegal reproduction is thus punishable under

the copyright laws of Nigeria.

Ϯ

This collection of poems is particularly dedicated to mother-earth whose inhabitants are bedeviled and beclouded with woes, occasioned by cruel and unreasonable people.

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Acknowledgments

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It is only the river that wants to dry up that forgets its source; but has a tree ever made a forest? No one has ever made it alone.

Therefore, my unalloyed thanks go first to the Supreme God of Heavens and earth—my Muse, giver of inspiration, and then to the editors and critics of this collection. Without them, this brain-child of mine would have not come into being today.

My special gratitude goes to my lovely wife, Chibuonu Wellington, and to my beautiful children, Star Chidera W., Perfect Oganihi W., Wealth Kemjika W., and Honour Chikemka W., for their love and support.

My beloved father, Pastor Loveday Nwogu deserves a special thank you for his love and support. My siblings, Comfort Godwin-Amadi, Freedom Nwogu, Joy Nwogu, and Gold Nwogu should be thanked for all their encouragement in the course of this work.

I am particularly grateful to a prolific African poet, the man whom I call Father, Prof., Niyi Osundare for his kind words of encouragement: I won’t forget those words of yours to me in a hurry, words, such as “…hope you are fine and your work is going on well…continue with your positive, encouraging attitude…”

Prof. Ozo-mekuri Ndimele, Prof. Chioma Chukueggu, Prof. Sunny Eboh Eremosele, HRM King Sir Dr. and Queen S.N Amaechi, Hon. Allwell Onyesoh, and Prof. E.E Sule who says he enjoys reading my poetry. They are sources of encouragements to my art of writing, and are worthy of eternal thank you.

My unalloyed thanks also go to Prof. Ibiere Ken-Maduako, Prof. Priye Iyalla Elechi-Amadi, Dr. Antony Orlu, Dr. Scholastica Amadi, High Chief Emmanuel Nwobilor, Su’eddieVershima Agema, Anaele Ihuoma, Ken Olodi O., Benedict Sika Yaako, Princewill Azubuike, Prince Nwogu, Chi Ndu Efogo, David Chukwueke, Obiora Momife, Humphrey Ogu, Uzo Nwamara, Adi Wali (Chairman, Association of Nigerian

Acknowledgments

ϰ

It is only the river that wants to dry up that forgets its source; but has a tree ever made a forest? No one has ever made it alone.

Therefore, my unalloyed thanks go first to the Supreme God of Heavens and earth—my Muse, giver of inspiration, and then to the editors and critics of this collection. Without them, this brain-child of mine would have not come into being today.

My special gratitude goes to my lovely wife, Chibuonu Wellington, and to my beautiful children, Star Chidera W., Perfect Oganihi W., Wealth Kemjika W., and Honour Chikemka W., for their love and support.

My beloved father, Pastor Loveday Nwogu deserves a special thank you for his love and support. My siblings, Comfort Godwin-Amadi, Freedom Nwogu, Joy Nwogu, and Gold Nwogu should be thanked for all their encouragement in the course of this work.

I am particularly grateful to a prolific African poet, the man whom I call Father, Prof., Niyi Osundare for his kind words of encouragement: I won’t forget those words of yours to me in a hurry, words, such as “…hope you are fine and your work is going on well…continue with your positive, encouraging attitude…”

Prof. Ozo-mekuri Ndimele, Prof. Chioma Chukueggu, Prof. Sunny Eboh Eremosele, HRM King Sir Dr. and Queen S.N Amaechi, Hon. Allwell Onyesoh, and Prof. E.E Sule who says he enjoys reading my poetry. They are sources of encouragements to my art of

writing, and are worthy of eternal thank you.

My unalloyed thanks also go to Prof. Ibiere Ken-Maduako, Prof. Priye Iyalla Elechi-Amadi, Dr. Antony Orlu, Dr. Scholastica Amadi, High Chief Emmanuel Nwobilor, Su’eddieVershima Agema, Anaele Ihuoma, Ken Olodi O., Benedict Sika Yaako, Princewill Azubuike, Prince Nwogu, Chi Ndu Efogo, David Chukwueke, Obiora Momife, Humphrey Ogu, Uzo Nwamara, Adi Wali (Chairman, Association of Nigerian

ϱ Authors, Rivers State Branch), Dr. Ebidenyefa Charity Nikade for their moral supports. Those who might have discouraged or frustrated me are worthy of thank you, too. -Wellington Nwogu,

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A Glimpse from the Poet The verse,Dark Rhythmsis a metaphoric demonstration of the perpetually disheartening angst of the people of a homeland who are neglected, estranged and abandoned by leaders whose acts of corruption and greed have become a daily creed and ritual. As a matter of truth, sad songs have practically become the rhythms and chants of the masses whose lights have been replaced with darkness; whose joys have been replaced with sorrows; whose blessings have been replaced with curses among other social dislodgments and dislocations. -Wellington Nwogu, Port Harcourt, 2022.

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A Glimpse from the Poet The verse,Dark Rhythmsis a metaphoric demonstration of the perpetually disheartening angst of the people of a homeland who are neglected, estranged and abandoned by leaders whose acts of corruption and greed have become a daily creed and ritual. As a matter of truth, sad songs have practically become the rhythms and chants of the masses whose lights have been replaced with darkness; whose joys have been replaced with sorrows; whose blessings have been replaced with curses among other social dislodgments and dislocations. -Wellington Nwogu, Port Harcourt, 2022.

Part One: Naked Rhythms Wars and Woes - -We Daily Defecate - -Virulent Virus -Lads Stray Smugly - -Neglected Truths - -The Bard Bawls - -Dark Rhythms - -I am That Wounded Land - -Though the Cutlass of Greed -A Large Log-of-Wood - -Living Dusts - -Tell Mortal gods - -The Trodden Toil - -A planet of Pain - -Trying Times - -Power People - -Mortal Ungraciousness - -Part Two: Immoral Mortals and Pains

Listen, I Say, Listen…

I am That Girl-Child

I Am That Black Man

When Last Did You See Them?

Though the Cutlass of Greed

I am in the Midst of Fears

Dare Not Death

A Full Bitter Sweet

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Stolen Shares

From a Monkey’s Mouth

Don’t, the Clay Pot, Break Until This Writer Becomes a Writer From the Tree of Grace I am a Fisherman Strong Wars, Weak Warriors

We Will They Love Lucifer

The Soil Which Once

Our Pussycats

In the Land We Live

I don’t understand Pharaoh’s Finger The Season They are Dancing The Sacred Scroll

Clench Their Fists

We Will Oust

They Are Back Again

We Will Trash

Party Preachers Fading Pleasures It is It Stole My Sleep A River of Tears

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Stolen Shares

From a Monkey’s Mouth

Don’t, the Clay Pot, Break

Until This Writer Becomes a Writer

From the Tree of Grace

I am a Fisherman

Strong Wars, Weak Warriors

We Will They Love Lucifer

The Soil Which Once

Our Pussycats

In the Land We Live

I don’t understand Pharaoh’s Finger The Season They are Dancing The Sacred Scroll

Clench Their Fists

We Will Oust

They Are Back Again

We Will Trash

Party Preachers Fading Pleasures It is It Stole My Sleep A River of Tears

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Part Three: Sad Songs

We Are Glowing Grass

The Laying Lord Lives

The Lyricist Lives

Chief-Priest of Poetry

Part Four: Of Peace and Love

Peace is the Pill

Where Love Lives

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Dark Rhythms , livre ebook