The Newness of life

New is the year

New are the wares

New are the resolutions

Likewise the aspirations

New is the spirit

Strange to retreat

New is the vibrancy

A force of potency.

Life offers newness

To wear out oldness

Oldness that bores my heart

Newness that gladdens heart

Be merry, new is the life

It holds no place for strife.

The desire for change

Has no definite range

Time to change ways

Rays of hope

Help you cope.

~ Kolade Olanrewaju Freedom

I Pen My Heart For Her Day

I Pen My Heart For Her Day

Life will not allow you live it without having people to build the stairs for you to courageously climb. Growing up, I have had many reasons to appreciate the existence of people as catalysts to speed you up while aiming to fulfill destiny. Realistically, I have also greatly suffered psychologically due to the indifference and negligence received from people I least expect ( not even a family name to consider).

Out of the blue she came extending hands of love,support and comfort that first scared me not to death but to unbelief! Never knew love so real could be emitted from someone who I couldn't see off my phone screen.

Hope jerked back to live, faith was empowered, courage raged as she showered me with love and attention a mother would give to a child.

The Light Bearer(my poetry collection) is an offspring of the relationship I had with her. Believing in me, she tore away the leaves of impossibility from the tree of greatness; she ridiculed normality by encouraging me to type the poems to be published as a book on my mobile phone since I had no computer to work with. I became industrious, she became the industry as she transformed my phone poetry to an enviable manuscript.Gloriously, the dreams were hatched, The Light Bearer was published!

I cannot possibly recount all the good seeds she has sown in my fertile heart,but few years to come you will all see the delightful fruits.

Today is her day, and my pen is drunk with inspiration to honor her beyond what limit could limit. Catherine Mahoney is the angel whom I talk about...

Living is helping
Helping is living
Living is loving
Loving is living.

Flourish with no hitch
If I be a palm tree
Do not I have one
who shined and rained
just to have me attain a height
that retains greatness?

What significance has her birth?
Steal a look at me
And nod convincingly like an agama
Aren't I a ray of rays of her light
Happy, happy is this day truly
Happy is my soul
That eternally longs for hers
Happy is humanity
She has given posterity future
Let future come
You will know what I speak of.

A day comes when my gratefulness will arrest her kindness,her selflessness and her loveliness.

Happy Birthday, Catherine Mahoney..

Angels rejoice in heaven,
Lend them your voice!

~ Kolade Olanrewaju Freedom

Trance by Hülya N Yilmaz

TRANCE


Hülya N Yilmaz, in this soulful poetry collection of hers displays high level of intellectualism that will keep a reader digging incessantly in order to fully explore the richness of her eloquent expression.

As a reader, I had to connect my soul to her writings in order to extract the undiluted message Hulya has for the world. 

Written in three dominant languages; Tukish, German and English...Hulya achieves what many will term impossible as she unites and creates a unique blend with these three languages without a depreciation in the appreciation of her profound expressions.

I cannot help but further continue to address Hulya N. Yilmaz as a literary mother whom I need to associate myself with so as to graduate to the level of excellence where mediocrity is shamed.

My heart is endeared to this awesome collection (Trance), and my love for the writer is strengthened beyond breakage...I have no choice but to address her as "mein Schatz" ( You care to know the meaning of these strange words? Go get the book)

Book available via link: http://www.innerchildpress.com/hülya-n-yilmaz.php

~Kolade Olanrewaju Freedom, author of The Light Bearer.

Interested in knowing this awesome personality? Here is her biography:hülya yılmaz is an interrupted poet and writer since middle school, hidden in a career as a college professor in Humanities. She earned her Ph.D. from The University of Michigan in Ann Arbor in 1989. Her extensive teaching experience resulted in a respectable number of thankful students whose verbal and written words of appreciation she cherishes most of all in her profession. She authored a research book in German in 1992 on the literary reflections of cross-cultural influences between the West and the Islamic East – a groundbreaking study for the time. More recently – on April 24, 2012 to be precise, a scholarly anthology was published to which she contributed by invitation with a book chapter on a controversial novel by Orhan Pamuk, the 2006 recipient of the Nobel Prize for Literature. In her creative writing, yılmaz concentrates on fictional autobiography, short story and poetry. Two of her poems were published in July, 2013 by Indies In Action in the international charity anthology Twist of Fate. Presently, she continues to teach full-time in her fields of specialty; is a self-appointed literary translator and a novice in free-lance writing.

- See more at: http://www.innerchildpress.com/h%C3%BClya-n-yilmaz.php#sthash.wn1PykRp.dpuf

The Forgotten Ones

Beneath the thick layer of indifference
I see creatures battered and beaten
by cruelty of no stoppage
In a carriage of no destination
Their hopes wander in rags
Shamed to live its name.

Beneath the thick layer of inhumanity;
I see children hugged by hunger
Their tomorrow to be spent in sorrows
Their sustenance in bowls
of coins
Earned by passionate pleas
of desperation
to quench the sufferings
that have kept them in wretchedness
of great torment.


Beneath the thick layer of injustice
I see creatures in fiery dungeons
Caged for ages
Holed-up in pits of no pity
Their joy locked up in bottles
Drunk by their oppressors.


Beneath the thick layer of faith
I climb the hills in haste
To see the future that gives future
To the 'futureless' ones.

Beneath the thick lines of positivism
I give my dreams rigidity;
By foreseeing the lines of marginalization deleted
Everyone clothed in no distinct robes
The forgotten ones absorbed by remembrance.

Written by: Kolade Olanrewaju Freedom

My First Poetry Book

I had just come in from an exhausting work on a Friday (31st of May, 2013 ) when I saw an essay contest online for poets who wanted to get their books published but had been limited by limitations. Seeing such great opportunity , I acted instantly by writing an essay titled "My Poetry Speaks' on the spot without any special preparation; passion was at work. I had published no book then and was determined to have my poems in a book for readers to read and be impacted positively.

Months later,the result came in,and miraculously I made the first cut of 28 essayists and was given the scholarship to publish a chap book with Inner Child Press in the United States.

What you see in the picture is the product of the essay, and on Monday 2nd of December, 2013 , it will be available for sale!

A big thank you to Inner Child Press for creating such great opportunity for my ability.

Are we prepared to welcome the birth of a new book?
I will be forever grateful for every help rendered to make book's existence fruitful.


Thanks,   

Book is now available,purchase here:

www.innerchildpress.com/kolade-olanrewaju-freedom.php

A Nigerian Cultural Poem By An American Poet (Siddartha Beth Pierce)

Amazing Siddartha From The United States Writes A Descriptive Poetry On The Nigerian Culture. 

She shared this poem with me in my inbox, and I was lost for words,I couldn't believe a foreigner could possibly know more than a native...stunned, I also decided to share below:

Baule spirit spouses 

are the belief among 

an African people wherein 

there is also

a husband or wife in heaven 

for everyone- 

So they create sculptures 

and ritually care for them 

once a week 

by feeding them, 

bathing and sleeping with them 

to keep them near their sides. 

Similarly, the Nigerians create 

Ere Ibeji figures as twins birth 

are very common there 

and there is a high 

fetal mortality rate 

and these figures 

stand for the dead twins or twin- 

they are worn in a sash 

around the mother 

and ritually cared for 

and dressed much 

like the Baule spirit spouse figurines. 

Carved from wood 

and adorned with cowry shells 

and scented oils 

the Ere Ibeji are later 

passed down the family line 

either to a surviving twin 

or an aunt or another child 

once an adult 

to honor the dead spirit 

of their family 

and keep their souls 

appeased and comforted. 

Honorable traditions 

for the dead 

mapped out in sculpted hands 

African traditions 

that I have learned in my studies

in graduate school 

that inspire awe within me 

as the amount 

of homage and respect 

for the dead doesn't end

at burial or the mark 

upon the tombstone 

but is carried on 

for generations throughout 

every week and day 

so that they are not forgotten. 

© 2008 Siddartha Beth Pierce

 

Ms. Pierce is a nationally and internationally published poet and artist as well as a Mother.  Some of her works have appeared in The Indian Diary, After-Nyne, Issuu, The Artist in You, The Dead Mule School of Southern Literature, The Muses Review, Budzu’s Hammer, and Blue Fifth Review.  Much of her work can be found at writerscafe.org. -

- See more at: http://www.innerchildpress.com/siddartha-beth-pierce.php#sthash.E2QiHOgq.dpuf

We Give Thanks Unto Thee

The sky did darken
The earth did shake
Evil did prevail
Good did travail
But for a while
But for a season
As a new light ushered in hope
To disperse the gross darkness.


I arise today
into the sunrise of gratefulness
My friends live
Their happiness not defiled
Their blessings not cursed
Their smiles not imprisoned
By calamity not repentant.


Their land not ravaged by doom
Peace rejoices; no sound like boom
Their land not hugged by disaster
No barrenness to appraise as a star.


Need I say more ?
Arise O tongues and give praises
Fall on the ground O you knees
And adore Him who made you 'kneelful'

Happy Thanksgiving Day to all my lovely friends in the United States, you are loved!

Poem by: Kolade Olanrewaju Freedom

Picture Source:

cpitlibrary.wordpress.com

TEAR MY HEART OPEN

Tear my heart open
To gaze at a golden rose
Seated on a golden throne
Crowned with a golden diadem
Clothed in a royal apparel
of golden linen.

Tear my heart open
to gaze at the lighted candle
that melts the metallic cage of loneliness
to bring me into the well of joy
where sinking is preferable to floating.

Tear my heart open
to see beauty never seen before
to see smile that makes you walk a mile
before realising you are lost in lust.

Tear my heart open
to tear the seal of a star
whose brightness defies normality.

Tear my heart open
to see love overwhelm you
but take just a glance
lest you be enslaved.

~~THROUGH POETRY~~(International Collaboration)

Ligaw Makata( Philippines)

Through poetry; 

we build a bridge

to convey our message 

our heartfelt healing 

words of comfort and wishes. 

Through poetry 

Let our pens amalgamate 

Let our hearts' oneness knit 

for our brothers & sisters sake 

we shall unite as one to rejuvenate.

Kolade Olanrewaju Freedom (Nigeria)

Through poetry;

The pains will be chased away

Sad memories will be laid to rest

Comfort will be dispensed

as air for all to inhale.

Through poetry;

The mountains shall crumble

The lousy storm will be silenced

Cries parading on faces will be dried

Hearts bleeding will clot.

Dedicated to all victims of the Typhoon Haiyan.

I WIN (A poem from THE LIGHT BEARER)

Gross darkness makes soul's vision cloudy

Worries call my courage dowdy
Fears laugh my resilience to scorn 
Tears wear my heart as cloth
But eyes refuse to let tears drop.

I float like clouds
Into the midst of mist
Focus lost; dreams fading
Suddenly, I see rays of light
White clothed creatures extend hands
Hands of support and love.

They speak words;
Words become swords
Fears and worries slain
I win!

To read other powerful poems contained in THE LIGHT BEARER, order for your copies here:

Amazon uk: www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1492940577

Amazon U.S: www.amazon.com/dp/1492940577

Kindle edition:
http://­www.amazon.com/dp/B00FP86PY2

 — with Moses Chibueze Oparaand 17 others.

The Light In Words

The Light In Words

An iroko is not cut
with a single cut
a mountain is not climbed
with a single climb;
a dying world can be revived
not with a word
but with words that are triggers;
catalysts of positive deeds.

I have chewed kolanuts
from dawn to dusk
silently praying that peace be restored
yet my eyes will not sight peace
in her beautiful regalia
yet my ears will not hear
peace sound roaringly
like the voice of many waters.

Why should peace suffer the world
like an abiku in the hands of a widow?
Nay! I say nay!
our deeds as humans are inhuman
and with our own hands
we stab peace right in her heart
by denying love in our heart.


When words become swords
blood is not shed
but light is shed;
the unknown made known
the right way to tread
is lighted for all to see
stolen peace kept in darkness
is restored by the light in words.


Written by: Kolade Olanrewaju Freedom, author of THE LIGHT BEARER.

Arise O Africa

Arise O Africa

O Africa, arise out of obscurity
To give your glory security
O Africa, flee from corruption
to release your beauty from detention
Wash away your filthiness
Shrouding your greatness
O Africa, arise and shine.

O Africa, why look beggarly
When treasures housed by you
Begs to be harnessed?

O Africa, your children mourn
Hunger scorns them
Poverty beclouds them
Their skins are keen
To fall off their body
Hope lost like a needle in darkness.

O Africa, darkness envelopes you as air
Why should that be so?
"Boom" "krrrrrrrrrrr" "gbos" I hear
I need to flee
It seems peace has been stolen again
This poem must be laid to rest
Let me find safety for my head.

Ah! Africa, where is the future
When the present resents peace?
Ah, I could still hear wailings
Will these cries not cease?
When will your rising be
When you have fallen greatly?

Arise Africa, O Africa arise
Dust off your feeble knees
Arise Africa, O Africa arise
Quench the tears of your children.

Written by : Kolade Olanrewaju Freedom

Author of The Light Bearer @

Paperback
www.amazon.com/dp/1492940577

Kindle edition:
http://­www.amazon.com/dp/B00FP86PY2 — with Anyi Charles Egbe, Gideon Dashe, Faeo Lyre Clive and 58 others.

Tags: Love and inspiration

Tag PhotoAdd LocationEdit

Unlike ·  · Unfollow Post · Share · Edit

• You, Marshall G. Kent Sr., Ajarn Wu Hsih, Seth Boss Kayand 49 others like this.
• 8 shares
• View 35 more comments
• 

  Jaydeep Sarangi Touched! Keep it up...wishes!

  November 3 at 1:28pm · Unlike · 2
• 

  Mhc Baron I love humanity! I love Africa! I love Mother Earth!

  November 3 at 5:19pm via mobile · Unlike · 3
• 

  Kolade Olanrewaju Freedom @Poetess Adedayo, you are right, the Africa of our dreams lives in our acts. We all have roles to play before the goal of change is scored.
  
  @Jaydeep,honoured to have your comment, I am inspired....See More

  November 3 at 11:11pm · Edited · Like · 1
• 

  Vincent DaSoulstriker S'khosana KaNovaphiOh Africa I beg you rise
  No matter how long the distance.
  Glow like stars in the night....See More

  Yesterday at 5:08am · Like · 3
• 

  Seth Boss Kay Africa shall indeed arise!!!! This poem is awesome

  Yesterday at 11:35am · Like · 1
• 

  Jaydeep Sarangi my earnest wishes and love!True!