Motion Picture and the Nigerian Image
It must be so, I am a movie freak, but that cannot be a reason for deciding to contribute to this debate. It couldn’t be because I love to write about things, or so sure I could make more meaning about things than any other ordinary contemporary writers. Certainly, it couldn’t be because I cherish being amidst of discuss. Or, possibly, because I want to be heard; make fame from piercing eye into the dark-side, or the good that Nollywood has impacted to the image of the most populous black nation in the would. Or rather it impacts! However, I think, I decided on this in order to tease some of my countrymen. The stance I take may be considered a joke, but are practically true. Do not for this, bang down your interest. It would make no meaning if one thinks nothing good will ever comes out of an untested will such as this elaboration, considering all that could relate to it.
In all of this, my interest were induced from a definite acknowledgement of which in no second thought does, in real sense, covers a lot of things that can give our collective image a face lift. Of course, we know it! We are in a new age! The age not outside the mind, but of which is often being referred to as “Civilization”. Well, before I go further, I know I should be made to understand what is meant to be civilized. But then, my understanding could hardly be separated from a distinct knowledge that civilization only implies “maturity”. The culture which is of the mind; our mind-set about things related to the exigency of our existence.
What is our state of mind? What do we communicate of our self in present of others? In this part of the world, I discovered we are freak about things- new things that spark up a sense within us which often imitate other. There is no such incident that certain expressions of our self, coming from the within will not outlive our presence, or make more betterment of our self if only we could see within. Well, I do not hate the power house of parody but I dislike being held hostage to believe that I cannot do without them. Everything about this life is practically about us. Our self, in the absence of none! Though, we need others to improve ourselves in modality that can enhance our efficiency we need not, for this, turn a prisoner to our own imagination. Let alone sideline our practice. All we need is to work on our self to reverse to the trend of rediscovery master piece of which we were.
Particularly, I belong to this class of new age. And like every others, I had my preschool in the western education where I learned the moon and the sun of this world of which is related to my immediate life. And bragging along her way, I had the good fortune to be told that becoming myself, is the best I could give myself and the rest of the world not loose head over the pack of thing that in the inner world would betray my conscience. I have however, to this knowledge live in an age of conscience – would not find myself derail. Or perhaps brag along the way of life with un-classic conscience of the newness of the world.
Contemporary life annoys me a lot. Deep in the mind of this age, however, it solidities it teaches of which if looked so deep upon would find nothing but the illusioning of it promising. The ideas that we could make more beauty, either our individual personalty, or the corporate heritage by a way of endorsing the systematic fictions of the general contentment of the new world will not mess-up the whole idea, could hardly not be placed under the falsehood. It is so! But the sense of a lame man that we are could hardly differentiate between things. Less the distinctive difference between the animate things of which we belong. This is the realness of things, and not the actual one that having imbibed western culture, need to do everything within our reach to do with everything that is their practice such as those things they overlook too.
Walking in half- nude, or appearing on nude and all the dogmatism practicing on motion is the madness of the west believing that nothing is new. Much of this causes us to loose head to our natural beauty and dignity. I used the word “dignity” not to paint a picture of the beauty of our naturalness but to lay emphasis on the value which in the classicism of our heritage needs not to be a prisoner to time-changing and the place of our culture in the contemporary world. To that end, the very way of our life should be frequently injected into whatsoever message we were to pass across. And not the unforgivable ways mostly used in our home video. I believe this is not our realness. This is a borrow attitude to things. More important, it is not true to say that every movie with a definite theme has a definite costume or that such movie should be specifically made for the purpose of embodying the real value of west. I do not see any reason why we see things this way.
A peep into the mind of average Blackman; it looks odd to say we appear ingenious, or that there is no definite difference between ourselves and the west. Particularly on attitude to contemporary life, we need not for this, over-emphasize our ingenuity that we would make sense to time-changing to the benefit of time; our time! Or that we could combine both to prove our faithfulness to historic movement –embody our heritage of which without a deeper look we often see it silhouette. This is to say practicing is a wind of moral energy; it blows mostly where we had function so well. Every living being born to a particular race has uniqueness just as there are instance of similarities that unifies them all. But then, a man has a root, traceable to a particular source which forms the bases, or the bedrock of his existed yesterday, or his past self still reflecting on his presence. This is true! We do not need another theology or philosophy or possibly a psychology to tell us what we need to know about ourselves. Well, I am not saying categorically that we should limit our self to thing within our reach. I am only saying in an essence that we should not fail to remember who we were; the individual dignity, then the collective image of our dear nation.
This is all we need to know about our self in reality of others. Not to alter our self believing the world of global sense of unattainable reality. In due course, we would realize every alteration we may want to make to our heritage in the name of civilization may never be endorsed in an age to come. Or, if it would ever reconcile the present with the past-self in order to make out a better future. Although, all we had learned of the new world was through the study in the map of western world (education), but this only help us into our acknowledgement of a true-self. In this case, we were only being taught on how to bring out the best that is in us.
I suppose we can now understand that the posture and costume we use on our home video should be more of our own way of telling the rest of the world what they need to know about us; the realness of ourselves which should not be to our own knowledge alone, but to the applauding hand of the larger world, and not this attitude of cultivating an aspect of selling ourselves to their lanquoring eyes. Or even our-self! So that is what I feel or see of certain thing showcase on some of the home video I come across. It is so! Atlas, the ultimate reality to know that every role played is an interpretation of a reality, or existed reality but oh! We seldom gave it a thought.
Instance of this elaboration can be seen of movies from Asia- China, Hong-Kong, India etcetera of which we find solace too, in watching here; The chasten to culture- coloured elaboration often kept me at bay. It made me to want to see more of this side of the human race so significantly difference from where I was born into. The artefactic colour- collaboration of both the posture and costume were all what is needed to corroborate the beauty of each theme as desired to be told. Not that such movies does not exist here! It does! Only that the gap in between it and those that does not were still unabridged. Movies base on culture, or acted as an epic only unifies us with the pass-self which in real sense should not be judge as yardstick for promotion of culture. Rather, this only reconciles us; the presence, to the pass, in colour or language we could best understands so as not to derail totally from our true heritage. I think perhaps, that there should be up-to-date practicing that will enable the use of our own make-up rather than the usual ones in the name of new age.
I understand, the habit of reading in this part of the globe is nothing to write home about. On the other hand, people find solace in things that could elate their daunted spirit resulting either from rush about daily life, or the so-called object poverty. It is true, only a mind thrilling to the ecstasy can find it a desiring to want to learn thing about life, his immediate environment, or possibly to equip himself with the knowledge of others, in books. To him, books were meant for bed-time story which is not mandatory that he must tell. This is true! Real- true, a dispirited soul need only music, or movies to awake their daunted spirit. In this case, the music or the movies to which occupied the vital part of means of either learning or seeing new things that can make their hope alive should be made more of a way to access one-self, or possibly to make oneself outride the dispirited soul in the embodiment of other.
It is true; what we set either our mind or our eyes on so often, or constantly, automatically becomes part of us. This is crucial, for it relates not only with the outside world, but with the one within us which form the exigency of our outer- would.
By experience, I had had a part of life that falls under this category. Going by an aspect of a definite habit I, along with crops of teen or kid had exhibited in those period of childhood; and on the course of watching those kongful movies of the early nineties. It was fun! How we would draw line, tie rope to both our head and our waist we would name each other a name most used for the protagonist. Someone or, one of us would agree to be called by one of the antagonist name-making the whole exhibition a real fun.
Jack-Chan happened to be one of our favourite heroes; going by his role in that debunk movie; the drunken master, and a host of other. We would fight each other without course. Making same sound used in movies Bar- ground. Watching Indian movies too, the sound of interpretable song that colours that air usually escalates our childhood spirit. If you had live in Akure, or possibly, in any part at Ondo State in early nineties, you will understand this prompt.
Well, these could be related to childish stuff, how about the grown up ones that often find their ways, or themselves to the doorstep of pragmatism. How about the two ways round of modeling- once you try watching any theme as you so concentrated on, you will soon realize you’re accustoming them. You will find it much less like you’d been played into doing same. You might not understand why. But you discover that the sense is no longer on your watching any particular movies, but on more easily way you come so close into proactive-ness. This is true about what we set our mind on. There is no doubt! It is one of the informal ways of learning life. That is why, in any masterpiece, or in whichever way a production is made, there is always a trait or traits left behind. This is very true! Every tale told has no end. It continued it telling in the life of individuals who made it a point to watch.
That is why in whatever role we decided for in either our private or public life, or even on stage we should never forget the model in our individuality.
In all of this, we should understand that anything is not suitable for any story as decided to be told. Reason! A tale is not a record of any events happening to people, but of the response to event. It should not be seen as a fiction because all fiction makes uses of human character. And it tells more about the real mankind that we are in a terminology we could best understand. That’s why I believe any story been told has no end. It goes on and on though in a new dimension.
More so, it does not occur to the artiste on stage or on picture that he/she is a same person. It is a most trivial point. But all of this was found answered to. It will not be true to say the role we play on stage, or posture is difference. This can only make pretence of our true nature.
Though, every artiste has a giving role. Yet, the best of each role given only come so well from the individual character (nature), or the skill within us which are best part of our uniqueness as a human- being. So when you hear someone saying life on stage is a different thing in it entirety. Ask him/her in a jiff what make the difference. And if at all, there is any of such as it can be said of, it’s all pretence of a hiding truth about an identity. Well, I am not saying we should take everybody as serious or unserious as they appear on stage as their real-self. Rather, we should see this as our self being played on stage. But then, we should know that there is element of truth in our other self which were best played to the public. In this case, the role being played, of which is our other identity should be more of what could enhance our good growth, both morally and materially. We should been seen as a moral nature. And this starts from how we were being seen on our movies.
I think it is time a reverse on the trend to which our home video is being run. We should not let the position we held now in the world movies industries to derail us. We should understand, this trend did not start over-night, and so should not prepare to run it down if immorality dominates the aspect of our movies.
If there is any better way of saying “our collective values are absolute” I think it should start from our individual self. What we want, and want we don’t want. We could usually make impact into eradicating misconduct or any how shooting of home video that litters the street by a way of maintaining a standard regarding roles. We should understand that the gain of a certain production is seeing that the work live for all time. And not just the present gain! But the immortalizing role is playing in everyone’s life.
This aspect of things about movies industry in Nigeria took me back in a trail to the nineties, the trend to which our movies industry runned. This period witness what is called “Renaissance. The country was made to be established at this period as a focal point of intellectual trends and artistic accomplishments, to the emulation of the sister country of the black nation. It is quit true, this period witness debunk of intellectuality in the showcase of both the storyline and the artistic vision from the individual artiste in the body of actors and actress. And it must be so; this period provided all needed excitement in movies. Reason! I love to be placed on suspense. I don’t like to unravel mystery before it eventually unravels. Keeping people in dark gives them the opportunity to be awakening. More important, it allows a debate on the next action. It’s like the events about life. We only know today because we’ve seen it. Tomorrow is yet unknown. So, same way, I see movies of this period as a masterpiece.
Well, I am not an actor, or a dramatist. Neither am I an onlooker mere studying the passing show about life. Nor a mere spectator of nature’s fairy- land or it highly side; nor a mere passerby, walking the road-side of the way of life in dark. I am who could easily be referred to as a gentle –ordinary man-making a wave in his own way of acting a certain part associated with Goodman’s life. There is a universe which my likes belong; a universe influenced by a definite harmony owning by a nature sparks with unending melody. I am of a kind, who responds to things- beauty and truth whether in book, in colour painting, or in the passion of poetry.
FELIX ORISEWIKE SYLVANUS
163b SILVER CRESCENT
JAKANDE ESTATE, ISOLO
P O Box 1270, MARINA
LAGOS STATE
Blizzfelxcoo72ng@yahoo.com
Thursday, March 20, 2008
OPEN LETTER, to Chidinma I
this is the story i intend sharing with you...take time to read it! afterward, i shall share the brief but details
OPEN LETTER; to Chidinma – On Going Away
No history is construe with another. Every tale told is a significance of itself – fashioned in it own way; not to the benefit of another but for the purpose of telling. But every reader of history – tale finds one thing or the other to act upon either by a way of emulation or by mere avoidance of same. No single man or woman has ever lived without having the opportunity of being exposed to the secret knowledge about his / her neighbour’s life, where they fell short, or possibly, the secret behind their success. Yes, all this can not and will never relinquish us from exercising what is within us. This is true. It could hardly be otherwise, except on the bases of difference in opinion which we form in response to situation. In-fact they are welcome, but only few individual will understand. Reason, they know that all human life is a bunch of contrast. So- they had learnt to take people for what they were made of.
Such as this, could not be said of you and me considering the brief moment we had together. But then, it would be difficult not to believe we did not cling well. Of course we did! Not only on the contour impression between the well click eyes, but on the coming close to share a part of life with each other. Instance of character trait though has no power over us – yet has played a role on this part of letting go.
Certainly, if we had had more time and space we would have found something quite difference and significance. Something so pleasant about you and I; two lovebirds who in no time would understand that in spite of common things about us there will be lots of thing that will come up which only culture of tolerance and understanding would help to overcome. It wasn’t so! We were young – two young lovers, and I understand we were yet to have all the access to decision making having outgrowth teen.
To some of us, in as much as we live under the umbrella of our parents we are still subject to whatever ruling that comes our ways regardless of opinion or choice. This is simply so! That is the stuff our society is made of. No doubt! But then, a child is a child, and he / she must be treated that way. Of course teen ought to be treated as teen with all manner of respect. Reason, this is a period of discovery. In this case, real parents help in that journey of self discovery by becoming a guided angel rather than imposing anything on the said individual. Nothing really works in cause of playing god. Rather they should look out for their strength, the object of their dreams or imagination. Or possibly what they spend most time in doing. Where urgent attention is needed, same should be done quickly. This is true about parents and children relationship. It gives them the room to share inter-personal things which is more than a friendliness sort of things. More important, it gives the access into each others way of life. Who both will not learn from one another? Of course they will. Parents learn meekness by being child while children learn life by virtues being around the grown one.
Well, I as a person can not in all respect boast of ever had this kind of parental relationship. Except during the upbringing of which is in-between my first six years as a child. I could only remember few things being close to them. All that I learn of life and my environment were in books which I had the good fortune to be exposed to earlier enough. I real lot-lots of books that cover space called human life. Much as I know and the style of life that has since become of me could not be found in lyrics found in books, the power house of music, the passion of poetry and the entirety interface with nature which in no small measure were found in the aspect of woman you are. The truth is, in all the above mentioned you had been paraphrased in form – the beauty which shall remain a beauty in this contemporary world and the very one to come.
Why am I saying this? When I came your, I gave no reason – it is risky to do that – believe me it’s really a risky to profess love to you at first meeting. That will only mean I am not telling the truth! You and I though bird of a feather, we wouldn’t have understood love could hit just like that. Reason, we were stranger – I have to that knowledge decided to come to you as a friend. Give you the opportunity to know which class of life I belong to, and in return have to study and know you despite the fact that I had a good knowledge of your kind of person by heart. All of this turned only an illusion. It pained me to know that we were unable to make man of such good things.
This isn’t a major reason for this piece. It is on your response to situation like this. How I too – had accept the outcome before I eventually left that part of the country.
It is not unusual not to come in the way of the world. It is unusual when related people come together in an unrealized circumstance. It is! This world that might remain a sensual one within is a kind put together even the whole other one was in total disarray.
The truth is your mother is an embodiment of something so indescribable. I own her all the respect to motherhood. Being alone in Benin , she made me to understand that I can make a home where I thought none could make me one. I was touched by her kind of gesture – love and acceptance. When she finds out we were in love her response toward me never changed, except when I decided to avoid all of you on the bases that you are running from me. She felt betrayed. And when I’d returned into that ford again I was accepted unconditionally, but you are venerably gone and out of reach.
Well, I am not writing to appease you, or to bring back to mind the moment already gone. This dilemma does not make me feel safe alone having decided to write you this way. Of course I am safe even without this, but all the great aspect of meeting you which was left unduly make me sick – not for myself but for the sense and sake of meeting you. For this I realize, in all, I shall continue to hate the idea of letting go. I certainly do not believe is a bad idea, it only means I can only make myself what I desire to be. I do not have power over another. So I should never dream of changing them to sweet my purpose.
Certainly I am not a kind of person who easily gives up on things. Neither do I disagree with the notion that when one door is shut another open. I strongly believe in dreams. Though, most make miserable of the presence, I think, perhaps, it only gives one the room to find out the true power of constancy about oneself in line with a vision of the mind at all time. More important, it gives s room to allow other things to take shape in our life. So – to this end, I leave the floor open for others.
Fortunately, everyone will have one thing to say. Not all will ever say the right things about you. Yet, this is the age of reason, often tag “civilization”. You see – everything is civilized. I mean everything about us, of which in a shared opinion would hardly not see the derail-ness of this society. That is why the rate of broken relationship and broken marriages is alarming. Everyone wants to be heard or reckon with. This truth is – nothing is wrong with that, but on the part of it application
True love as beauty as it is seldom happened between two perfect people. It’s either one is more influential, or vast in the field of life. Or that one is a teacher while the other is a pupil even in that grown up. To be a teacher and a pupil is to be speaker and a listener respectively in respect of status in life without considering the pain of subjecting oneself to such things that may look as demeaning one. By so doing – the two people involve will at the end grow together to become what is call perfect match, and the journey is done –
What is more? Long has the object of true love turned an illusion? What we often see today is only a business as usual. Average men and women believe love does not exit anymore. It is fashionable nowadays to tell someone you love them and in the next minute you frown at same. It is allowed – that is the stuff the society is made of. Yet – not in anyway has people discontinued this adventure that often left trait on them. Does this confirm our being afraid to be alone? Or that they just needed somebody to be with – share what is worth sharing or certainly, it would bring the fulfillment of creative purpose. Whether this is true or not, I cannot in all respect share this view. Reason, a view need not put aside the side of human dignity which were seldom consider whenever a case of calling off a relationship, or that of marriage is.
When you love someone – it is meant to be that way. Whether in thick, or in best of time, it is meant to remain the object of a part of life shared together in all sincerity regardless of what time bring. Reason! Life is not a bed of rose! So – whatever comes the way of lovers, ought to be a point showing each strength. All mankind must therefore show forth this altitude. Love is best seen in people who made up their mind to be a part of each other regardless of anything once they are convince that they are meant to be. To this end, we should never believe that everything about love is a fiction. If by a mere visualization, we concluded this way, we should understand that every fiction make uses of human character. As a matter of fact, what we call fiction is nothing but a replica of who we are in the object of our imagination.
The truth is that love exists, and it’s within the reach of every one of us. Whether young or old, man or woman, once you discover your place in God, the essence of living will be made manifested within in you. This is true about our individual – self in likeness of another.
Unfortunately, you and I never had a time of life. Only a form of defining of oneself – reason! Meeting you gave me opportunity of a journey of self discovery in a new way. And that’s all I’d live with – finding myself a place in the historical movement of this world. Indeed, you are part of my life! Only that you chose to go away.
More like I always wanted to reach you even when you never create such space again, I considered the possibility of not meeting you where we had both parted. The brief debate lasted for months. I decided then that since you are only a year away from college, it would not be advisable to come all the way from Lagos to Benin to profess love to you. Or to renew a commitment with you; to that end, I told myself a year is like a day and that would only reveal the full strength of my love for you considering the power behind returning to you after that interlude. This is only two years and eight months! I understand a lot has changed, we had changed too – you told me so. It took you minutes before you could recollect my name – less my face during the first telephone conversation. It is disappointing! I couldn’t trust that memory considering your mother quick recollection. What has gone wrong with your memory? After to all, memories don’t die – only people do. If to this time I shall no longer belong to you, my dear – it would hardly mean you belong to me. But then, you are still to me the perfect ordinary woman, and such that I can see going about life, you are unimaginable beauty of an incredible world. The world which is so dear to me
My love, I want you to know that love is being happy with someone who knows the truth about you, yet, decided to stay with you. Love will want to walk side by side with someone you love in the same direction in spite of the castrating eyes on street forming opinion – love soars on the wings of sharing experiences that are inspirational, humorous, exciting, or hopeful. Love could never be anything else if it can never be that when you look into the other person’s to find where your heart is beaten.
Chidinma, I don’t know if you really know that this is long tale about you and I. but I know you know, only that you were afraid your parents will scold you because I am a stranger, and a sojourner, – then, you were young. Did you ever discus me with your closest friend. Did you ever try to examine what I’m up to coming closer to you day by day by a way of drawing away from your elder sister whom is equally a friend? You are just more than friend to me. You are all I wanted. I fell in love with you even before meeting you and when I saw you, the real world was unveiled.
Meeting you had been momentary things, but it becoming clearer everyday that I did just meet you, I met you because I needed to and ever after, you reflect in everything that’s just to me. Everything that’s my dream – you really are rare; and I found joy always walking on the side of memory that’s you.
Do not think I had become so crazy about loving you. No! Love is not being crazy about someone or something; love is being temperament. Love inspires and excites. It uncovers the beauty part of our life in line with our dreams. A very sense of discovery! And that’s exactly what you’re to even at miles apart.
I remember you told you love poetry but don’t know how to write one. I remember it as if it were only yesterday. Well, I had written same to commemorate the brief moment we had together. Only to find out later you had been immortalized. To that end, you are far away while I can no longer behold your face. You never faraway because I see you every now and then; I don’t know why, but it might remain so!
One thing you should know is that once you establish an intimacy with someone, you will have an intimate relationship with that person for the rest of your life. This is the truth whether you are together, or apart, or certainly you are far away form one another, a part of that person will still be with you. Once two people fall in love, the love is always there to stay. You can’t push it away even if you want to. The excitement and the thrilling may fade but not the love; the love is just being buried by all the pain and the agony of human nature.
Looking at you now only in the tall mirror that lies in the eyes of the people always on the walkway, your reflection and this longing to talk and make merry with you again and again – if only we could just meet again, or probably afresh, and unfamiliar, or maybe familiar; then just forget about the running; if only time could return; or perhaps we could meet again – well, maybe that’s part of it all. We meet, and then part – but the most important thing is that we had met; and I will never forget you. Reason! Part of you had grown in me
Oh Chidinma, my love, my only dream! I don’t think I can ever be anything more to you than that I had never been. Though hope to – because hope believes that we can still meet if only there’s another place where we would. And altogether, I had left my heart in you -
In anyway you might look at things now, do not ever forget to remember that I am the poor boy who once fell in love with you. It is true, when I came your way; you never expect any gift from me. Neither do I – in that of the country. But these were the inevitable things about live! Anyway, I gave you one with all respect, and of which had exchanged for yours. Keep it is you so desire; and if otherwise, give it away. I shall find it again – though somewhere in age; that pieces of my heart-
Love unknown
Felix O. S.
OPEN LETTER; to Chidinma – On Going Away
No history is construe with another. Every tale told is a significance of itself – fashioned in it own way; not to the benefit of another but for the purpose of telling. But every reader of history – tale finds one thing or the other to act upon either by a way of emulation or by mere avoidance of same. No single man or woman has ever lived without having the opportunity of being exposed to the secret knowledge about his / her neighbour’s life, where they fell short, or possibly, the secret behind their success. Yes, all this can not and will never relinquish us from exercising what is within us. This is true. It could hardly be otherwise, except on the bases of difference in opinion which we form in response to situation. In-fact they are welcome, but only few individual will understand. Reason, they know that all human life is a bunch of contrast. So- they had learnt to take people for what they were made of.
Such as this, could not be said of you and me considering the brief moment we had together. But then, it would be difficult not to believe we did not cling well. Of course we did! Not only on the contour impression between the well click eyes, but on the coming close to share a part of life with each other. Instance of character trait though has no power over us – yet has played a role on this part of letting go.
Certainly, if we had had more time and space we would have found something quite difference and significance. Something so pleasant about you and I; two lovebirds who in no time would understand that in spite of common things about us there will be lots of thing that will come up which only culture of tolerance and understanding would help to overcome. It wasn’t so! We were young – two young lovers, and I understand we were yet to have all the access to decision making having outgrowth teen.
To some of us, in as much as we live under the umbrella of our parents we are still subject to whatever ruling that comes our ways regardless of opinion or choice. This is simply so! That is the stuff our society is made of. No doubt! But then, a child is a child, and he / she must be treated that way. Of course teen ought to be treated as teen with all manner of respect. Reason, this is a period of discovery. In this case, real parents help in that journey of self discovery by becoming a guided angel rather than imposing anything on the said individual. Nothing really works in cause of playing god. Rather they should look out for their strength, the object of their dreams or imagination. Or possibly what they spend most time in doing. Where urgent attention is needed, same should be done quickly. This is true about parents and children relationship. It gives them the room to share inter-personal things which is more than a friendliness sort of things. More important, it gives the access into each others way of life. Who both will not learn from one another? Of course they will. Parents learn meekness by being child while children learn life by virtues being around the grown one.
Well, I as a person can not in all respect boast of ever had this kind of parental relationship. Except during the upbringing of which is in-between my first six years as a child. I could only remember few things being close to them. All that I learn of life and my environment were in books which I had the good fortune to be exposed to earlier enough. I real lot-lots of books that cover space called human life. Much as I know and the style of life that has since become of me could not be found in lyrics found in books, the power house of music, the passion of poetry and the entirety interface with nature which in no small measure were found in the aspect of woman you are. The truth is, in all the above mentioned you had been paraphrased in form – the beauty which shall remain a beauty in this contemporary world and the very one to come.
Why am I saying this? When I came your, I gave no reason – it is risky to do that – believe me it’s really a risky to profess love to you at first meeting. That will only mean I am not telling the truth! You and I though bird of a feather, we wouldn’t have understood love could hit just like that. Reason, we were stranger – I have to that knowledge decided to come to you as a friend. Give you the opportunity to know which class of life I belong to, and in return have to study and know you despite the fact that I had a good knowledge of your kind of person by heart. All of this turned only an illusion. It pained me to know that we were unable to make man of such good things.
This isn’t a major reason for this piece. It is on your response to situation like this. How I too – had accept the outcome before I eventually left that part of the country.
It is not unusual not to come in the way of the world. It is unusual when related people come together in an unrealized circumstance. It is! This world that might remain a sensual one within is a kind put together even the whole other one was in total disarray.
The truth is your mother is an embodiment of something so indescribable. I own her all the respect to motherhood. Being alone in Benin , she made me to understand that I can make a home where I thought none could make me one. I was touched by her kind of gesture – love and acceptance. When she finds out we were in love her response toward me never changed, except when I decided to avoid all of you on the bases that you are running from me. She felt betrayed. And when I’d returned into that ford again I was accepted unconditionally, but you are venerably gone and out of reach.
Well, I am not writing to appease you, or to bring back to mind the moment already gone. This dilemma does not make me feel safe alone having decided to write you this way. Of course I am safe even without this, but all the great aspect of meeting you which was left unduly make me sick – not for myself but for the sense and sake of meeting you. For this I realize, in all, I shall continue to hate the idea of letting go. I certainly do not believe is a bad idea, it only means I can only make myself what I desire to be. I do not have power over another. So I should never dream of changing them to sweet my purpose.
Certainly I am not a kind of person who easily gives up on things. Neither do I disagree with the notion that when one door is shut another open. I strongly believe in dreams. Though, most make miserable of the presence, I think, perhaps, it only gives one the room to find out the true power of constancy about oneself in line with a vision of the mind at all time. More important, it gives s room to allow other things to take shape in our life. So – to this end, I leave the floor open for others.
Fortunately, everyone will have one thing to say. Not all will ever say the right things about you. Yet, this is the age of reason, often tag “civilization”. You see – everything is civilized. I mean everything about us, of which in a shared opinion would hardly not see the derail-ness of this society. That is why the rate of broken relationship and broken marriages is alarming. Everyone wants to be heard or reckon with. This truth is – nothing is wrong with that, but on the part of it application
True love as beauty as it is seldom happened between two perfect people. It’s either one is more influential, or vast in the field of life. Or that one is a teacher while the other is a pupil even in that grown up. To be a teacher and a pupil is to be speaker and a listener respectively in respect of status in life without considering the pain of subjecting oneself to such things that may look as demeaning one. By so doing – the two people involve will at the end grow together to become what is call perfect match, and the journey is done –
What is more? Long has the object of true love turned an illusion? What we often see today is only a business as usual. Average men and women believe love does not exit anymore. It is fashionable nowadays to tell someone you love them and in the next minute you frown at same. It is allowed – that is the stuff the society is made of. Yet – not in anyway has people discontinued this adventure that often left trait on them. Does this confirm our being afraid to be alone? Or that they just needed somebody to be with – share what is worth sharing or certainly, it would bring the fulfillment of creative purpose. Whether this is true or not, I cannot in all respect share this view. Reason, a view need not put aside the side of human dignity which were seldom consider whenever a case of calling off a relationship, or that of marriage is.
When you love someone – it is meant to be that way. Whether in thick, or in best of time, it is meant to remain the object of a part of life shared together in all sincerity regardless of what time bring. Reason! Life is not a bed of rose! So – whatever comes the way of lovers, ought to be a point showing each strength. All mankind must therefore show forth this altitude. Love is best seen in people who made up their mind to be a part of each other regardless of anything once they are convince that they are meant to be. To this end, we should never believe that everything about love is a fiction. If by a mere visualization, we concluded this way, we should understand that every fiction make uses of human character. As a matter of fact, what we call fiction is nothing but a replica of who we are in the object of our imagination.
The truth is that love exists, and it’s within the reach of every one of us. Whether young or old, man or woman, once you discover your place in God, the essence of living will be made manifested within in you. This is true about our individual – self in likeness of another.
Unfortunately, you and I never had a time of life. Only a form of defining of oneself – reason! Meeting you gave me opportunity of a journey of self discovery in a new way. And that’s all I’d live with – finding myself a place in the historical movement of this world. Indeed, you are part of my life! Only that you chose to go away.
More like I always wanted to reach you even when you never create such space again, I considered the possibility of not meeting you where we had both parted. The brief debate lasted for months. I decided then that since you are only a year away from college, it would not be advisable to come all the way from Lagos to Benin to profess love to you. Or to renew a commitment with you; to that end, I told myself a year is like a day and that would only reveal the full strength of my love for you considering the power behind returning to you after that interlude. This is only two years and eight months! I understand a lot has changed, we had changed too – you told me so. It took you minutes before you could recollect my name – less my face during the first telephone conversation. It is disappointing! I couldn’t trust that memory considering your mother quick recollection. What has gone wrong with your memory? After to all, memories don’t die – only people do. If to this time I shall no longer belong to you, my dear – it would hardly mean you belong to me. But then, you are still to me the perfect ordinary woman, and such that I can see going about life, you are unimaginable beauty of an incredible world. The world which is so dear to me
My love, I want you to know that love is being happy with someone who knows the truth about you, yet, decided to stay with you. Love will want to walk side by side with someone you love in the same direction in spite of the castrating eyes on street forming opinion – love soars on the wings of sharing experiences that are inspirational, humorous, exciting, or hopeful. Love could never be anything else if it can never be that when you look into the other person’s to find where your heart is beaten.
Chidinma, I don’t know if you really know that this is long tale about you and I. but I know you know, only that you were afraid your parents will scold you because I am a stranger, and a sojourner, – then, you were young. Did you ever discus me with your closest friend. Did you ever try to examine what I’m up to coming closer to you day by day by a way of drawing away from your elder sister whom is equally a friend? You are just more than friend to me. You are all I wanted. I fell in love with you even before meeting you and when I saw you, the real world was unveiled.
Meeting you had been momentary things, but it becoming clearer everyday that I did just meet you, I met you because I needed to and ever after, you reflect in everything that’s just to me. Everything that’s my dream – you really are rare; and I found joy always walking on the side of memory that’s you.
Do not think I had become so crazy about loving you. No! Love is not being crazy about someone or something; love is being temperament. Love inspires and excites. It uncovers the beauty part of our life in line with our dreams. A very sense of discovery! And that’s exactly what you’re to even at miles apart.
I remember you told you love poetry but don’t know how to write one. I remember it as if it were only yesterday. Well, I had written same to commemorate the brief moment we had together. Only to find out later you had been immortalized. To that end, you are far away while I can no longer behold your face. You never faraway because I see you every now and then; I don’t know why, but it might remain so!
One thing you should know is that once you establish an intimacy with someone, you will have an intimate relationship with that person for the rest of your life. This is the truth whether you are together, or apart, or certainly you are far away form one another, a part of that person will still be with you. Once two people fall in love, the love is always there to stay. You can’t push it away even if you want to. The excitement and the thrilling may fade but not the love; the love is just being buried by all the pain and the agony of human nature.
Looking at you now only in the tall mirror that lies in the eyes of the people always on the walkway, your reflection and this longing to talk and make merry with you again and again – if only we could just meet again, or probably afresh, and unfamiliar, or maybe familiar; then just forget about the running; if only time could return; or perhaps we could meet again – well, maybe that’s part of it all. We meet, and then part – but the most important thing is that we had met; and I will never forget you. Reason! Part of you had grown in me
Oh Chidinma, my love, my only dream! I don’t think I can ever be anything more to you than that I had never been. Though hope to – because hope believes that we can still meet if only there’s another place where we would. And altogether, I had left my heart in you -
In anyway you might look at things now, do not ever forget to remember that I am the poor boy who once fell in love with you. It is true, when I came your way; you never expect any gift from me. Neither do I – in that of the country. But these were the inevitable things about live! Anyway, I gave you one with all respect, and of which had exchanged for yours. Keep it is you so desire; and if otherwise, give it away. I shall find it again – though somewhere in age; that pieces of my heart-
Love unknown
Felix O. S.
poetry
UNAPT for Sylvia
You sang of dawn
Spring sunshine
Deflower flower chortle a dance
You sang of wood
Uplifted
Glum bird wags tail
You sang of brotherness
Gliding
down to dawn of life
I
A swain
Gird the loin
That in that sunlight may tap toe
But you swallowed all
The insurmountable melody
Before my very eyes
IN YOUR EYES
In your eyes
A river flows
Lapping
Lour eyes drained
Languor in it landslide
In your palm
A lilac sprouts
Swallowtail leaps
Halfway in hallmark, it hallowed lips
Canoodling in air
In your shadow sprightly
Sun in canoodling
Lashes in antics a eyes
That alternates two images
And in your eyes
A fine ferry punt
Sail –by
Two hands – passenger waving
Whose look is you and with me.
POEM, IN MEMORY –
Chidinma, young and ardourn
Sigh not when night comes, or when in peak
While you sigh, your sighing is integral breeze
It shall smack my man
My soul like eagle shall soar and may
Not find you amidst night like barricaded wall
Nor should you ever quail while walking the garden
To see you tearing, they shall flinch
The joyous garden; and what profit then
Happiness when Flowers of life shrink and toss off
And while you shall, my soul as a bee
May die of hunger.
Donot as when dawn comes
Lay as hen of running stomach
To see you in cold flinch
My soul as cock crowing may dance and dance
In vain round that ornery that unveil yieldness
Or so should ever shut at bird
You might not know which my soul
As songbird present; to see bird on each
Way is a rareness
That as constant as northern star
I shall in absence be in your presence
IRONY; - OF LIFE
Who - is that
Other eyes beside you
Walking on our walkway
Enticing you. Leg whirling in rendition
That in sunlight set the scene
That wheel unbound
But our infant dream in dark
I had no doubt - the luminary scene
Is toking of our two matched leg.
While I stared sidelong the life boulevard
When I count the leg
It was you and I
Weird leg solemnizing
Our sectional dream second to none
But while I look again
Into that nimbus of life, liased
An eyes, I saw such eyes giant
In your otherside
Stocking with laugh - lips that rips
Our infant dream
Like bud awaiting the sun’s fingers
I donot wish to know
Whether man or woman
Who - is that
Other eyes
Always on your side
F ELIX ORISEWIKE SYLVANUS
163b, silver crescent
jakande estate, isolo
p o box 1270, marina
lagos, nigeria
You sang of dawn
Spring sunshine
Deflower flower chortle a dance
You sang of wood
Uplifted
Glum bird wags tail
You sang of brotherness
Gliding
down to dawn of life
I
A swain
Gird the loin
That in that sunlight may tap toe
But you swallowed all
The insurmountable melody
Before my very eyes
IN YOUR EYES
In your eyes
A river flows
Lapping
Lour eyes drained
Languor in it landslide
In your palm
A lilac sprouts
Swallowtail leaps
Halfway in hallmark, it hallowed lips
Canoodling in air
In your shadow sprightly
Sun in canoodling
Lashes in antics a eyes
That alternates two images
And in your eyes
A fine ferry punt
Sail –by
Two hands – passenger waving
Whose look is you and with me.
POEM, IN MEMORY –
Chidinma, young and ardourn
Sigh not when night comes, or when in peak
While you sigh, your sighing is integral breeze
It shall smack my man
My soul like eagle shall soar and may
Not find you amidst night like barricaded wall
Nor should you ever quail while walking the garden
To see you tearing, they shall flinch
The joyous garden; and what profit then
Happiness when Flowers of life shrink and toss off
And while you shall, my soul as a bee
May die of hunger.
Donot as when dawn comes
Lay as hen of running stomach
To see you in cold flinch
My soul as cock crowing may dance and dance
In vain round that ornery that unveil yieldness
Or so should ever shut at bird
You might not know which my soul
As songbird present; to see bird on each
Way is a rareness
That as constant as northern star
I shall in absence be in your presence
IRONY; - OF LIFE
Who - is that
Other eyes beside you
Walking on our walkway
Enticing you. Leg whirling in rendition
That in sunlight set the scene
That wheel unbound
But our infant dream in dark
I had no doubt - the luminary scene
Is toking of our two matched leg.
While I stared sidelong the life boulevard
When I count the leg
It was you and I
Weird leg solemnizing
Our sectional dream second to none
But while I look again
Into that nimbus of life, liased
An eyes, I saw such eyes giant
In your otherside
Stocking with laugh - lips that rips
Our infant dream
Like bud awaiting the sun’s fingers
I donot wish to know
Whether man or woman
Who - is that
Other eyes
Always on your side
F ELIX ORISEWIKE SYLVANUS
163b, silver crescent
jakande estate, isolo
p o box 1270, marina
lagos, nigeria
Open Letter, to Chidinma
13 – 8 – 08
My love,
I have not heard from you! But by my intuition, I believe you are sound. I have seen your well-being in the way I am. It is the truth; that’s the way you and I was. Your blood flows in mine. For this, I am writing you another which might never get to you. But in hope, I believe you will someday read it! You would read and reread again - You will wonder why it took so long before you come across the piece. You might want to share tear; you might want to cry, you might want to drop beneath, but you will want to be strong. You cannot afford to share tear, or cry over what lies in the past. But one thing that will never let go within you is finding the piece more adorable than how you would have as a young girl that you are now. For this, the sun would rise again within your heart. You will remember I am the one you never wanted to forget but did anyway. The reason is not far fetch, you are much older, and more woman! You can tell when you love a man why you should. More important, you will understand why I keep returning to you when all hope of being with you is gone
Your presence in my life is by no mean a mistake. Our meeting, and the brief moment together was borne out of time. We were always there together in love within that space of time that has since become memories; the very salt of remembrance.
You are my first love!
Sometime I wish I never met you. Meeting you had changed so much of me. I had become another person in the portray of who I am now dreaming about life; and about you, my love – Chidinma within the same atmospheric nature of my dream world which is now obvious you‘ve being part of – from birth. Meeting you rejuvenate everything! And now, I only see what we could still share together in this play of destiny.
For once, I never understand, but I think I know better now! Our life together and the sudden estrangement is only an interlude which I had likened to soap- opera which shall have a happy end. In regard to this, I have it that meeting you are in line. Far too long I have dwelt upon this.
The question now is for how long I would have to wait to meet you again, my only love. You told me once I could find another wherever I go. I believe it! I have met too many a lady to entrust my love to, but often time, I keep returning to you, in love that time could never let go. So it becomes too much for me to redirect my affection for you.
In the recent time, I met a young lady whom I could love, but your love I find it difficult to trade on keep coming. I do not know why I should still love you or hold on to your existence when you seem to have forgotten my own
How do I mean? I want to live with you, my love; in that world you saw with me when we first met. I want to live there with you love you hundreds years from now.
In street, or wherever I find my feet, I am always conscious of myself; and the fact I have rule to protect… I made a promise to love you. I believe I had kept that so well. Except, perhaps, I had become a fool for love. How else could I have acted? Your presence never leaves me. In you I find the virtue that every woman is. My respect for you and all that I want to be. Not in this sense that I could not open my heart to newness of thing, but everything begins from you. I see quite clear why I need to hold on what I believe about meeting you again.
What more can me not hold on to? Life within the thought of you has being so beauty. It could be more beautiful with you at my side watching the scope of life together. To say I miss you could be understatement. But I missed you like sun misses the flower. Like grass of the field misses the rain; like a child misses his/her mother.
When eventually you find this piece, please, do not share tear. Neither should you cry! When you do this, I will never help but to quell. You can mention my name! Let it not be too loud so as not to constitute nuisances. But while you call once, I will hear you.
Your love unknown
Felix.
My love,
I have not heard from you! But by my intuition, I believe you are sound. I have seen your well-being in the way I am. It is the truth; that’s the way you and I was. Your blood flows in mine. For this, I am writing you another which might never get to you. But in hope, I believe you will someday read it! You would read and reread again - You will wonder why it took so long before you come across the piece. You might want to share tear; you might want to cry, you might want to drop beneath, but you will want to be strong. You cannot afford to share tear, or cry over what lies in the past. But one thing that will never let go within you is finding the piece more adorable than how you would have as a young girl that you are now. For this, the sun would rise again within your heart. You will remember I am the one you never wanted to forget but did anyway. The reason is not far fetch, you are much older, and more woman! You can tell when you love a man why you should. More important, you will understand why I keep returning to you when all hope of being with you is gone
Your presence in my life is by no mean a mistake. Our meeting, and the brief moment together was borne out of time. We were always there together in love within that space of time that has since become memories; the very salt of remembrance.
You are my first love!
Sometime I wish I never met you. Meeting you had changed so much of me. I had become another person in the portray of who I am now dreaming about life; and about you, my love – Chidinma within the same atmospheric nature of my dream world which is now obvious you‘ve being part of – from birth. Meeting you rejuvenate everything! And now, I only see what we could still share together in this play of destiny.
For once, I never understand, but I think I know better now! Our life together and the sudden estrangement is only an interlude which I had likened to soap- opera which shall have a happy end. In regard to this, I have it that meeting you are in line. Far too long I have dwelt upon this.
The question now is for how long I would have to wait to meet you again, my only love. You told me once I could find another wherever I go. I believe it! I have met too many a lady to entrust my love to, but often time, I keep returning to you, in love that time could never let go. So it becomes too much for me to redirect my affection for you.
In the recent time, I met a young lady whom I could love, but your love I find it difficult to trade on keep coming. I do not know why I should still love you or hold on to your existence when you seem to have forgotten my own
How do I mean? I want to live with you, my love; in that world you saw with me when we first met. I want to live there with you love you hundreds years from now.
In street, or wherever I find my feet, I am always conscious of myself; and the fact I have rule to protect… I made a promise to love you. I believe I had kept that so well. Except, perhaps, I had become a fool for love. How else could I have acted? Your presence never leaves me. In you I find the virtue that every woman is. My respect for you and all that I want to be. Not in this sense that I could not open my heart to newness of thing, but everything begins from you. I see quite clear why I need to hold on what I believe about meeting you again.
What more can me not hold on to? Life within the thought of you has being so beauty. It could be more beautiful with you at my side watching the scope of life together. To say I miss you could be understatement. But I missed you like sun misses the flower. Like grass of the field misses the rain; like a child misses his/her mother.
When eventually you find this piece, please, do not share tear. Neither should you cry! When you do this, I will never help but to quell. You can mention my name! Let it not be too loud so as not to constitute nuisances. But while you call once, I will hear you.
Your love unknown
Felix.
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