POETIC DELIGHTS BY FRANCIS OTOLE-NIGERIA

1-DREAMSIDE EXCHANGE

Weaver bird, weaver bird

of the Benue riverbed

sitting high and calm

on a solitary palm.

Tell me what thou see

across this sea?

What is the bond

between here and beyond?

Little child, little child

tender and mild

you enquire

as curiosity require.

Many crossings have shown

what lies beyond is unknown.

I think the smiling water lotus

bear messages of those that left us.

2-FLYING TIMES

Time lolls on pendulum swings

And flies on eagle’s wings

A moment of fun

The next, it’s gone.

Time walks on clock’s lazy feet

And runs on zephyr’s fleet

One moment you are bold

The next you are old.

Time sets the stages

And flips through pages

One moment you are born

The next you are done.

Time changes all things

Whether slaves or kings

One moment you are quick

The next you’re weak.

Time marches to heart’s drumbeat

And evaporates at every breath

One moment you are over

The next you are covered.

3-CANONS FOR CANNONS

For long we have matched

Blood for blood

Bullet for bullet

Teeth for tat

Eye for eye

Yet widening the crack

Now let’s dissolve in order to resolve

To bridge the differences

By trading canons for cannons

And missals for missiles.

AUTHOR:

FRANCIS OTOLE-NIGERIA

Francis Otole is a poet and author. His works have appeared in local and international

magazines, journals, and anthologies. His debut collection of poems, Heaven is a Place on

Earth made the shortlist of ANA- Association of Nigerian Authors poetry prize, 2024. He loves

reading and writing. His marriage to his lovely wife is blessed with a set of twins