AFRICAN REFUGEES

Seeds of Life

2011-12-21T12:32:00.000+10:30

i seize the defining moment
of wonder as the earth-like planet sizzles
with the sweetest sounds of life
outside our solar system; reading the first stanza
of the divine poetry of desire.

then, I witness the birth of love particles
in the primordial pond of time in the transit of Venus
how delightful is the dawn of reason?
how wonderful is the thinking flower of your essence,
the splash of light on my humble soul!

the colourful
butterflies flutter ever so gracefully
in the glittering disc
of the youthful sun; sharing the gift of rose divine;
creating a brand new world of passion

inspired by the rising bloom of beauty,
the gentle thoughts of love tickle
my emotional bones
(in a romantic and ethereal sort of way)
this day of endless fun

i fly over the crescent moon in silence;
carrying the sacred seeds of life foretold;
melting into the luminous soul of the beloved
in the dreamy landscape of destiny; shining like the mystery
star of desire in the hidden places of the heart.

© Lawrence T. Udo-Ekpo

The Son of the Mighty Nile

2011-11-24T21:39:00.000+10:30

he breaks through the cloud

like the wandering star of the dreamtime;

seeking refuge; walking along the golden sands of time sublime

(with nothing but a pocket full of hope)

this desperate son of the mighty Nile; this refugee from

the divine cradle of light, whose blissful tongue foretold

a brand new dawn guided by faith…

i watch as he picks up the stimulating fragments

of life on the fatal shore under

the sensitive nose of destiny;

drinking a cupful of desire in the summer’s lazy daze;

taking the first step to freedom with tender foot

and, now, with a glowing skin of perfection

he dances like an angel before my naked eyes

The Arrival of Julie Shaka

2011-11-08T17:37:00.004+10:30

Julie Shaka arrives in the festival city with tears of joy in her eyes, as new love blossoms in earnest. Now, she sits like Nefertiti’s kitten; counting her blessings. She is stylish and elegant, a refugee from way back, a child of poverty and tragedy, who holds the early light of dawn in her delicate hands.

Her infectious smile captures the moment as she glides along the dreamtime passage with gusto; storming the citadel of learning, one day in spring.

she sits under

the golden wings of progress

petals of hope

Meanwhile, Julie reflects upon her life-long struggle for survival, her epic journey to the ancient Land of Oz, and the endless search for freedom with an openness that cuts through my humble heart.

she sings my name

with flaming lips of wonder…

frisky moon

And now, as the earth moves in wonderful ways; bending the wandering beam of light, Julie reads the divine stanza of life with limpid eyes; finding her inner beauty; savouring the special moment of desire.

she feeds the hungry

atoms along the scented lane

nourishing my soul

The Sacred Dance

2011-09-20T20:52:00.000+09:30

i spring into action
like the crazy cloud of time
like the dreamtime
poet of Oz in the luminous
vortex of desire

i ride the colourful beam
of light like the rainbow warrior on heat
painting another
layer of intimacy in the lonely
heart of the beloved

the Wild Rose
in her element; bending
the divine light
singing my name as love particles
capture the moment

infinitely
gentle words of passion
mingle with
the vivid colours of wonder
stoking the flame

the delicate
finger of the mind
finds its way
through my hungry soul under
the scarlet light of spring

the Moonflower
palace opens its inner sanctum
breaking the secret
code; enriching my life; revealing
the mystery of the universe

the fearless nuclei
and the dividing cells in the sacred
dance of creation…
warming my heart with love as
the earth moves

© Lawrence T. Udo-Ekpo

The First Flower of Spring

2011-09-01T11:07:00.000+09:30

you are the beam of light

the blushing molecule of wonder

oozing desire

immersed in your inner beauty

i lie calmly like the chosen son of the realm

cherry blossoms

i plunder your divine

essence, the precious nectar of the first

flower of spring

the glorious pollen

of perfection liberates my consciousness

nourishing my humble soul

breathless

with excitement

you dance to the rhythm of the earth

you fill my pillow of

light with waves of desire; quivering like

the tender heart of spring

you wrap me

tightly with the divine petals of love

the secret language of the soul

the moon sings along the

fragrant passages as you stir my heart with

the colourful dreams of home

Love Blossoms

2011-07-21T09:41:00.000+09:30

from refugee

to citizen in fancy clothing…

waltzing like a hero

true love blossoms

like the spring flower of wonder

like the golden light of dawn

we wrestle (you and I)

with the gentle waves of passion

seizing the moment

you burn my lips

with the flame of love divine

purifying my soul

i jump over

the naked moon in the nick of time

sowing the seeds of destiny

you quiver

in ecstasy; kissing & yearning…

scarlet lips dripping with honey

two souls become one

in the defining moment; giving form to chaos

this precious day

i bathe in the splendour of your

inner beauty; thriving on the intoxicating

fragrance of your essence,

Wings of Passion

2011-07-05T08:46:00.000+09:30

i shelter under
the glowing wings of passion
finding clarity…
reading the poetry of desire
in a room
furnished with autumn leaves

your infectious smile
runs through my veins
like the bubbly songs of spring
like the divine lyrics of the African haiku
warming my spirit to the core
this special moment

time brings forth
the creative impulse in us, the sacred rhythms
of being, the dance of love molecules
in the dazzling darkness of seduction
plucking the frisky moon…
carrying the fecund fragments of life within

you are
the precious gift of desire
the luminous petals of thought
the delicate flower of wonder
whose divine nectar nourishes
my hungry soul

© Lawrence T. Udo-Ekpo

The Dance of the Silver Sea

2011-06-02T10:38:00.000+09:30

the silver sea
dances to the rhythm
of the earth
energizing my soul
yet, in this dream of mine
in this night of divine nakedness
and sacred bonding with
the beloved, I traverse
the luminous
landscape of destiny
flirting with
the autumn moon as the orange
blossom unfolds…
my wandering eyes turn to the blue
waves of desire near
the translucent island of wonder
where the yellow rose blooms
and Fortune sings
a lovely tune;
capturing the magic moment of bliss.
i venture into
the inner sanctum of the Moonflower
palace of the heart
holding a glimpse of the immense splendour
of your being; the secret code
of pure love contained.
now, I sit like a poet possessed
like a lonely flower
in the pond;
drinking of the wonderful thought of your
divine essences as the earth moves.
like the liquid flame from heaven, a taste
of your edible lips (and blossoming kisses)
illuminates
my consciousness;
lifting the spirit;
wrapping me with the joyful song of love molecules
this precious moment,
two souls become one and indivisible;
dreaming of the golden home of beauty
built on
a single grain of atom

© Lawrence T. Udo-Ekpo

African Tanka

2011-05-10T09:34:00.000+09:30

i walk with tender
foot along the fatal shore of time
in absolute silence
hacking my way through the fog of misery;
the dangling vines of hope

the wind
sings the dreamtime
melody
under the infinite
sky of blue

the golden rays
of the fearless sun hang
over my shoulders
like the scented cloth of destiny;
cleansing my naked soul

yet, in my
solitude, I yearn for the gentle
light of heaven
the hidden compass to the true
north of my being

you anointed my body
with glee; quivering in ecstasy;
wrapping me
in the luminous waves
of beauty divine

your gentle touch
liberates my consciousness
nourishing my dreams…
the frisky moon dances in the fecund
island of desire

© Lawrence T. Udo-Ekpo

African Haiku On The Menu

2011-03-31T08:58:00.000+10:30

rainbow over
the palm tree of fortune
flame of love divine

the dance of flowers
in my visual field foretold
little beauty next door

a wonderful new life
blossoms in the inner space of desire
the size of an atom

i sit like
the Nefertiti’s kitten; thinking
of your hidden sweetness

the cock crows
under the rose petals; wings of joy
in my father’s house

a big night
over the crescent moon
how sweet is the sound of lovebirds!

the little grains
of laughter fall on my famished lips…
a flash of love particles

i wake up
early like the golden dawn
tasting your nectar

the sun smiles and
the African violet blooms in earnest
this glorious day

© Lawrence T. Udo-Ekpo

Bikes for the Refugee Children

2011-03-13T18:01:00.000+10:30

The Seaton Park Primary School in South Australia is appealing for donations of second-hand bicycles for children in the area – children who have recently migrated to Australia as refugees.

wheels in motion…
true love blossoms in the land
down under

To donate a bike, please call the Seaton Park Primary on 8356 2422.

After the Deluge

2011-03-10T11:13:00.001+10:30

after the deluge
the moon dances to the mesmerizing
rhythm of the earth…
the glorious sound of kissing
in the ‘hood

true love
blossoms before my eyes
burying my sorrows

the ancient land renews
itself with the love molecules of desire
the hidden language of hope

the cock crows and
the delicate beauty of the realm
flutters
in the wind
stirring the heart

your sweetness
flows through my precious veins
like the river of heaven

now, my heart leaps
for joy as the nightingale sings;
presenting an
audacious face to the retreating
back of the King Tide

i spend the new dawn
meditating on the wonders of nature
the eternal wholeness of being

the endless flame
of passion purifies my soul
this joyful day
i thrive on the embers of love divine
tasting your nectar

© Lawrence T. Udo-Ekpo

The Flooding Rains of Oz

2011-01-27T11:52:00.000+10:30

like the fury from hell
the wrath of king tide overwhelms
the land with fear
and flooding rains; plucking the baby
from her mother’s arms

the brittle
fragments of life vanished
like faded dreams…

the palatial homes
and gardens disappear without trace
ravaged by
the dead Hand of Nature, the flooding
rains of Oz foretold

i fight like
the rainbow warrior of time
pacifying the gods

sleep deserts me
as bodies float like rag dolls along
the main street
haunted by the angry waters
of the inland sea

i live on air and
prayer like a poet possessed
dreaming of a new dawn

innocent flood victims
cry for help; unleashing the mighty torrents
of kindness across the vale;
breaking the long silence of the
nation in mourning

then, the sun smiles…
and the land gives up its secrets,
the hidden treasures of wonder revealed

after the deluge
new love flowers in my veins, like
a garden in full bloom
the gentle wind dances with the summer's heat;
transforming my soul

© Lawrence T. Udo-Ekpo

The Sacred Seed of Hope

2010-12-28T08:48:00.001+10:30

like the fledgling eagle
of the realm, I fled the sorrows
of the ancient land
under the cover of darkness; going into exile
beyond the silver sea where dreams come true

yet, the powerful
currents of time envelop me in the cold
light of dawn
just as the purple flower of the heart blossoms
in earnest; carrying the sacred seed of hope

you anointed my
body with your kisses sublime
fanning the flame
of true love in the blissful
places of the heart

bathed in the Light
we melt into each other in the nick of time…
two souls become one
and a new life emerges: what an
overwhelming sense of joy!

pain and anguish
dissolve in the ferment of the moment
as the little drop of heaven
falls on my pillow; dancing with my
dreams; purifying my soul

intoxicated with love,
i crow like the golden cock in the
crack of dawn
breaking down the barriers…
awakening the inner fragrance of desire

now, I plant
my roots, firmly, in the crystal
heart of passion
rekindling the flame, the scarlet
light of love within

© Lawrence T. Udo-Ekpo

Ode to the Lost Boy

2010-11-16T08:25:00.000+10:30

behold the enduring
image of the lost boy in the childhood
mist of the soul; doing the daily
battle for survival; weaving the tragic
tale of boyhood forgone

you are the divine gift
of the realm (wandering in the wild), the solitary soul
on a journey of self-discovery
the dreamtime alchemist who turns
the desert dust into the golden grains of beauty

yet, you slide into
the ‘hood in your darkest hour of need
speaking to my soul; searching for
the spiritual heart of mercy,
the single drop of heaven foretold

the mysterious ray
of light pierced through the darkness
as you tread softly; devouring my poems
along the winding path of reason;
capturing the spirit of the moment

the nightingale sings as
hope rains upon you in the island
of the gods, near the spring waters
of great joy, where the moonflower
dances to the rhythm of the soul

the aroma
of fortune fills the air just as
your beautiful tree of knowledge
flowers in earnest; feeding my songs; bearing
the delicious fruits of wonder

your boyhood energy bubbles
like a squat hourglass
like love molecules on heat
like the controlled
explosion of new life in the dawn of time

your light begins to shine
ever so brightly; rousing the lonely hearts
banishing
hunger and thirst in the fertile
crescent of the soul

© Lawrence T. Udo-Ekpo

Ode to Refugees

2010-11-02T08:30:00.000+10:30

you capture
the defining moment
of life with
sweet songs of love; feeding
my humble soul

now, you are
the rising star of the new dawn,
a refugee with attitude,
a rainbow of many colours
in the unfolding drama of life

you move
like the wandering sun
in the
mysterious places
of the heart

you conquer the blues
and wrestle with Sorrow
this fateful day
fighting poverty and deprivation
on the fatal shore

you are the joy of my life,
the hope of hopes, the precious
gift of desire washed
by the intoxicating scent of
the Jacaranda in full bloom

like a lonely flower
in the wind, you dance with
graceful legs in the shadow
of my dreams; pricking my conscience
with the mournful songs of mercy

a big kiss (from
your hungry lips) lightens
the mood; revealing the luminous
castle of the heart built with
the finest grains of laughter

i crave your divine
essences as you wrap me with
your heavenly silence
searching for the secret code of survival
in the changing landscape of time

© Lawrence T. Udo-Ekpo

My Journey to the City of Light

2010-10-21T08:40:00.000+10:30

i cross the mystic
pond of time with tender foot
dreaming of first love

like a poet possessed
i yearn for the gentle hand of Desire; searching
for her divine essence in the city of light

suddenly, the muse bursts
through my veins like the fiery kiss;
sowing the seeds of destiny

the moon sings…
transforming the gloom, the violent
streets of antipodean night

joy overwhelms me when
her silky voice flares through my heart
like the divine beam of light

her goodness rains over
my body; healing the deep wounds of war
under the golden wattle

her infectious smile flashes
like the spring flower in full bloom
purifying my soul with the flame of desire

© Lawrence T. Udo-Ekpo

The Springtime of My Life

2010-09-23T08:39:00.000+09:30

tasting the glorious Dawn
of spring, I open slowly like the fragrant
flower of wonder; revealing
the inner light of my soul

i hold her in my delicate eyes
under the green light of Eros; longing for
the first fruit of the vine; thinking
of the naked virtues of spring foretold

like love particles, I soar from
the mystic pond of time in purple splendour;
cracking the secret code of endless pleasure
in the springtime of my life

in a blaze of sound
and colour, I glide through the realm
of pure love in gleeful rapture; melting into
the immortal beauty of her essence divine

we bathe in the blue waters of life under
the overwhelming influence of love molecules;
opening the inner door of my heart;
plucking the rose in thoughtful silence

the nimble fingers of Spring
liberate my consciousness; energizing
my soul; probing into my innermost being,
in the defining moment of ecstasy

© Lawrence T. Udo-Ekpo

The New Dawn of Time

2010-09-10T09:29:00.001+09:30

the new dawn of
time under the rose petals
the sound of laughter

a million buds
blossom in the meadow
this spring of Oz

scent of the morning glory…
the luminous castle of great joy built
with your kisses

seduced by the spring
of beauty, my dream wanders over
the flowering moon

like the rosella on heat,
i dance on the bed of flowers; tasting
the scarlet plum of desire

a chorus of vivid
colours under the deep blue sky…
gentle waves of delight

behold the tempting
eyes of beauty in my visual field…
how sweet is your essence?

enchanted
evenings of passion in Findon
destiny’s kitten

the songbird
sings a lovely tune; celebrating
the fecund universe of the heart

© Lawrence T. Udo-Ekpo

The Nubian Night

2010-06-30T08:27:00.000+09:30

my soul grows stronger
and stronger as the rainbow lorikeet sings
the song of freedom
turning the Nubian night of hopelessness
into the golden dawn of optimism...
wiping away the tears of many

the delicate drop of joy
lies like a lover in my arms.

then, as the love molecules dance
to the rhythm of the earth; opening
the tender heart of mercy
the new dawn sows the sacred
seeds of harmony; feeding the
hungry mouths in the ‘hood

now, even the gods also speak of the Day of Light
when the refugees from Eden play the divine melody.

always in motion, the wandering moon
comes to the party with a bagful of dreams
capturing the spirit
of the moment; (musing of happier times…)
banishing poverty and inequality
across the ancient land of many colours

how sweet is the moment when
laughter finds a new home of desire?

© Lawrence T. Udo-Ekpo

The Divine Poetry of Survival

2010-06-08T08:39:00.000+09:30

peter sits on the jagged
edge of time; dreaming of Home; immersing
himself in the divine
metaphors for survival in the cold cradle
of reason where sadness & joy cohere

then he wakes up
in triumph; riding the scarlet beam
of light across Jupiter’s moons;
searching for the lucid moment of wonder
the hidden Truth of life foretold

like a supernova
he tames the cosmic waves with gusto
dancing with the sun;
conquering Jupiter’s radiation belt in one
sweeping motion (faster than the speed of light)

i watch as he emerges
from the dark side of the Titan moon
of Saturn, with a handful
of blazing quasars; wearing the luminous
rings of exquisite beauty

yet, he runs into
some challenging questions about
the human condition
and the origin (and quality) of life
on the fringes of the fecund universe

like a mysterious
ball of light, he floats over the glorious
land of dreams before dawn;
spreading love molecules; carrying the secret
code of destiny with great delight

now, he swims
in the living waters of time
this Nubian dude
reading the divine poetry of survival
in exotic places of the heart

© Lawrence T. Udo-Ekpo

My Neighbour's Precious Hand

2010-05-14T09:57:00.000+09:30

i take my
neighbor’s precious hand; feeling
the divine symmetry
of motion, the gentle flash of love
particles contained

the laughing
waves of passion reveal the new
galaxies of desire

she glows
into my life like a poem
energizing my
soul; illuminating the inner
core of my being

we build a new Eden
on the scarlet wings of reason
this sweetest night

now, I pluck the
divine petals of wonder with glee
rousing the autumn rose

© Lawrence T. Udo-Ekpo

Nefertiti Dreaming

2010-03-16T08:48:00.000+10:30

a blissful night
of passion scented with jasmine…
Nefertiti’s kitten

love particles
dance to the rhythm
petals of the soul

now, her delicate thighs
drop like honey; opening the divine
temple of dreams

i lean across the
fecund Valley of the Kings; tasting
the living waters of joy

poetry rises
like the sun; warming
my naked soul

how graceful
is the magical moment when
the moonflower sings

i watch with lustful eyes
as her Virtue flashes like lightning –
a shower of love particles

then, drunk with love, we
morphed into each other; celebrating
the new dawn of oneness

i savour the moment when
her divine Majesty comes in all her glory…
bursting through my veins

© Lawrence T. Udo-Ekpo

The Joy of Life Saving

2010-02-19T18:04:00.001+10:30

(The African migrants are now patrolling the Henley Beach area under the Surf Life Saving Program recently introduced in South Australia. The program is aimed at educating the new arrivals on beach safety.)

they bounce back
from the brink of hunger and despair
taming the tempest…
saving the lost souls of the realm
on the fatal shore

behold the frisky moon
in a passionate dance of wonder
rhythm of the waves

how precious is
the moment when the divine
hand of friendship
saves the day; rescuing the tired
limbs from the edge of the abyss

goodwill
flowers in silence
this fateful day

yet, like the guardian
angels of the surf, they embrace
the silver sea with
great passion; celebrating the inner
joy of life sublime

© Lawrence T. Udo-Ekpo

Alone and Aimless

2009-12-06T10:25:00.002+10:30

alone and Aimless…
the luscious flower of the heart
quivers in the gentle
wind of dawn; longing for the mystic
tongue, the sensitive flame of passion foretold

yet, beyond the gloom,
near the musical spring of pure joy,
a new light flickers in earnest...
banishing loneliness as love particles fill
the air and gladden the hearts of many

tempting colours
of oneness sublime; testing the
limits of creation; forcing
the blooming flower (and the bee)
to behave in mysterious ways

she danced with me
in silence; sowing the sacred
seeds of joy within

overwhelmed by her
fragrance, I seek the divine counsel
of the ageless Eros, son of Ares,
who strongly believes she is ripe
for the picking (in more ways than one)

my heart jumps for joy…
how precious is the moment
when fortune smiles?

flushed with emotion
we jump over the rainbow
hand in hand…
finding solace under the
sumptuous wings of desire

i paint
her glorious Petals with glee;
calming her nerves…
sampling the divine nectar with
intense feeling of pure love

© Lawrence T. Udo-Ekpo

Winter Rain

2009-07-16T12:41:00.002+09:30

frisky tadpoles
in my visual field...
winter deluge

the sound
of silence after the first
winter rain...
how precious is the moment when
the sun turns the other cheek?

raindrops in Findon...
a flock of wild ducks come out
to play; stealing kisses

sowing the
seeds of desire after
the fall...
a cloud painted with
your smiles

the moon sings
yet you sit like the Pharaoh's cat
purring

a new voice
in the 'hood foretold
and yet, the light
of old memory fills the
heart of many

(C) Lawrence T. Udo-Ekpo

The Moment of Desire

2009-07-08T14:09:00.002+09:30

i wake up
in triumph; conquering
the dead of winter
swimming in the pristine
waters of great joy

behold the yellow moon
in the sweetest moment of passion
nourishing the soul...

her delicate light
liberates my consciousness;
permeating the whole
spectrum of my being under the
watchful eyes of Venus

like an angel from the
blue, she comes in all her glory...
bearing the divine nectar

i see true love in her
limpid eyes of bliss; drinking from
the sweet wells of beauty
sublime; watching as her divine
presence dissolves in my naked soul

she sails through my
veins like a ship upon the secret
river of time; chanting love!

now, I can feel the
soothing rhythm of her heartbeat as
she savours the moment...
singing the divine melody in the
wondrous bed of a thousand lights

soulful dance of oneness...
what a stellar trajectory of love in
the moment of desire?

Copyright (C) Lawrence T. Udo-Ekpo

The Hand of Friendship

2009-02-22T13:18:00.002+10:30

Concerned about the wellbeing of refugees, the Charles Sturt Council in South Australia has, recently, established a new program to forge closer links between residents and the new arrivals.

The main thrust of the new policy is on building bridges across cultures; lending a helping hand of friendship where it matters.

The Community of Friends Scheme puts volunteers in regular contact with the new migrants and refugees in order to help them settle into the local community.

Meanwhile, the African refugees are the main beneficiaries of this new approach to integration and resettlement in the state.

Friendship
On the fatal shore…
Summer moon

© Lawrence T. Udo-Ekpo

A Long Way from Home

2009-02-01T13:14:00.002+10:30

For the refugees, every moment is a constant struggle for survival, a relentless search for home and community in an alien environment.

Omari Kimweri, 26, a Tanzanian boxer who made international headlines after defecting from the national team during the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, Australia, is continuing his fight for permanent residency in the country, after launching a professional career recently.

The Adelaide City Messenger newspaper reports that Omari is still pleading with the Australian authorities to allow him to stay; fearing arrest and prosecution if he is forced to return to his homeland in Tanzania.

Meanwhile, his fate is in the hands of the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship affairs, Chris Evans.

Makuac Wins an Award

2009-01-27T15:28:00.002+10:30

Makuac Dhal is the proud winner of the Minister for Education and Children’s Services Award for excellence in Languages and Cultures.

The award was announced and presented on Australia Day, 26th January 2009, at Government House in Adelaide, South Australia.

Makuac is a quiet (yet distinguished) 18 year-old Sudanese man, who came to Australia in 2003 as a refugee.

He has worked effectively with people in need; helping the new arrivals make sense of the world in which they find themselves; translating and interpreting for the Dinka speaking parents and care-givers in the area.

In fact, his effort has already yielded some positive outcomes; leading to a better understanding of the cultural norms and the needs of the Sudanese youths in the new and emerging communities in South Australia.

Makuac is an ambitious young man with great potential and a worthy recipient of the award.

Dreamtime Tales

2008-12-28T10:42:00.002+10:30

the dreamtime tales
of wonder sublime; imagining
the mysteries
of the divine consciousness
under the glow of your essence

you shine
the light on the immortal
longings of the
lonely soul under the watchful
eye of the rainbow

frisky hormones
on the rampage; deflowering
the cell nucleus
in the primordial pond
of ravishing beauty

the microbes
also have their special night
of surreal pleasure
cradling the mystic egg before
the golden dawn

across the dark matter
(in the blissful realm) I witness
the glorious birth
of the cosmic nymph, a flurry of
love particles over the crescent moon

the electrons in
the scarlet clothing of desire
profoundly seduced
by the magic protons under
the trembling beam of light

love blossoms in
earnest; feeding the flame...
nourishing the lonely
soul with sweet thoughts of life
endowed with endless joy

i sow the holy
seed of destiny with great delight
seeing the divine truth ...
feeling the eternal beauty of pure
love emanating from the single spark

© Lawrence T. Udo-Ekpo

The Sense of Joy

2008-10-05T15:48:00.002+10:30

you sing
the dreamtime melody with
waves of delight
enjoying the mystical food
of love before dawn

i feel
the sweetness of your
pearly smile...
under the warm glow
of passion divine

you nourish
my soul with the sublime
images of love
finding ecstasy in the inner
world of desire

sensing
the divine song of beauty
this glorious night
you feed the flame of passion
with a delicate touch

The Soothing Voice of Passion

2008-08-31T19:05:00.002+09:30

your soothing voice
fills the innermost depths of my
heart with joyful thoughts -
each word a clean slice of heaven
on a platter; the shining pearls
of wisdom contained

like the sweetest bird
of Oz after the winter solstice,
your inner voice creates the perfect
mood; exploring the miracles of life…
nurturing the fragile soul under
the trembling light

yours is the passionate voice of reason
flavoured with the elixir of joy…
the golden drops of honey plucked
from your sculptured lips
whose luscious blossom is the
lasting flower of the heart

it’s the voice of hope
painted with your kisses; a tonic
of delight in a mansion
of many dreaming rooms - a natural
mix of life, light, and desire

and now, I‘ve tasted
the eternal beauty of your divine
essence and enjoyed
its sweet and charming splendour…
scaling the symphonic heights of passion

© Lawrence T. Udo-Ekpo

Inner Beauty

2008-07-20T12:10:00.002+09:30

the mighty
winter hits the land
with intimate
sound of silence, profoundly
seduced by solitude

yet, your
inner beauty gladdens
the heart and
brightens my days
with selfless gift

it re-ignites
the flame of passion
with timeless joy –
the basic ingredient of pure
love and ambition

it keeps
all things new and
fresh like
the mystical lily
in the pond

thus, inspired by
the divine presence, I see
the face of love…
feeling the mesmerizing
rhythm of your heartbeat

© Lawrence T. Udo-Ekpo

African Pilgrims

2008-07-15T10:30:00.003+09:30

Pilgrims from across Africa are in Australia for the World Youth Day 2008 festivities. The celebrations begin today with an open day mass in Sydney harbour.

On Thursday, Pope Benedict XVI will greet the half a million devout young followers, including African youths, for the first time when he makes his way across Sydney harbour by boat to the Barangaroo foreshore.

african pilgrims
in fancy clothing; waltzing
the night away…
shouldering the cross with
a cupful of promise

© Lawrence T. Udo-Ekpo

Ugandan Cricketers Face Deportation

2008-06-29T10:45:00.002+09:30

Two Ugandan cricketers who, in 2007, fled their touring national team to seek refugee status in Australia have had their application rejected, according to the Weekly Times Messenger newspaper report.

Patrick Ochan, 19, and Jimmy Okello, 20, both orphans from the little village of Gulu in northern Uganda now face the real possibility of being deported from their temporary home in Adelaide, South Australia.

Meanwhile, fearing violence and bloodshed in their homeland, the orphans are terrified of being sent back to Uganda because they have no future in that country.

But, in the final analysis, only the goodwill of the Australian people and the intervention by the Immigration Minister can save them from their fate.

Messengernews,com.au

Love and Laughter

2008-06-15T16:03:00.002+09:30

love and
laughter on the menu...
amorous lips
sizzling with new sparks of life
under the trembling light

our eyes meet
and the eternal glow of your
aura enlivens my soul

rhythms of love…
a rare Opportunity
to sample
an elixir of desire
full of dreams

you make the first
move, Iris; painting the future
with your kisses

you penetrate
the centre of my being
in the nick of time;
revealing the galaxy of colors
under the yellow moon

the sound
of your footsteps
tapping

banksias in bloom
near the secret passage of joy
the sudden flush
of luscious red flowers
bathed in winter’s sunlight

you swim like an
angel in the Sea of beauty…
the artistry of wonder

you witness
the timely birth of Desire
along the secret river
of the golden light
where love and laughter
reign supreme; banishing
the evil genius from
the human heart

a red rose
on my windowsill…
sweet thoughts of you

© Lawrence T. Udo-Ekpo

The Field of Dreams

2008-05-19T08:13:00.002+09:30

overwhelmed
by the divine light,
in the secret passage,
a place of Truth
and beauty, I glance
amorously at the immense
beauty of your essence.

i sit in awe, like
a poet possessed; recording
the fragments of life
in the field of dreams
where the fairy-wren sings
and the wild rose blooms
in silence before the dawn.

now, touched by your inner
beauty and scented lips, I
experience the joy and
fulfillment of life (so pure
and true)…the orgasmic taste
of your goodness sublime.

© Lawrence T. Udo-Ekpo

The Simba Lions of Congo

2008-05-14T11:09:00.001+09:30

The Simba Lions of Congo has, for the first time, entered the South Australian Amateur Soccer League (SSAASL), as a registered club.

The club is made up of young migrants and refugees from Africa who now call Australia home.

As a new addition to the League; the Simba Lions of Congo is doing extremely well - roaring along very nicely, indeed.

It has already won all three games and is now sitting on top of the Division 5A ladder, according to the Weekly Times Messenger

Sweet Sound of Passion

2008-05-11T18:10:00.002+09:30

sweet sound of passion…
the mystery of the joyful night
wrapped with your kisses

you anointed my
soul with clear visions of the light
capturing the fecund
thought of beauty in the divine
moment of oneness

you ride the gentle
waves of passion in triumph
enjoying the positive vibes

now, I fill
the sacred vessel with
pure love…
forging a new reality where
sweet flowers bloom

enchanted journey …
the relentless pursuit
of the mystical fruit

you light
the inner flame of Desire
with a delicate touch
patiently unlocking the deepest
secrets of consciousness for fun

© Lawrence T. Udo-Ekpo

The African Spirit

2008-04-28T19:36:00.004+09:30

you arouse true love
and compassion within my veins...
the African spirit

your gentle hand
guides me through the corridors
of thought; revealing
the embers of a fecund mind
and a thousand flowers in bloom

you turn
sadness into joyful rhythms
on the fatal shore

with hard times looming
you transform the fragile ‘hood
for good…
the immense beauty
of life preserved

behold the golden dawn…
the new state of consciousness
blessed with potential

you tame
the voice of unreason
with pure love…
nourishing the soul with
the sacred nectar of desire

© Lawrence T. Udo-Ekpo

On the Beaten Track

2008-04-21T15:46:00.002+09:30

at dawn
when the smiling sun warms
the beaten track…
the lost boy walks in silence
weaving a dream

the golden rays
capture the inner beauty
of the fragile
soul in the unfolding
drama of life foretold

now, the gentle
breeze gives up its secrets
ever so slowly
you find your niche along
the narrow passage

© Lawrence T. Udo-Ekpo

Little Beauty

2008-04-12T15:16:00.003+09:30

the lyrebird
in my father’s garden…
autumn moon

sing to me, you
little beauty, the soulful
songs of joy

take me (on your
sumptuous wings) to the secret
places of the heart

© Lawrence T. Udo-Ekpo

The Good People of Dorrigo

2008-03-22T12:33:00.002+10:30

The residents of the small community of Dorrigo in New South Wales, Australia, have opened their hearts and minds to African refugees; deliberately inviting them to settle in the local community, according to the recent ABC-TV program.

The program focused on the plight of African refugees in the post-resettlement period; tracing the journey of Martha Malou, Martin Majok and their six children as they try to adjust to life in the new environment; doing the daily battle for survival in Dorrigo community.

Nevertheless, the point to note is that the good people of Dorrigo are prepared to support the new comers by providing food, shelter and clothing during the early days of arrival, despite the ongoing tension about the refugees elsewhere in the nation.

They want the best for the African refugees.

It seems to me, quite clearly, that the destiny of the local community and that of the refugees are now very closely intertwined. Hard-wired to work, the Africans are ready for new the new challenge and are feeling at home in Dorrigo community.

Some are working hard to improve themselves and are doing it in style.

“I want to be Australian citizen because I want to be part of the community”, so says Martin, who is now working and studying and making a new life for himself in the thriving Dorrigo community Down Under.

Eye of the Beholder

2008-02-24T11:56:00.003+10:30

the secret
river of love flows
ever so gently
under the watchful
eye of the beholder

cherry blossom...
weaving the wreath
of desire
with the first taste
of the nectar

the rise
of the fecund moon
foretold...
the image of the spring
flower drunk with love

your red lips
speak softly of "us" as
i explore
the mystic fruit of your
essence with lustful eyes

a brush with
the intense passion of your
ways sublime...
spirited away by the sacred
poetry of desire

you turn up
the heat with your
magic touch
just like the frisky suns
of the summer past

finally, you lift
the veil and whisper love
(ever so tenderly)...
clearing the path to inner peace
with a spoonful of dreams

(C) Lawrence T. Udo-Ekpo

Over the Rainbow

2008-01-30T11:39:00.001+10:30

the rhythmic
throb of your golden heart
of hearts revealed…
a passionate journey
over the rainbow

sing to me, egret…
the sweet songs of summer
soaked in love

you dance lightly
on the rose petal of my dreams
seeing beauty
in the inner sanctum
of my being

the ecstasy
of the gentle breeze profound…
radiance of the soul

with the exotic
heat, you capture the rarest
essence of desire…
the golden drop of
summer’s moon

your seductive
dance of wonder unfolds…
the miracle of being

© Lawrence T. Udo-Ekpo

The Secret Eden

2008-01-03T15:41:00.001+10:30

The fecund
Poem nurtures the soul…
Remaking
The secret Eden in her
Own image

Heartbeat of the gods…
The mystery of a perfect
Smile revealed

Beyond the limits
Of freewill, you flowered
Along with the roses…
The unspoken language
Of desire ingrained

You sing
The dreamtime melody…
Golden dawn

You share
The pulse of my rib…
This precious gift
Of love in the inner garden
Of dreams

The angelic face
Of the moon in focus…
Smiling Eve

Then the quest
For the perfect stanza begins…
The Odyssey
Of the enchanted spirit
Of the realm

You seize
The glorious moment…
Cultivating
The fertile crescent of my
Soul with glee

© Lawrence T. Udo-ekpo

Merry Christmas

2007-12-25T14:51:00.001+10:30

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR

Enduring Passion

2007-12-09T11:14:00.001+10:30

a splash of colour
in antipodean garden…
summer lovin’

your sunny
smile now dances its way
into my
soul; unlocking the pearly
gates of desire

a redhead
with lustful eyes…
crowded house

we melt into
one gentle flow of emotion
this fateful day…
nurturing the pink flower
of the soul

sweet memory
of you - a room painted
with your kisses

you, the frisky
muse, pour great passion
into the red
heart of summer…
endless joy

the blooming rose…
yearning for the gentle touch
of the golden rays

and, then, your
joy runs into ecstasy
recapturing
the golden heritage
of rhythm and warmth

the butterfly
in her element; flash dancing
in the wind

© Lawrence T. Udo-Ekpo

African Football Club

2007-12-07T18:12:00.001+10:30

Africa United Allstars Football Club has recently launched a new website.

The club has a registered membership of 40 players from various communities in South Australia.

For more information, please visit: http://africaunited.com.au

On the Wings of Destiny

2007-11-19T08:24:00.000+10:30

up with
the sparrows in Findon…
golden dawn

on the
wings of Destiny…
i crossed
the secret river
of time

i sat in absolute
silence, immersed in the inner
glow of your being

now, you walk
along my dreams with
lustful eyes
charmingly dressed
in vivid pink

a long kiss
in the garden of Desire…
tasting your nectar

enlightenment
in ceaseless motion…
nourishing
the mystical flower
of youth

© Lawrence T. Udo-Ekpo

The African Family Forum

2007-11-15T15:56:00.001+10:30

The African Family Forum was, recently, held in Adelaide city under the auspices of the South Australian Multicultural and Ethnic Affairs Commission (SAMEAC).

The Lt. Governor of South Australia, Hieu Van Le, opened the forum with a passionate (and timely) speech about the African contribution to the Australian society.

During the forum, the African community leaders highlighted the enormous challenges facing the new arrivals in raising families in Australia due to the significant differences in child-rearing practices between cultures.

There were also some concerns about the negative impact of government policies on the African family life and cultural survival.

These issues were discussed at length during the forum but effective solutions were difficult to come by.

Specific concerns were expressed about the uncertain consequences of using physical punishment to discipline children - an emotional issue for the new arrivals; and one in which there’s no immediate solution.

Another critical issue of concern to the African community in South Australia is the impact (on family life) of the direct Centrelink payments to young people. (Centrelink is an Australian Government Statutory Agency charged with the responsibility of supporting those in need.)

The controversial issue of payment to young people was aired at the forum without any firm proposal for action.

Nevertheless, the discussion of this issue was one of the most significant achievements of the forum.

Here, it should be noted that the forum was organized by SAMEAC to bring together African community leaders and service providers from various government agencies.

In attendance were the senior government officials from the Centrelink and the Department of Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, as well as delegates from the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations

Members of the powerful Multicultural Education Committee (MEC) in South Australia also attended this important forum.

The Tender Heart of Spring

2007-11-04T10:07:00.001+10:30

the first
sensation of spring…
exquisite blooms

rose
buds in fancy
clothing…
deep thoughts
of you

the colorful butterfly…
flash dancing
in the wind

behold
the sumptuous plume
of an egret…
sowing the seeds
of spring with gusto

your infectious smile
sublime… warming the fertile
crescent of my soul

you
the mystic poem
stir great lust…
in the tender heart
of spring

the son rises
in the garden of desire…
immense fecundity

virgo
in her element…
demurely
dressed in rainbow
colors

you soar
like an egret on heat…
oh giggling beauty

honey
bees in the spring
blossom…
the rapturous sound
of creation unfold

© Lawrence T. Udo-Ekpo

Being an Australian

2007-10-08T11:29:00.001+09:30

Manyok Yaak, aged 26, knows a thing or two about what it means to be an Australian and how to survive the trauma of transition in the post-migration period.

He arrived Australia as a refugee from the Sudan 8 years ago and has never looked back.

In fact, he loves his adopted country and adores its values. He now wants to be known simply as an Australian, not Sudanese, according to The Australian newspaper report.

“I do not want to live in a country where people call me Sudanese, I think of myself as an Australian”, so says Manyok, as he does the daily battle for survival with great dreams and ambitions running through his veins.

In fact, his work ethic is the envy of all. Come to think of it, he works overnight in a factory, from 10pm to 6am, then goes to sleep. In the afternoon, he goes to the University to further his education before returning to the factory.

A living work-horse from way back, young Manyok is determined to do what it takes to improve himself and to succeed where others fail – the recent Government decision to lower the intake of Sudanese refugees notwithstanding.

The Beauty of Dreams

2007-10-05T16:42:00.000+09:30

The hours drifted
Quickly from each other
As you talked
Your way into my life…
Spinning dreams

Behold
The dazzling image of you
On a white
Sea-horse… a woman
Of substance

The secret
River runs
Ever so deeply…
Like the red blood
In my veins

Across
The spectrum of light…
My heart thunders
With desire on the road
To Lagos

The colourful
Butterfly embraced
The smiling daisy…
Sensitive tongues locked
In silence

A delightful
Night of rhythm and poetry
In old Calabar…
Tantalizing aroma of soul
Food tickles my fancy

You, Virgo, stole
My heart in the golden
Dawn of time…
And, yet, I’m still dreaming
Of your essence

We walked
Hand in hand into Nirvana
One glorious night…
The majestic beauty
Of a dream fulfilled

© Lawrence T. Udo-Ekpo

The Whisper of Spring

2007-09-24T08:27:00.000+09:30

the honeysuckle
blossoms near the mighty
fountain of delight…
the gentle whisper
of spring

avalanche
of cosmic poems foretold…
the mesmerizing
sound of a different
drum

e-mails from
the naked poet of Oz…
ecstasy
of the lonely
heart

your magic
smile ignites the flame
whose energizing
force brings tears of joy
to my eyes

tempting me
with the forbidden fruit…
sound of heartbeat

you share
your laughter with me
this golden dawn…
a garden full
of dreams

intoxicated
with love, you embrace
the light…
dancing on my shadow
with passion

dining with
the goddess of the moon…
joyful lips

painting
the rainbow with a handful
of dreams…
the nectar of the first
flower of spring

© Lawrence T. Udo-Ekpo

The Spring Flower

2007-09-12T20:07:00.001+09:30

My quest
Leads me to the inner
Sanctum of your
Being, the epicentre
Of great joy

Laughter…
At last, the golden
Treasure unveiled

Deep inside
The heart of Virtue…
Love blossoms
Like the first flower
Of spring

Happiness
Is the free spirit
That sails…
Gently along the secret
Rivers of time

Behold
The dome of pleasure…
Rising from
The lively veins
Of the soul

Sing
To me, lyrebird,
The beautiful
Songs of the waxing
Moon of Oz

Hold me
In your gentle arms
Oh Sweet Violet…
The spring flower
Of my dreams

Ah, the cool
Image of the spring flower…
Dancing in the wind

© Lawrence T. Udo-Ekpo

Travel Grant

2007-09-05T21:15:00.001+09:30

Tony Oyet has been declared the overall winner of the travel grant to attend the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees’ non-governmental consultations in Geneva this month.

These consultations provide an opportunity for representatives from the refugee sector and the refugees themselves to share their views with the UNHCR on questions of international concern for refugee policy and advocacy.

The travel grant, which is jointly sponsored by the Refugee Council of Australia and Oxfam Australia, covers return flights to Geneva, accommodation and associated expenses for the duration of the UNHCR consultations.

It should be noted that Mr. Oyet is a capable community leader who has worked tirelessly with the new arrivals, on health and resettlement issues, in the emerging communities in South Australia.

His close involvement with the Sudanese community, in particular, has grown rapidly in recent years. And, as the founding member of the Acholi Community Association, he is acutely aware of the significant problems of adaptation and resettlement facing the new generation of African refugees in the Australian society today.

For Mr. Oyet though, it has been a long and difficult journey from the remote community of Juba in Southern Sudan to the city of Adelaide. Tony has also lived in Uganda and was in the Kakuma refugee camp in Kenya for a couple of years before coming to Australia in 2003.

He leaves Adelaide for Geneva on the 23rd September 2007.

The Temple of Desire

2007-08-26T19:57:00.001+09:30

The clatter
Of high heels down
The hallway…
And the sudden end
Of winter

Symphony
Of the larrikin sun of Oz…
Great excitement
In the secret temple
Of desire

A row of pretty
Flowers at the pearly
Gate of life…
The mysterious shades
Of pink abound

Like the dreamtime
Bride, you danced
On my shadow
This golden dawn…artistry
Of the generous heart

You lighten
The mood with the flash
Of your magic smile…
And the earth moves under
The gentle august wind

You showered
Me with your love
And warmth
In perfect style…
Oh limpid eyes

You touched my
Heart with the sweet sound
Of your inner poem…
A soulful stanza of five
Lines sublime

The majestic
Footprints of the cosmic girl
Revealed…
An emotional journey
Of love divine

© Lawrence T. Udo-Ekpo

Reduction in African Refugee Numbers

2007-08-20T08:55:00.001+09:30

The Australian Immigration Minister, Kevin Andrews, has recently announced a significant shift in the country’s refugee and humanitarian program for the 2007-08 financial year.

Consequently, Australia’s refugee intake from the African region will fall from 50 per cent in the last financial year to 30 per cent.

This is partly due to the official concern that African refugees have failed to integrate into the Australian society - although this point is debatable.

Meanwhile, 35 per cent of the new intake will come from Asia. And 35 per cent of places will be reserved for the resettlement of Iraqi Christians.

The Minister acknowledged that African refugees have faced particularly traumatic experiences for prolonged periods of time. And this will make successful settlement and integration difficult.

www.adelaidenow.com.au

The Passage of Dreams

2007-07-26T09:17:00.001+09:30

You found the passage
Of dreams and turned your
Back on Eden…
A cloud without a shred
Of silver lining

As the tide
Turned, he seized
The magic moment…
Just in time to witness
The birth of Destiny

Behold
The image of a restless
Soul; chasing…
The rainbow lorikeet
With tender foot

Ah, the magic possum…
Painting my dreams pink
With a handful of poems

Fear not, fondest one,
There’s a lyrical new voice
In the ‘hood
Revealing the secrets
Of the lost love

The seed
Of doubt disappears
In the golden
Dawn…a land
Full of surprises

Amidst the silence
Of the endless sea
The eagle
Found its wings
In the nick of time

And in the garden
Of the earthly delight…
Fortune’s lair

© Lawrence T. Udo-Ekpo

Winter Fragrance

2007-06-27T19:00:00.001+09:30

The red kangaroo
Wading through the dreamtime…
Sprouting winter

You
Light my fire
With gusto…
The sound of winter
Fragrance

Birth of ambition…
The bright chaos of the night
Transformed

The blaze
Of light in the dark
Heart of winter…
Scent of the pink
Flower foretold

Sing to me, Gemini,
A deep and dazzling
Song of joy

In the inner glow
Of winter, the lost boy sows
The seed of wonder…
Drawing the magic words from
The sensitive tongue of Desire

© Lawrence T. Udo-Ekpo

Refugee Boot Bank

2007-06-13T19:55:00.001+09:30

The Australian Refugee Association is seeking donations of football (soccer) boots to help young refugees get involved in the sport.

About 1500 refugees settle in South Australia each year, with half of those being young people.

Many are keen to get involved in football (soccer) - providing benefits to themselves, their clubs and the wider community.

However, the cost of participation can be a barrier, as they struggle to meet the cost of fees, uniforms and boots, while trying to live on a limited income.

The Office for Recreation and Sport provides funding to the Migrant Resource Centre of South Australia to help new arrivals participate in sporting activities, but the demand far outweighs the resources available.

The Australian Refugee Association is setting up a Boot Bank and is seeking deposits from anyone who has a spare pair of football (soccer) boots that they no longer need or use. All sizes are welcome (they just need to have another season of wear left in them).

Boot donations for the Boot Bank can be dropped off at Multicultural SA, 24 Flinders Street, Adelaide, or directly to the Australian Refugee Association, 304 Henley Beach Road, Underdale, South Australia before the end of June.

The Office for Recreation and Sport is committed to ensuring that all people, regardless of age, gender, cultural background and ability, have equal access to sport and recreation opportunities.

The Golden Wattle

2007-05-30T21:38:00.001+09:30

The autumn
Rain brings fresh hope
Of life in the
Sun-burnt country...
The golden wattle blooms

The neophyte
Captures the gentle muse
In the sacred
Dew of the glorious morn…
The dream is still alive

With her mane
Of auburn hair shining
In the sun
She wrote the first stanza…
Tickling the inner beauty

Dance of the maidens…
The mesmerizing rhythm
Of the
Tanka poem under
The rainbow

A promise
Fulfilled, it’s time to…
Smell the roses

The wise
Owl on the prowl, this
Sensitive soul…
Stirring lust out of the golden
Heart of autumn

© Lawrence T. Udo-Ekpo

Africa Day 2007

2007-05-27T15:58:00.001+09:30

It's a very special day in the annals of South Australian history. In fact,
it's a day like no other, as the African migrants and refugees celebrated
Africa Day for the second year running.

The civic reception was at the Adelaide Town Hall.

The Lord Mayor of Adelaide, the Right Honourable Michael Harbison spoke
eloquently about the fruits of multiculturalism and the African contribution
to Australian society, to the absolute delight of the invited guests.

The event was proudly supported by the Adelaide City Council and the African
Chamber of Commerce SA Inc (AFRICOMSA).

Coming to Australia

2007-04-29T10:46:00.001+09:30

A fantastic world premier of Coming to Australia took Adelaide city by storm this week, as the young Africans shared their personal stories.

It’s an epic story of the African refugees in song, dance and drama – a journey into the mind of the new arrivals.

They came in dribs and drabs from the refugee camps in Kenya, Ethiopia, Somalia and the Sudan to make a new life for themselves in the land Down Under.

Performed at St. Mary’s School, Franklin Street, Coming to Australia is a truly engaging musical extravaganza. It’s a show like no other; featuring young people from Africa’s long wars.

Shedrick Yarkpai provided the music, lyrics and choreography.

The cast of Coming to Australia included young dancers and singers such as Rebecca Freeman, Tina Kamara, Precious Norman, Tutu Gbala, Princess Dunn, George Moore, and Nimiro Unzi.

This ambitious project was directed by Rob Crosser and David Roach. The colourful production revealed interesting stories, fantastic music, and exhilarating dance of the new arrivals.

The show left a lasting effect on the audience as the young refugees combined their talents to deliver the total entertainment package; singing songs of freedom.

Field of Dreams

2007-04-06T12:37:00.001+09:30

The great
Moments of life abound…
Where the rainbow
Lorikeet sings, the secret
Flower blooms

The sun
Shines through my
Heart in the
Field of dreams as Eve
Whispers to my shadow

The gentle
Spirit rules the day with
Fun and laughter…
Blissful memory of the past
Trapped in the present

The frisky
Muse walks along my dreams
Under the autumn moon
I chase the dazzling goddess
With tender foot

On the
Sumptuous wings of desire
I navigate the
Golden heart of love under
The watchful eyes of Eros

© Lawrence T. Udo-Ekpo

Honeysuckle Blossom

2007-03-30T20:05:00.001+09:30

Behold the
The eternal beauty of the
Honeysuckle
Her precious flower glistering
In the antipodean sun

Feed me
With your precious nectar
Oh honeysuckle…
The sacred loaves and fishes
Of the realm sublime

You melted
The heart of stone, one
Autumn day
Stirring insatiable lust out
Of the jaws of anger

Even the
Shooting star from the
Receding galaxy
Can’t keep pace with your
Arrow of desire

The fat cats
On the prowl; licking the
Nectar divine…
The dreamtime elixir of
Youth foretold

© Lawrence T. Udo-Ekpo

Flight of the Golden Leaves

2007-03-22T20:14:00.001+10:30

The maiden
Flight of the golden leaves…
The sound of autumn

Out of the depths
Of happiness, the autumn
Zephyr blows

How graceful
Is your gentle flight
Oh golden leaf?

Behold the
Naked trees of Findon…
Autumn folly

© Lawrence T. Udo-Ekpo

On Suicide

2007-03-18T11:48:00.001+10:30

Suicide continues to be a major public health issue in Australia, in recent years. Although death by suicide is a relatively uncommon event, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, the human and economic costs are substantial.

Suicide can be defined as the deliberate taking of one’s life. Thus, to be classified as suicide, a death must be recognised as being due to factors other than natural causes.

There were 2,101 deaths from suicide registered in Australia in 2005, similar to the number registered in the previous year. Nearly 80% of these were deaths of males.

Nevertheless, in 2005, the age-standardised suicide rate for males was 16.4 per 100,000 people; while the corresponding rate for females was 4.3 per 100,000, according to the ABS data.

The most common method of suicide was hanging (including strangulation and suffocation) which was used in 51% of all suicide cases.

Firearms accounted for 7% of suicide deaths, poisoning by drugs 12%, poisoning by other methods 16%, and drowning and other methods 14% of the suicide deaths (ABS).

In fact, from 1995-2005, the male suicide death rate was approximately four times higher than the corresponding female rate during this period.

http://www.abs.gov.au

The Autumn Flower

2007-03-12T11:45:00.001+10:30

The great excitement
In the erogenous zone foretold…
Autumn flower blooms

Sing to me, cricket,
The secret songs of the
Antipodean autumn

African Artists and the Music Festival

2007-03-11T10:35:00.001+10:30

This year’s World Music Festival opens in Adelaide, South Australia, with African artists taking centre stage – along with more than 300 artists from all over the globe.

The highlight of the festival is the presence of the Mahotella Queens, the funky grandmas from South Africa, who are as entertaining as ever. Their mesmerizing rhythm has continued to keep the crowd on their feet.

And with Salif Keita on stage, the golden voice of Africa could be heard, loud and clear, in this year’s World Music Festival Down Under.

In fact, Salif Keita and the Mahotella Queens deliver an African musical experience that keeps the World Music Festival alive and well in Australia.

The Hypochondriac

2007-03-04T11:16:00.001+10:30

She walks like an
Angel under the stars; thinking…
Every pimple is cancer
And every headache a brain tumour
Frisky hypochondriac

© Lawrence T. Udo-Ekpo

The Neophyte

2007-03-01T22:15:00.001+10:30

Behold the
Neophyte with attitude
Singing
The dreamtime melody
Of pure delight

The Frangipani

2007-02-24T16:07:00.001+10:30

The luscious
Frangipani blooms in earnest;
Oozing desire...
I watch the star of the summer
Garden with lustful eyes

© Lawrence T. Udo-Ekpo

The Lost Boy and the Owl

2007-02-18T15:09:00.001+10:30

Love with the heart
And open arms, so says
The owl to the
Lost boy as he emerges
From the shadows

He talks,
Briefly, with the wise one
On the island
Of destiny surrounded
By dreams

With vibes of love
And passion, he finds himself
In the city of light
Chasing the vanishing dream
With a smile

Still doing
The daily battle for survival,
Poor soul, but crossing
The Sacred River on the edge
Is not for the faint-hearted

© Lawrence T. Udo-Ekpo

The Eagle and the Woodpecker

2007-02-17T12:08:00.001+10:30

Where were
You, woodpecker, when
The eagle was
Flying high; serving justice
With a silver spoon?

The Secret Life

2007-02-15T20:25:00.001+10:30

The secret life
Of the gentle poet revealed
In the nick of time
Craving for the forbidden fruit
In the antipodean garden

© Lawrence T. Udo-Ekpo

Adrift in the World of Loneliness

2007-02-10T16:10:00.001+10:30

Staring blankly into
The distance, the neophyte finds
Himself adrift; withdrawing
From the society into a world
Of private thoughts and beauty

He stood
In absolute silence, like
A solitary flower
In a shrinking pond; waiting
For the golden dawn

After years of solitude
And melancholy, the spirit
Liberates his memory
Giving him a new life in
The suburb of dreams

Jupiter's Poem

2007-02-06T18:02:00.001+10:30

I

Jupiter
Wrote his first stanza
Cruising through
The happy jungle of stars
In the dawn of time

II

He breathed
New life into the galaxy by
Feeding and grooming the
Budding stars in the Milky Way
Sprouting the rainbow

III

Then, he undertook a
New cosmic adventure along the
River of dreams…
Nourishing the red dwarf with
Sweet memories of his first love

IV

He found his voice
In the years of the great
Cosmic upheaval
His first offering was a thriller
A golden poem with attitude

V

Jupiter’s poem was
Born in pain & deprivation…
Each stanza an
Embodiment of perfection
Over-flowing with love divine

VI

After many years
Of grief and solitude, he
Embraced the new light
With great passion, as the wild
Rose continued to bloom

© Lawrence T. Udo-Ekpo

Wandering Moon

2007-01-31T22:35:00.001+10:30

Dealing with Uncertainty

2007-01-30T17:58:00.001+10:30

A spirited soul
Deals with uncertainty in the
Crack of dawn...
Stoking the fires of
Opportunity with gusto

He flies into the school
Of hard knocks, oblivious to
The impending storm
Forging the spirit of survival
With tender eyes on the future

Rise up and
Shine, oh lost boy, when the
Opportunity knocks…
Put the wheels in motion
For a winner

© Lawrence T. Udo-Ekpo

Songs of Compassion

2007-01-23T17:06:00.001+10:30

I
Songs of
Compassion on a warm
Summer’s night…
The matriarch of Tamworth
Feeds the hungry child

II
I see a thousand
Angels, with wings of light,
Dancing…
With the refugees in the mean
Streets of Tamworth

III
The long quest
For future in the landscape
Of beauty & joy
The hidden river of tears
Under the rainbow

IV
In the
Shadow of dismay, they
Wait, in vain,
For signs of hope under
The Tamworth moon

V
Footprints
Of the lost boy in the
Sun-burnt country…
The sweet sound of a
Different drum

VI
A ray of hope
In the horizon, this
Year of the pig…
The golden wattle blooms
In the garden of dreams

© Lawrence T. Udo-Ekpo

The Good People of Tamworth

2007-01-18T13:18:00.000+10:30

The Australian country music town of Tamworth has, finally, succumbed to public pressure to allow just five penniless Sudanese families to settle in the area.

In a very special way, Tamworth has finally seen the light. Thanks, largely, to the effort of Mr. Robert Schofield, the town's eminent councillor and publican who took up the Sudanese cause in the council chambers. And won an amazing victory!

Not to be forgotten is the good work of Ken Fenton, the Anglican priest, who collected 1500 signatures in support of the refugees.

The Sudanese refugees are here to stay and the good people of Tamworth are right behind them - caring for their needs; supporting the resettlement effort.

For more stories on this topic, please visit: http://africanmigrants.blogspot.com

Sweet Breeze

2007-01-17T17:08:00.001+10:30

Sweet

Breeze on my face, after

The summer snow

The hibiscus flower

Blooms

The Wise Dog

2007-01-10T18:54:00.000+10:30

The wise dog
Of Findon digs in for
A fight over the
Bones of Christmas past…
The dream is still alive!

He learnt how
To catch the flying fox
By the wing
Who says you can’t teach an
Old dog some new tricks?

Dreaming of
Burying his bones on the moon
One summer night…
The naked ambition of the
Wise dog revealed

© Lawrence T. Udo-Ekpo

The Golden Dawn

2007-01-04T13:55:00.000+10:30

The New Year
In fancy clothes
Golden dawn

Like a blushing
Bride from the heavens
The New Year
Arrives with a bang…
The sound of silence

Dawn
Of the new age…
A year
Full of laughter
And music

The secrets
Of love and passion
Revealed…
This funny year
Of the pig

Gone are the
Years of solitude…
The last
Flurry of the
Summer snow

With a sunny
Smile and nimble feet
The Nubian
Finds his own rhythm in
The ancient land of OZ

© Lawrence T. Udo-Ekpo

Settlement Support for Children

2007-01-03T15:10:00.000+10:30

The Refugee Services based at the Netley Commercial Park, in South Australia, provides case management services for refugee children under the age of 18 years.

The settlement support includes direct access to local services such as housing, health, education, transport, and information; assisting in the development of social connections within the wider Australian society.

For further information, please contact: www.dfc.sa.gov.au

New Year Poem

2007-01-01T11:41:00.000+10:30

New Year
In the city of light...
The sound of hope

Feasting
In the ‘hood, this
New Year Eve
The enduring legacy
Of the epicurean past

Looking at the
The New Year with
Lustful eyes…
She found the golden
Heart of love divine

The old year
Goes off with a bang
The heart sings

The lost boy tells
His own story of survival
Year after year...
The golden wattle
Blooms

Inspired by
The cosmic birth of time
The naked poet
Sat on the rock
Writing his first tanka

Aussie New Year takes
The dreamtime city by storm
Sumptuous wind

Clowns
And comedians in
High spirits…
A gala ball at the
Dawn of time

© Lawrence T. Udo-Ekpo

Christmas Holiday Poem

2006-12-25T12:00:00.000+10:30

On the
Wings of the angels, this
Christmas morn
Rapt in the festive spirit
Of giving and sharing

Spread
A little Yuletide
Cheer
Among the forgotten souls…
Sow the seeds of joy

She looked
Into the eyes of hope
In the dawn
Of time…dreaming of a
Happy holiday in Eden

Behold the
Magnificent beauty of the
Christmas moon…
The landscape transformed
As the angels spread their wings

© Lawrence T. Udo-Ekpo

Waiting for Santa Claus

2006-12-22T18:09:00.000+10:30

Tired of
Waiting for Santa Claus
I ventured into the
Deepest corners of my being and
Discovered the real treasure within

The spirit of
Christmas cheer, it’s time to
Play Santa
To the poor and helpless…
The dying children of Darfur

A Christmas stocking
Full of goodies for the
Precious one…
The baby-faced angel
Next door

The Ethiopians in
Festive mood; pampering the
Christmas tree…
Sound of laughter in the house
Joyful lips!

© Lawrence T. Udo-Ekpo

Christmas in Diaspora

2006-12-18T19:32:00.000+10:30

Thinking of the
Poor souls in Diaspora
This festive morn…
A wobbly beginning of
The golden era

New age migrants
And the spirit of Christmas
Sharing
The joy and laughter…
Dining with devotion

Ah, the Nigerian
Chick in the footsteps of
Santa Claus
Singing the joyful songs, like
An angel in the morning

The Nubians and the
Desperate search for meaning…
Spirituality
In the African Diaspora
The sound of silver bell

The Acholi
Matriarch in the ‘hood
Cooking up a storm…
The magical food
Of love divine

Like a bird
Without wings, she sings a
Lovely song; dreaming
Of the Christmas cheer
With one eye open

Behold the Zulu
Princess in her element
Turning on the light ...
In the true spirit of the
Antipodean Christmas

© Lawrence T. Udo-Ekpo

Christmas Delights

2006-12-14T09:09:00.000+10:30

The rebirth
Of a nation’s migrant soul
In the
Nick of time; catching
The festive cheer

You came
Into my life, like the
Guardian angel
In hot pants; bearing...
Christmas gifts from the heart

She dances
To the sound of a different
Drum; unleashing
The free spirit within…
Frisky moon

‘Tis the season
Of fun, laughter and
Goodwill
In the field of dreams
Let’s feed the hungry child

She discovered
The mesmerizing rhythm of
Retail therapy
Nurturing the Christmas spirit
Drunk with the elixir of life

The naked poet found
A new lease on life, one
Christmas
Day, sweet triumph
Of the humble soul

© Lawrence T. Udo-Ekpo

Law Scholarship for Community Workers

2006-12-12T17:32:00.000+10:30

The Legal Services Commission of South Australia, under the auspices of the Adelaide Institute of TAFE, is now accepting enrolments for the Law for Community Workers course.

The good news is that Liz Ahern of the legal Services Commission has succeeded in obtaining funding for 10 scholarships for people from the new and emerging communities to do the course which starts early next year.

The course has a very practical focus on legal principles and processes relating to conflict resolution in a community setting. It is, primarily, aimed at community workers or staff in agencies involved in direct client contact.

For more information about the scholarship, please contact Liz Ahern on 8463 3570 or Email Ahern.Liz@saugov.sa.gov.au

Christmas Poem

2006-12-08T18:05:00.000+10:30

It’s all smiles
In the refugee street, this
Christmas morn
A neophyte dressed
As Santa Claus

She walked into
Eden with Christmas
Gifts from the gods
Sharing the joy with the poor
And the homeless

With angelic
Voice and limpid eyes
She sang
The Christmas carols
From the heart…

Cool cats
In a feeding frenzy
Devouring the
Mystical fruit…in full
View of the Christmas moon

Surprise gift
In my Christmas stocking
A dazzling
Songbird of the realm…
Why am I so blessed?

The beloved daughter
Of Eve in her Christmas best
Singing
The first noel…
Under the mistletoe

© Lawrence T. Udo-Ekpo

The Lost Boy

2006-11-29T22:32:00.000+10:30

The lost boy
Jumped for joy at the
Dawn of spring
Watching the glorious beam of light
His sorrows largely forgotten

Like the wandering
Moon, he now makes his
Bid for survival
With the radical molecules of
Ambition flowing through his veins

One day, he
Followed his dream to the city
Searching for fame
And fortune but lost his way…
In the soulless heart of time

Yet, his
Fighting spirit remains
Undaunted
In the face of adversity…
His dream largely unchanged

And, now, his infectious
Smile continues to open the windows
Of opportunity
Dismantling the barriers unseen
And melting the hearts of stone

© Lawrence T. Udo-Ekpo

The Island of Flowers

2006-11-23T19:50:00.000+10:30

Love
On the island of flowers
This day of spring
Frisky butterflies on heat
Sumptuous wings

Free spirits
In tender moments
Of absolute bliss
Bonding in secret places of
Beauty and mystery

Scent
Of the smitten Jacaranda
In bloom …
Sensitive tongues locked in silence
Amorous red lips full of joy

Carry me
On your golden wings across
The Milky Way
Oh sweet butterfly; vaulting
The great cosmic divide

The majestic
Beauty of African violets
Nourishes the soul
Breathing a brand new life
Into the antipodean garden

Beautiful is the land
And the glorious flowers that
Time forgot…
The simple pleasures
Of life foretold

© Lawrence T. Udo-Ekpo

The Dreamtime Adventures

2006-11-17T18:52:00.000+10:30

Her beautiful
Mind explores the dreamtime
Adventures
Of the lost boy in need
This restless year

Inspired
By the ravishing landscape
The tanka poet
Wrestles with the truth
Behind the metaphor

Beyond
The city lights, an
Enduring image
Of a restless soul caught
In the vortex of time

River
Of tears in the school of
Hard knocks…
But where’s the
Promised Land?

She walks
Boldly along the winding
Paths
Like an angel of the light
Nurturing the budding star

Behold
The secret places of
The heart…
Where the rainbow lorikeet sings,
The fragrant roses abound

© Lawrence T. Udo-Ekpo

Job Opportunity

2006-11-15T20:43:00.000+10:30

One of Australia’s biggest meat processors, T & R Pastoral, is seeking to entice the skilled and the unskilled workers to its abattoirs at Murray Bridge and Lobethal in South Australia.

The company is working closely with the Australian Refugee Association to employ refugees from the Sudan, Somalia, and Uzbekistan, according to The Australian newspaper report.

The company will pay employees’ relocation costs and provide subsidised rents and furnished accommodation to the new recruits.

Songs of the Matriarch

2006-11-08T21:14:00.000+10:30

There
Once was a matriarch
Who had a
Dream to nurture the
Darling buds of spring

Her
Melodious songs
Soothe
The heart and soul of
The lost boy on edge

She
Rekindles the forbidden
Passion
With precious gifts
From the heart

The neophyte
Gets a big dose of
Reality
Searching for the crumbs
From the master’s table

Behold
The lovely matriarch of Oz
Feeding
The fallen stars under the
Cloudless blue sky

She
Won the hearts
Of many
With soulful songs
Of hope

The sun shines
On the golden buds…
Elegant
Rose petals for the
Matriarch of hearts

© Lawrence T. Udo-Ekpo