tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6323025783555166952024-03-05T08:01:03.293-08:00HER LIONESSHer Lionesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09094737945121875807noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-632302578355516695.post-38700811829515900762011-07-03T12:35:00.000-07:002011-07-03T15:34:46.916-07:00The Message<!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Grace came over to visit and suggested that they should take a stroll round the village. She took Chioma to </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">oputa </span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">stream, through the market square and also took her to meet her aunty, Ma Edna. The woman lived a small house with unfinished roofing. There was a small boy who met them at the gate. He ran back into the house to inform Ma Edna that she had visitors. Just as they were about to walk into the house, Grace whispered that Ma Edna is a Prophetess. The woman was dressed in all white and tied a multi-coloured scarf. She also had a big wooden rosary around her neck. She invited them into the sitting room. They were offered soft drinks and groundnuts by the small boy Ma Edna called Ugo.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">“This is my childhood friend, Chioma. She arrived from the UK yesterday.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">“My daughter, you are welcome”. After a long conversation, Ma Edna asked that they should say a prayer together. She prayed and spoke in tongues. When she finished, she looked into Chioma’s eyes.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">"Hmmm, terrible." Ma Edna said while shaking her head</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Chioma was terrified. "Does she know about what Uncle Paul had done to her? " She thought.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">She had not told her mum or even Grace about what had happen. It wasn't the right time to tell Grace or the right person to tell her. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">“Forget about all your worries, my daughter. Focus on your future. You will become a great woman and dine with great men. But never forget about your family and your people. Before you go to sleep tonight, Say seven Hail Marys and pray for divine directions.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Ma Edna made the sign of the cross on Chioma’s forehead.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Chioma got home late as they had also gone to see a couple of their friends after meeting with Ma Edna. Her little brother ran up to her and gave her a hug.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">“I love you very much, Bobbie! I promise I'l never abandon you okay?” She said to him<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Bobbie nodded and smiled.</span></span><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <!--EndFragment-->Her Lionesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09094737945121875807noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-632302578355516695.post-63865640604711454842011-04-12T16:38:00.000-07:002011-08-02T07:33:18.287-07:00LIGHTS OFF<!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#330033;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';">There had been a snowstorm and a lot of flights were delayed that morning. Everyone on the plane looked so happy. It was the first flight to Nigeria. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#330033;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"> </span></span></span></o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#330033;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';">As the plane was about to take off, Chioma closed her eyes. She began to think of how her week had unfolded.</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#330033;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"> </span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#330033;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#330033;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';">Anthony broke up with her with an unbelievable line, “I don't think we are </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#330033;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';">meant to be together, Chioma”. The truth was, he had</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#330033;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"> found a new girlfriend.</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#330033;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#330033;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"> </span></span></span></o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#330033;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';">Some days after, she had a fight with her flatmate. Chioma began to sleep with the lights on because somehow she could feel her father's presence in her room. And that was it.</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#330033;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#330033;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';">Enoye, her flatmate, kept reminding her to switch off the lights to save energy until the fight broke out. The next day, Chioma called her Uncle, Paul. She asked him if she could stay in his house till her flight on Friday.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#330033;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"> </span></span></span></o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#330033;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#330033;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';">“Sure my dear, hope everything is fine?” he asked</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#330033;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#330033;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"> </span></span></span></o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#330033;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';">“Yes uncle, everything is okay”</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#330033;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#330033;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"> </span></span></span></o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#330033;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';">She packed her all her things. All she wanted was to go back to Nigeria and see her beautiful mother and little brother.</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#330033;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#330033;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"> </span></span></span></o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#330033;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';">Uncle Paul is married to an English lady, Kim. Well, he did it to become a British citizen. Kim loved him so much that she wasn’t willing to let go after he got his papers. So they lived together in a three-bedroom house.</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#330033;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#330033;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"> </span></span></span></o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#330033;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';">He was so nice and caring that she began to forget about Anthony, Enoye and was able to sleep with the lights off.</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#330033;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#330033;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"> </span></span></span></o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#330033;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';">On Thursday, a day before her flight, Kim had gone to Leeds to visit her mum. Uncle Paul came back late from work that night whilst Chioma was asleep. He settled for a while, ate and went up to her room. He took off her duvet slowly. Then, he gently touched her legs, stroking his fingers to the middle of her thighs.</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#330033;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#330033;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"> </span></span></span></o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#330033;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';">Chioma woke up in shock.</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#330033;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#330033;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"> </span></span></span></o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#330033;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';">“Be quiet!” He exclaimed</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#330033;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#330033;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"> </span></span></span></o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#330033;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';">“Uncle, No, Please!” Chioma pleaded…</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#330033;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><br /></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#330033;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#330033;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"> </span></span></span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#330033;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><o:p></o:p>“Would you like a drink?” a flight attendant asked Chioma</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#330033;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#330033;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';">As she opened her eyes, tears rolled down her face.</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#330033;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';">“I’ll have a cup of water”</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#330033;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#330033;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';">***</span></span></span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';color:#330033;"><br /></span></p> <!--EndFragment-->Her Lionesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09094737945121875807noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-632302578355516695.post-48174481487293918042011-03-03T14:21:00.000-08:002011-04-15T07:21:09.244-07:00The Meeting<!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#330000;">This Wednesday was different. The computing lab had two young looking guys and a lady. One of the guys looked like a Nigerian and Yes, he was HOT! When Chioma walked into the lab, the Nigerian guy glanced at her and then he looked away. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#330000;"> </span></span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#330000;">‘Hello, have I met you before?’ she thought to herself, hoping she would have the guts to say that to him or maybe something different to start up a conversation. She picked a desk, sat down and began to work on her project. She had so much to do and needed to focus on her work. Afterall, she had made up her mind that she wouldn’t get into a relationship until she finally gets over her breakup with Anthony. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#330000;">‘Who am I kidding?’ she thought. A month after the breakup, Anthony got a new girlfriend. He had even changed his facebook display picture to a nice picture of both of them in a fancy restaurant. As if it was not bad enough, he change his status from ‘single’ to ‘in a relationship’. It was about time she had moved on too. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#330000;"> </span></span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#330000;">Four hours later, she decided to go home knowing how much time she had wasted thinking about having a pleasant conversation with the guy two sits away from her. Almost exiting the library, she got a tap on her shoulder ‘Hey, you were at the computer lab upstairs. You face looks familiar. Have we met before?’ It was the Nigerian guy! She pretended as though she might have met him before but at the same time she knew he was lying. He wanted to talk to her.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#330000;"> </span></span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#330000;">‘No, I’m afraid I haven’t met you before’ she replied. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#330000;"> </span></span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#330000;">‘Well, I thought I have seen you before, my name is Jude by the way’ <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#330000;"> </span></span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#330000;">She was filled with delight but kept a straight face.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#330000;"> </span></span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#330000;">‘Nice meeting you Jude, I am Chioma, Chioma Nwankwu’ <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#330000;"> </span></span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#330000;">Hoping that he would recognise her father’s name. Mr. Princewill Nwankwu was the former Minister of Education who had died two years before she started her law degree in Nottingham. Jude didn’t seem to recognise the surname but he kept smiling and she liked it.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#330000;"> </span></span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#330000;">‘Chioma, that’s my mother’s name’ Jude replied. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#330000;"> </span></span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#330000;">***<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#330000;"> Her Lioness</span></span></o:p></p> <!--EndFragment-->Her Lionesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09094737945121875807noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-632302578355516695.post-56833862797517595402011-02-11T09:21:00.001-08:002011-02-11T10:23:23.426-08:00The Feminist<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#660000;">She is the one who laughs gracefully</span></span></i></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#660000;"> </span></span></i></b></span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#660000;">Yet speaks with authority</span></span></i></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#660000;"> </span></span></i></b></span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#660000;"> </span></span></i></b></span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#660000;">Lioness</span></span></i></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#660000;"> </span></span></i></b></span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#660000;"> </span></span></i></b></span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#660000;">Strong</span></span></i></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#660000;"> </span></span></i></b></span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#660000;">Humble</span></span></i></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#660000;"> </span></span></i></b></span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#660000;">Refuses to fail</span></span></i></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#660000;"> </span></span></i></b></span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#660000;">Even if she does</span></span></i></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#660000;"> </span></span></i></b></span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#660000;">She will try and try again.</span></span></i></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#660000;"> </span></span></i></b></span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#660000;">Fierce but Tamed</span></span></i></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#660000;"> </span></span></i></b></span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#660000;">Love and is loved.</span></span></i></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#660000;"> </span></span></i></b></span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#660000;"> </span></span></i></b></span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#660000;">She will say,</span></span></i></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#660000;"> </span></span></i></b></span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#660000;">I have a dream… just like you</span></span></i></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#660000;"> </span></span></i></b></span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#660000;">I have an ambition… just like you</span></span></i></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#660000;"> </span></span></i></b></span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#660000;">I can do it better than you</span></span></i></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#660000;"> </span></span></i></b></span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#660000;">Release the chains off my neck</span></span></i></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#660000;"> </span></span></i></b></span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#660000;">I have a voice</span></span></i></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><o:p><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#660000;"> </span></span></i></span></b></o:p></p> <span style="font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-fareast-Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-GB;mso-fareast-language:EN-GB; mso-bidi-language:AR-SAfont-family:";font-size:12.0pt;"><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#660000;">Let me SPEAK!</span></span></i></span></b></div></span>Her Lionesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09094737945121875807noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-632302578355516695.post-73576343794656355532011-01-20T11:22:00.001-08:002011-01-20T11:38:02.969-08:00Your Type<div align="center"><em><span style="font-family:lucida grande;color:#660000;"><strong>I know your type<br />You are so nice and friendly<br />Or let’s be honest now<br />This is you, pretending ...<br />Wanting everyone to like you<br />But still gossip about the place<br />In a nice way ...<br /><br />I know your type<br />You are insecure and arrogant<br />You think you know it all<br />You pick on everyone’s insecurities<br />To make yourself feel better<br /><br />You are not my type<br />You don’t have a car<br />And you don’t even have a job<br />You cannot afford to buy me a new Prada<br />People like me do not date your type<br /><br />I know your type<br />Claim to be rich when you are not<br />Very rude and disrespectful<br />Looking for a husband<br />Yet sleeps around with different men<br /><br /><br />Are you sure you know my type?<br />Seems you are the type that knows everybody’s type<br />The type that segregates others because of their ‘type’<br />You should be part of a ‘type’ too<br />I think I have heard about you<br />Aren’t you Stereotype?</strong></span></em></div>Her Lionesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09094737945121875807noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-632302578355516695.post-23865446797665042312010-07-14T15:00:00.000-07:002011-07-03T14:38:37.795-07:00God Loves You<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;color:#993399;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><i></i></span></span></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;color:#993399;"><i><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;">It</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"> wa</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;">s a massive clinic. I compared it with the clinic close to my apartment in </span></span></span><st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;">London</span></span></span></st1:place></st1:city><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;">. The only difference I could see was the friendliness of the staffs, doctors and nurses. As I stepped into Cook County Hospital Chicago, I could feel an accepting atmosphere. My sister and I walked toward the reception after being lost a number of times. We were given visitors cards to take towards the sixth floor to Theresa’s room. It was just between the third and fourth floor that my sister pointed out the girl we were both visiting was my name sake. It made me more eager to see her. We got lost again before we finally got to room 6533. Theresa laid on the bed smiling on seeing our faces as I held a box a donuts and a card. </span></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;">Theresa had meningitis which left her with little ability to walk and to talk properly. As she tried to say thank you for the present but she stammered and repeated her sentence over and over again. She was so happy we could make it. My sister and Theresa’s sisters talked and reminisced about places and people they knew. Most of the conversation was directed towards me, the newbie in </span></span></span><st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;">Chicago</span></span></span></st1:place></st1:city><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;">. I had about two weeks left before I travel back to </span></span></span><st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;">London</span></span></span></st1:place></st1:city><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"> but it seems like they wanted to tell me everything all at once, all that I should know. My attention, however, was directed to my name sake that was busy speaking by herself. I soon later grasped that she was speaking to God and saying to herself “God loves me, He loves me”. She kept pointing to the ceiling and smiling to herself. </span></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;">A nurse quietly opened the door holding a tray of food packed in a plastic bowl and a small cup with a bottle of water. The nurse took it towards the table, greeted everyone in the room and turned to Theresa “Your hand, painful?” she asked Theresa. Theresa looked at the bandage tied around her hand and answered “No, No, No” but she didn’t stop waving her hands. The Nurse smiled and worked out of the room. Theresa sisters brought the food to her while she prayed over it repeatedly. </span></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;">Suddenly, all I could think was how my life would be if I were in her condition. I thought of the fact that she puts God first and prays to him continuously. Even if the doctors say she would not make it, I don’t think that would separate her from God or stop her from loving Him. She would even be happier that she would be going to a better place where everything is perfect. It will have no beginning or end. No pain. No hospitals. Just love. I asked myself, “wouldn’t it be better to be in this hospital than have good legs and speech but go to the wrong places that lead us to sin or let sinful statements out from our lips and be uncertain where we will end up?”. </span></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;">Two hours had passed and there was a sudden silence in the room. My sister picked up her handbag and I knew it was time to go. She stood up and walked towards Theresa, smiled and said “God loves you”. Theresa was so happy you could see excitement written all over her face as she kept on waving goodbye. I wished I had said something but while I stood in front of her, I became speechless. I just smiled. We said our goodbyes and headed back home. I could not stop asking myself all sorts of questions on our drive back home. I didn’t suppose my sister could see the many expressions on my face. That night I had a nightmare. I wanted God. </span></span></span></span></p></i></span><p></p>Her Lionesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09094737945121875807noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-632302578355516695.post-37383462306402070242010-02-25T12:44:00.000-08:002010-02-25T13:04:08.050-08:00S'engouer<div>My heart Your love</div><div>You kiss I kiss</div><div>The love The greed</div><div>I need You need</div><div>Touch I touch</div><div>The honey The sweet</div><div>Season Season me!</div><div>You want I want</div><div>Selfish!</div><div>You Me</div><div>Fantasy Reality</div><div>Lust? Love</div><div>S'engouer! </div><div>S'engouer!</div><div>S' aimer</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Verdana, Helvetica, 'Gill Sans', Verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div>Her Lionesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09094737945121875807noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-632302578355516695.post-81975459603379979822009-12-28T15:31:00.000-08:002009-12-28T16:34:29.121-08:00Reverse<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVxtkLyuSLJiWXUPoNVzy-vDOxumx0Uqz9YAqVc7jCbSEThuyrAXBahiLM0XwpaWO2JxyMvja6q0E2Hne4ALSrvky2ckzrSfmUDGk5QQT-i_OUgmVRlME7M7JI0528_wsHZSN46ZhLyQKz/s1600-h/african-girl.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 260px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVxtkLyuSLJiWXUPoNVzy-vDOxumx0Uqz9YAqVc7jCbSEThuyrAXBahiLM0XwpaWO2JxyMvja6q0E2Hne4ALSrvky2ckzrSfmUDGk5QQT-i_OUgmVRlME7M7JI0528_wsHZSN46ZhLyQKz/s320/african-girl.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420442753855035362" /></a><br /><p class="MsoNormal">As I watched her gaze into the invisible with troubled eyes</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Her thoughts run the golden race of curiosity</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Her heart and soul seeks the understanding of her newness</p> <p class="MsoNormal">The answers seems to be incomplete with uncertainty</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Silent moments and dark nights of the past</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Glaring sun rise and the warmth of her smile</p> <p class="MsoNormal">The sudden transit made her heart skip fast</p><p class="MsoNormal">Yet, it brought about an unfulfilling reply</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">It wrote a letter describing the new heart beat</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Its light gave the feeling like flying with eagle wings</p> <p class="MsoNormal">The feeling lasted at vital moments and then fades</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Like biting on her skin, she felt its burning stings</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">The black skin has been living in a lie</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Years gone by, with marks of the past</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Thus, it has been renewed with a blunder</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Her soul pleads and yearns to live and not to die</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">For Lord of whom she prays, she seeks contrition </p> <p class="MsoNormal">It began to grow, the detestation of the newness</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Preferring the blameless non-satisfaction</p><p class="MsoNormal">Like a child to man, the newness cannot be reversed.</p>Her Lionesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09094737945121875807noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-632302578355516695.post-20168866007870848952009-10-09T15:03:00.000-07:002009-10-10T11:45:34.526-07:00A New Home<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPNnefLcha3ayDh9qA345dUapWWCvet3jFfg4waa729u0bKA4nBjyjAR0iDbhakUkCi89C7Yo4fwVBGoz7AKQi-7w8R8AuTaVsE9oybdjbADMJ6Qx0U4L25ZsBXEB2l-37RfT583T5zKGq/s1600-h/1989992-village-scene-0.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPNnefLcha3ayDh9qA345dUapWWCvet3jFfg4waa729u0bKA4nBjyjAR0iDbhakUkCi89C7Yo4fwVBGoz7AKQi-7w8R8AuTaVsE9oybdjbADMJ6Qx0U4L25ZsBXEB2l-37RfT583T5zKGq/s320/1989992-village-scene-0.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391044204473163426" /></a><br /><p class="MsoNormal">As the melodious drum beats</p> <p class="MsoNormal">I gracefully dance to the skipping rhythm</p> <p class="MsoNormal">The wind served as a contribution</p> <p class="MsoNormal">To the flow of my sacred wear</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">My loved ones, I hear them clap and sing</p> <p class="MsoNormal">I see joy and happiness in their eyes</p> <p class="MsoNormal">I see my chosen treasure smiling as the sun</p> <p class="MsoNormal">I smile back with aching gladness</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">I see not anymore a face but a sea</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Tinbu, my beloved iroko tree</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Her beauty, they say is a twin of mine</p> <p class="MsoNormal">But by the moment it’s fading</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">The sunset quicken for my ceremony</p> <p class="MsoNormal">He beside me, my body beside him</p> <p class="MsoNormal">My soul beside the sea</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Receiving our blessing of the moon and sun</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Today I cannot flee this moment</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Run out of my painful shadow<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">I must swallow the seeds of the black mountain</p> <p class="MsoNormal">And go to my chosen home</p>Her Lionesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09094737945121875807noreply@blogger.com2