Picture Source: http://jesuschrististhetruth.com/tag/cross/
©2016. Frances Kelvin Otung. All rights reserved
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Month: March 2016
Though I’m late with this week’s haiku, I’m not missing Ronovan’s challenge for anything. I keep wondering how he comes up with the words he brings, so contrasting yet by the time I started writing, I’m awed! https://ronovanwrites.wordpress.com/2016/03/28/ronovanwrites-weekly-haiku-poetry-prompt-challenge-90-friendshiver/
The Loss
Throbbing pain hits frame
Peace from an Ally, comforts
Giving Joy not loss
A Reassurance
I will be with you
Though the tremor comes to stay
I’ll guide you dear one.
Picture source: http://www.wellwithincounselling.com/grief-and-loss/
©2016. Frances Kelvin Otung. All rights reserved
It’s Writers Quote Wednesday Writing Challenge co-hosted by my dear Colleen and Ronovan and today’s theme is TRUST. I decided to give them two for the price of one. So here’s me attempting a fiction and what I love, poetry! http://silverthreading.com/2016/03/30/writers-quote-wednesday-writing-challenge-trust/
Reaching out his fingers, it nestles safely in Momma’s hands, smiling back at her knowingly as he puts his right leg forward, “I need to hurry across, I’m almost late for school. Mrs Allen had promised chocolates to everyone that came in before the bell rang today.” Grrrrrgghhhh, honk honk and swash as the car skidded towards the other end, Momma pulls me back to the kerb. “That’s a Zebra crossing for goodness sake! What’s up with you, dude?!” She yelled after the passing car.
Momma (my grand-ma), rarely called someone a ‘dude’, except in admiration or exasperation and this didn’t feel like no admiration, Momma was angry. I hate to be the one on the receiving end. Thump, and off she heads to the sky blue Mercedes-Benz that had come to a grinding halt. The driver was clearly agitated and afraid that he had hit me, oblivious of my grand-ma walking furiously towards him waving her weapon – the nude clutch bag my dad gave her for Christmas, before going off-shore. On sighting me somewhat shaken, standing on the school side of the road and staring down at my shiny black Clarks, the Mercedes-Benz driver heaved a sigh of relief; goes on his knees, shoulders bowed, he began to weep.
Out came the frustration from the sack letter he got last night, another from the quarrel with his wife (of 15 years) over his forgetting to buy milk for Missy and Jerry (the cats) on his way from work. Out came his anger at God for letting things go terribly wrong on his birthday…
“Why God? Why? You could have chosen another day You know!” he sobbed.
Momma stopped in her tracks, lowering her raised bag, the words dropped in her spirit; from a heart filled with compassion for one that nearly knocked down her grandson, Bennie, she says to him “Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him. – Job 13:15. Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. Psalm 46:10″ and walks back to Bennie whose mouth was open in amazement at what had transpired. “Let’s go get some chocolates, dude!”.
—END—
Trusting You
Coming at me from above and everyside
Finding no place to hide, I take it in stride
How long can I hold up this fight
When everything in me says ‘flight’
Whispers so soft and clear say “wait,
In Me, you need not pursue haste.
I had promised to be with you till late
How else can I get you to walk in faith?”
It’s hard I can see, my past testifies
Though the storm rages, and fire flies
Though stretched and pulled in all direction
I’ll trust You alone, it’s my life’s mission!
Picture Source: http://faithwriters.com/blog/2010/08/25/wednesday-word-trust-and-obey/
©2016. Frances Kelvin Otung. All rights reserved
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#Peter’s POV
Peter’s Point of View – my paraphrase
This Bros Jay sef!
I had been telling Him when He came to meet me and asked me to join Him in His movement that we had a no-nonsense government in place already – one that didn’t even let our own leaders rule directly, but He wouldn’t listen (as usual!). He went from picking me to those two ‘confused’ boys James and John, Zebedees sons, who are forever fighting over each other and they are not even twins. Bros, chose Matthew – a much hated Tax-collector and a mix of some not-so-upwardly-mobile boys and to top it up, He added that guy with dubious past Judas. Shebi, He has seen where it led Him to – the death, and in the most ignoble manner of all – hung like a common thief. *Dis people get mind sha.
Come on! Let me ask you dear readers, what did Jesus really expect me to do in that situation? When those soldiers were everywhere and that little girl tried to expose me. Mehn! My people say, *‘to find way no be run, nah wisdom!’ I had to deliver myself from every accusation before they will hang not just one, but both of us. Who will continue the movement when He dies? I was only being wise for His sake.
After they hung Bros, things became tough, really hard and I needed to survive. At least when He was around, He used to do miracles, we will have bread and fish and leftovers sef. *The other time, nah fish bring us money! Bros Jay, if not for anything sha, I miss your miracles! You bin too much, abeg collect salute for where you dey. Twale!!!
As I was saying, I went back to Fishing. If it were you, what would you do? My CV was already tainted with the tagged ‘Activist, Instigating trouble wherever he goes’, how will I get any job (decent or not) with that? I went back to the seas, it didn’t ask for CV or for Referees, it just accepted me back like that. As for the others, they scattered in different directions. Tomorrow now, Jesus will ask “if I loved Him?” Should I used rope to tie the other ten disciples together? That dubious fellow whom I warned Jesus about had hung himself too and he didn’t even enjoy the money he betrayed Jesus for!
Hmmm, it is well.
Words in Pidgin English:
1) These people are really bold
2) To find a way of escape is wisdom
3) The other time, a fish brought us money. Brother Jay, if not for anything, I miss the miracles you did. You were on point! My respects are in order for you.
Picture Source: http://inspiredfountain.com/2007/06/27/get-out-of-that-boat/
©2016. Frances Kelvin Otung. All rights reserved
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#Remember
Jesus’ Point of View – my paraphrase
It’s been a long while ago I died!
In those days (even now), when people died, those alive mourned, they were saddened by that loss – because they weren’t going to see the person anymore. Or perhaps at the remembrance of how good the person was to them and how they will miss their benevolence or presence. But not so with me, and thinking about it, I’m wondering what I ever did wrong to deserve this. Oh! I remember, maybe once, I called them names. But between you and I, you would agree that name described them very well – Brood of vipers! Oh, I can never forget how flushed their faces became from the senior to the least priest nor how the blood drained from their faces and they became white! LOL. Hilarious!
But is that enough reason to hate me so much?! And before I forget, I also whipped and drove at those merchants (oops men of God) from the temple. It is a place of worship, I’m not sure who decided that selling there would bring more people. Did I tell them I was into networking or soul-winning?
Beyond that and maybe some personal grouse they had for me, all I did was good for them and yet when they had the chance, they whipped me bloodied, made me drag the cross from the city to Golgotha. I had to slice through the thickness of their hatred to get to the place of execution. The humiliation, the jeers, the stones, the rotten fruits they threw, the vinegar, the lewd words, they even played *Kaalu-kaalu over my clothes! No iota of respect for one about to die and for what? A trial without concrete evidence! They accused me of speech, that I said “I am the Son of God.” Am I not?! Why would I prefer a name I am not to the One I Am, funny bunch! I Am the Truth and I don’t do lies like their father, that ancient deceiver. I don’t have his time right now, let me address the issue at hand.
As I was saying before I went on history lane, how come when I died they rejoiced! No one was sad (except my mother and John), my beloved John! And where did Peter go shortly after that – to fish! Is that all I meant to him? One would think that after denying Me, he would look for ways to make up. Did his business mean so much to him than the Kingdom? Did he not understand when I said “seek ye first the Kingdom of God and all its righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you!” Peter, dear Peter, I gave you an earlier sign that these things would happen. I even told you to be careful that the deceiver was seeking permission to render you useless, but you refused to listen. For someone that knew so much, you broke my Heart!
Word in Pidgin English:
*Kaalu-Kaalu: Gamble
©2016. Frances Kelvin Otung. All rights reserved
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Celebrating Sunshine!
Some weeks back, maybe a month, I was thankful for Sunshine and did an article on her.
Well, it was Sunshine’s birthday on the 24th and she’s 14! I’ve been there with her from birth and watch her grow delightfully. She’s been one of my inspirations for writing. Actually, my first journal was on her titled ‘Through Veda’s Eyes‘, by the time you get to read this journal, you will get to understand why I named her “Sunshine”.
Sunshine and her family
Love those eyes
Last White Christmas
Some years back, can’t remember how old she was
Sunshine
With Miranda
and some of her aunties plus Mum
She’s a breath of fresh air
With dark curly lovely hair
Her quest to know more is one each blessed child portrays
Understanding early commitment, she queried as we played
“Now you have worn another ring, what will Uncle Kelvin says?“
She helped, as we struggled to release my finger, Oh, the pain!
When we succeeded, “don’t do that again“ the reprimand came
From my little, sometimes mischievous but brilliant dame
She knows what she wants and how to get it from me
I would love to say no, but for this one, I’m stuck, no free!
Happy Birthday my baby
If you forget anything, always remember I yob you so much, so much!
©2016. Frances Kelvin Otung. All rights reserved
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#TuesdayThoughts – Listening
And you will make a new start, listening obediently to God, keeping all his commandments that I’m commanding you today. God, your God, will outdo himself in making things go well for you: you’ll have babies, get calves, grow crops, and enjoy an all-around good life. Yes, God will start enjoying you again, making things go well for you just as he enjoyed doing it for your ancestors. – Deuteronomy 30:8-9 (MSG)
“Keep listening, Job. Don’t interrupt—I’m not finished yet. But if you think of anything I should know, tell me. There’s nothing I’d like better than to see your name cleared. Meanwhile, keep listening. Don’t distract me with interruptions. I’m going to teach you the basics of wisdom.” – Job 33: 31-33 (MSG)
I’ve always loved reading this particular part of the bible that deals with Job and I find his conversation with God here amusing.
©2016. Frances Kelvin Otung. All rights reserved
One of my look-forward-to-on-Mondays is Ronovan’s Weekly Haiku challenge. Yesterday’s was on https://ronovanwrites.wordpress.com/2016/03/21/ronovanwrites-weekly-haiku-poetry-prompt-challenge-89-showerplay/
So today I’m back to my weekly two-in-one poetry. Let’s hear what you think.
Shower Time
Questions pour like rain
Why this? Why that? Mom! Pray tell
Giggles, wince, soap’s out!
A Time to Blossom
Sprinkles from the hose
In response, the flowers spread
Spring calls all to play
Picture Source: http://www.firstpost.com/world/1800-children-worldwide-die-daily-due-to-unsafe-water-un-report-671648.html
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/529243393680953701/
©2016. Frances Kelvin Otung. All rights reserved
My friend Ebony wrote me this poem many years back. Then I think we had pulled apart a bit, can’t remember the reason for that friction but it was something that shook us. Being a deep person as she is, I couldn’t fathom how we allowed a 3rd-party spoil our friendship. This was like a reassurance that all was well.
We are far apart now (distance-wise), but our friendship is one you know that will last many oceans and seas. She was around recently (though briefly), but it felt like we never parted. To all those out there that maintain friendship regardless of years past/distance creation, this is for you!
Hello Ivory,
How have you been?
How have you really been?
Just using this medium to express the position of my heart
It’s been so long since we bonded
And it’s beginning to look like the bands are destroyed
But that devil is a liar
I miss you so much that even words cannot express
You know sometimes I lay back and I ask myself what ever happened to us
What ever happened to our cords that cannot be broken?
What happened to our hearts being open?
What happened to our going out of our way?
To make sure the other is okay
Or maybe just doing things for the fun of it
And creating memories so we can flashback as we sit
I want you to know that you are one of my priceless jewels
You are the one I call ‘Pearl’
Because you are lustrous and greatly prized for that
You are usually white and people are attracted to that fact
You are very rare and very precious
Your fragrance is like Jasmine
Warm and very temperate
Produced with white flowers
You are like an antique in my museum
You are a souvenir on my shelf
And you are the fair part of myself
You know that we can’t be separated
I’m the chocolate and you are the ice-cream
I’m poured all over you
And there’s nothing you can do
That’s why you are IVORY
You are delicate
And your milky color depicts your softness
I’ve always known that you were tender
How could I have treated you with such stiffness, I ponder
But then I remember
That I am Ebony
And my blackness stands for hardness
That’s why our blend is perfect
And whichever way
Two can play
When you are so sensitive and vulnerable
My hardness creates a balance
And when I’m so stiff and stubborn
Your tenderness and softness fulfills that instance
Sometimes we exchange our roles
And we always come out with a spark
Not “Gordon spark”
The reality I have for you
Is one that can’t be tarnished or finished
It flows from the depths of “forever”
And it will spun the whole world until it finds its rest in you
All I’m trying to say is that you mean a lot to me
And just like the sky
You are a constant in my life
People may come and go
But you will always stay
You might stray
But I know you’ll bring back a lot of pay
Because no one is graced to take that place
And run that race
It is a fierce and rocky journey
And I need you to keep up the pace
You are like an ink stain
On a white piece of cloth, very conspicuous
I could keep on
But whatever my heart says is summed up in these four sweet words
“I LOVE YOU, BABY!”
©2016. Frances Kelvin Otung. All rights reserved
Today, I did just one Haiku. Any reason? I’ll let it pass, but I hope it makes you want to check Ronovan out and all he has to offer. Are you aware of his book? Go check it out!
From a Father’s heart
I know My plans Child
To lift you up and higher
Into My purpose!
Picture Source: http://penningtonhennessy.com/blog/bid/91971/Three-ways-to-improve-your-Personal-Business-Plan
©2016. Frances Kelvin Otung. All rights reserved
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