Inner Beauty

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

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African Pilgrims

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

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