MY FATHER IS ALSO A SON TO MY MOM

 
Only today, I got to realize how much a boy he is still.

Tina (my mum) had always cautioned Philip (dad) against his impenitent habit of adding raw salt to an already cooked meal.

She would go from scolding, to soothing. All to no avail. One day she went as far as scaring him by saying he was going to develop Parkinson's disease if he didn't stop consuming raw salt. But the man, just for the sake of calming the heat promised to stop that day.

But did he?

In the earlier hours of today. we were all home except for my only brother, in observance of the public holiday.

The couple were gossiping a friend of there's who wouldn't stop alcoholism and has now developed a kidney failure, when Nora served dads white rice and stew.

Mum was already tying a towel loosely around her pectus. Ready to have her bath.

Changing the channel, I couldn't help but observe dads sudden restiveness with his wife's presence. I could see through his heart, he wanted her to excuse him.

Mum stood and made to the bathroom after her last speech about "how men do not value their lives like women" of course Philip agreed with a strong node, supported with a loud yes. Anything to make her leave immediately.

I had to go back to my sweeping in the kitchen, after successfully changing the channel to African magic family.

Behind me, came a kri shri sound. It was coming from the cupboard.

Dad was stealing salt again.

I made a sharp turn, just in time to find him hushing me with his thick index finger to his closed smiling lips.

I held the explosive laughter that came creeping out from my inside, but I couldn't hold my mouth.

"mummy" I called, "Philip(daddy) is stealing salt"
Dad ran off the kitchen, now laughing.

"leave him, when his hands start shaking, I will be in my in-laws house enjoying my daughters. I will not suffer with him" mum hammered from the bathroom.

How nice it felt, knowing that even my dad is scared of my mums fury.

Truth is, she simply wants him healthy and strong for her.
#daddy can fear mummy too.

All Rights Reserved @ Juliet Iwuoha Philips 2017

A TRUE IGBO SPIRIT

I am an Igbo woman, core Igbo (no apologies) Anambra to be exact!

Where I come from, women cook and we are very good at it.

I mean Great meals like Ofe akwụ, Ofe onugbu, Ofe ọha, Nsala, Ukwa, Isi ewu, Nkwobi....We don't do much of fried rice,Noodles...

Our mothers cooked for their husbands.

That is our STANDARD and we are not deviating!

In fact, our young men start adding weight once they are married.

That's an effect of our cooking, yes, we are so good like that!

About our men, they are HUSTLERS!!!

And God does bless their hustles.

They provide, protect and fend for us (women) but that doesn't mean our women are lazy or incapable.

They only do more, women mostly support and encourage!!!

As you all know, most Igbo men are into business, just a few are into white collar jobs.

Their Sweat and Hustle are REAL but God is faithful!

A lot of them wear shorts and slippers and trek to shops, warehouses, sites etc. just so their wives can dress sophisticated, drive exotic cars and visit the Spa for skin treatments👌👏..You see Igbo wives looking all glamorous and stunning, my dear, it is mostly at the expense of their husbands' sweats!!

And you say we should not cook for these class of men???

You LIE!

We will pound YAM and AKPU for them join! 😂

Share please and stop all this #wifenotcook and #husbandnotATM nonsense....

Copied: 2017

BE READY TO MAKE SACRICIES, OSIBANJO TELLS NIGERIANS

What more sacrifices do you want from Nigerians?
You increased fuel pump price, we accepted it.
You increased electricity Tariff, we welcomed it.
You increased Dollar rate, we stood by you.
You stopped importation of rice, we did not complain.
You closed the borders to tokumbo cars, we still said OK.
You promised us electricity after the increase, we are yet to see it.
You promised us better economy, we are still expectant.

With all these and more, food items soared high.
Nigerians can no longer feed.
Rice, bread, garri, palm oil and all other food items are gone with the winds.
The roads are gone.
Transportation went to the roof top.
Private sector have relieved workers of their jobs 

States can no longer pay salaries.
People can no longer feed.
People can no longer pay rent.
People can no longer pay school fees.
The civil service has become redundant.
Civil servants have become researchers researching into loan facilities to survive. 
Salaries can no longer sustain homes.
People are begging to feed.
People now commit suicide as quick option to slow death.
What more sacrifice can a people offer to their leaders?
Sacrifice of blood?

Is this not slavery in our own land?
What did we do wrong to deserve this from our leaders?
So many wonderful promises, yet no hope.
I think it is time for the politicians to make sacrifices.

Copied.....

JUST LIKE YESTERDAY

Was it not yesterday I held you in my hand
Walk you down to school and back
You are all grown up now
I couldn't believe you were once my little sister 

Though life is too short to live all our dreams
We always stay close, looking up to God 
Life is fun, exciting and memorable
When spent with love ones 

We are a perfect team, one big family
The rain can't take that away, neither does the sun
Should the world need inquire about you
Who best tells your story but you

Happy Birthday!!!
With Love from your Big Brother 

All Rights Reserved © Akan E. Udofia 2017

DEAR MR MOON

Happy Children’s Day.

Dear Mr. moon up the sky

How I wonder how you are

Around the stars you always smile

And gave hope to the night

How do you do Mr. moon

Can we be best of friends, me and you?

I am so eager someday to meet you

To have little stars of my own too

Before I go to bed Mr. moon

I have sent a post card of my wishes to you

A hug for my parents, friends at home and school

For all their dreams to come true

All Right Reserves © Akan E. Udofia 2017

MERCIFUL LORD

Merciful Lord, mighty lord
May thou name be exalted
Through tempest and raging storm
Peace and joy in the heart restored

There is something amazing about You
In Your presence nothing is impossible
Impatiently when I disobeyed thy words
Never turned me down but forgave my unfaithfulness

I am grateful for the hills and fountains
The beauty of the flowers, tress and grasses
Thou created man in thy beauty and likeliness
Gave him dominion over the lands and seas

Thy son through human pain and humiliation
Paid the ultimate sacrifice for human retribution
Today, I can walk boldly amidst the enemies camp
No harms befall me, You are always by my side

All Right Reserved © Akan Udofia 2017

A FATAL EXPERIENCE

He is a good lad, excellent grades out of secondary school
Admitted into a top university with high hope and expectation
Just like a bad wind tossing sands into the eyes on a beautiful day
All his parents love and admonition could not hold down is dreams to stay

Started smoking, drinking and hanging out late in the club
In company of bad birds flocking together in the dark
Always broke and unsatisfied, stealing abrupt
Took the compassion of a mother's grace to noticed the changes in his eyes

Something gone amiss but son keeps hiding behind frequent lies
Grades getting worst, so also his relationship with family and friends
A medical doctor, whom to look after mom when she is off age
But attitudes broke out wide such that his world could not be tamed

On a cloudy day in September, a car quietly pull over on the lawn
We were all sitting together, in front of the boys hostel
Four boys stood out of the car with gunshot blazing, everyone took to their heels
Wasn't until the car let, I noticed David lying in a pool of his blood

Dead on the spot, to mama, a terrifying news I couldn't break
Can't bear to see the devastation in her eyes
The gangs where caught, a few days too soon
News broke out that David belongs to a suspected rival cult group

No one saw this coming, not even me, for he was such a well bred child
Often fond of and blessed with all the love in the world
If only he knew one wrong choice would cut off his prime
Just about a semester away our final year in medical school

I learnt that faithful day, the company we keep goes a long way
Affecting the right or wrong decision in life we make
One question keep lingering in my unsettled mind
For such a regretful demise, who bears the blame?

All Rights Reserved © Akan Udofia 2017

ANGEL

Good times bring memories
Of the people we love in our lives
Like touching the moonlight
Feeling the smile of the sun

When ever I am feeling down
Knowing you're around gives me joy
Your love and care is immeasurable
Like trying to catch a shooting star

All I know is you are amazing
A flower that blossoms season after season
With you every moment is beautiful
For you are an angel

Dedicated to Abraham Kadiri

All Rights Reserved © Akan E. Udofia 2017

HE RESTORED MY SOUL

From the palms of death, He restored my soul
Fought every battle the enemies wedged at me
The violence man set ambush all about me
Yet I walk in and out in the threshold of His glory

Who are mine to be counted worthy
To stand and behold your presence Lord
You are the king of kings, creator of heaven and earth
Blessed man with gladness of a unique heart

Each day is a testimony of Your grace upon me
Indicating the rise of a new sun above me
A birth of greatness yet abound
Until this borrowed life is at her end

I could never see sorrow again
No reason to wait through hamattan for the rain
For everyday spent with You
Is sweeter and glorious in full

There is never a moment of distress
A drop of divine care and love, I did not lose
In a world purged to an eternal condemnation

Thy blood breath in man new hope of resurrection

All Right Reserved © Akan E. Udofia 2017

LOST ROMANCE

I see you knocking on door of my heart
Asking to let you in tonight
It got me feeling awful and sad
Trading my pride to a patted end

What you seek, I no longer have
Can't afford a heart broken twice 

I met you, whom thought to be an angel
Loved you very much, the world can tell

You took me on a regretful rail
A journey build on violence, deception and lie
I have no more self believe, my shell is empty
I took all the trashes out

I have got no more conviction

A heart but of redemption
Sold into slavery for love
Emotion shut in a shelf

All Rights Reserved © Akan E. Udofia 2017

FEELINGS THAT WE HIDE

No one cares about you
If you can't confide in you
To find true happiness
The heart should not be amiss

Feelings that we hide
Limits the potential to thrive
Positive perception to life brings about
The quality of who we truly are inside

All Rights Reserved © Akan Udofia 2017

AN INTERVIEW WITH MY EX

AN INTERVIEW WITH MY EX

Ex: How have you been?
Guy: I don't feel good, life has not been fair.

Ex: What happened, I hope you are not down the weather today?
Guy: I caught the flu since the moment I set my eyes on you. Think I am sick in my heart.

Ex: What you trying to say?
Guy: What I am saying is.. I made a terrible mistake letting you walk away. 

Ex: But whose fault is that? 

Guy: I never said it's your fault, just that I have been living with guilt lately and it's tearing me apart. 

Ex: You should have known better, but why didn't you stop me from leaving?
Guy: I asked myself the same question every day but eluded trying to figure it out. 

Ex: Well, don't you think its a bit late for that?... 

Guy: That's was what I thought at first but felt warmth on my pillow only whenever I think of you. It's like no one touches my heart, not like you used to.

Ex: But it will be hard to forgive and forget what you did to me.
Guy: On my knees saying I am sorry from the depth of my heart, back then I was a juvenile who didn't understand the meaning of love. That was foolish of me, I do hope you forgive me. 

Ex: But I caught you sleeping with my best friend.
Guy: Yes you did, I don't have an alibi, it's a one-time weakness because I was vulnerable inside.

Ex: I am in love with someone else, sorry, I don't think it can work out for both of us anymore.
Guy: I am not saying it will, but can we give it a fresh try, please can we? I want to be your Romeo, this time I am willing to die for you. I will leave the world behind for you. 

Ex: Are you crazy?
Guy: Yeah I am crazy, I will never be sane again if you are not part of my life.

Ex: But you hurt my feelings, why should I even think of putting up with you?
Guy: everyone makes mistake, it helps us to grow, but believe it when I tell you it hurts me even more. I have lost my appetite and zeal. I have lost everything thought I had, Including my sense of humor. 

Ex: I don't believe a dime what you just said, can you prove that to me?
Guy: Will it do if I cut my heart and give it to you, or I could stand in the middle of the road and let you run me over.

Ex: What..You mean you can do that for me?...
Guy: Yeah, I will do anything for you, I will do all it takes to win your heart back.

Ex: How about proposing to me, right here, right now...
Guy: Smile! I am a step ahead of you, here is an engagement ring I bought, safely stashed in the left inner pocket of my jacket. There is also a bottle of champagne on the back seat of my car so we can celebrate.

Ex: Wow, I am short of words, don't know what to say.
Guy: Please, say I do...

All Rights Reserved © Akan E. Udofia 2017

LOVE KILLS

 

If love kills
I would die a million deaths
Every second, minute, hour and day
All I think about is you

All Rights Reserved © Akan E. Udofia 2017

EVERY DAY WITH GOD

Everyday with Jesus is sweeter than the day before
Like a stream flowing from the mountain
His blessings throughout my life evolve
My heart filled with everlasting joy

Enemies encamped about to destroy me
Everywhere I go, He walks ahead of me
Like the length of the sky above the earth
Can't measure the greatness of His love

Today, I am a better woman
I can boldly walk around with a smile without harm
Today, I can sing and shout  to His grace
The stars never ceased to smile the rest of my days