Scented Leaves

like the fine dust
of the immortal soul
you plod along
the luminous landscape of time
sowing the divine
seeds of heaven
in full view of Venus
and the exploding stars
of the baby universe

and over the rainbow
the inner core of being unveils
her mysteries as you moan
and groan
in ecstasy
spreading like an edible cloud
in all its glory
as the night shines like the day

the naked thunder roars
when the luscious moon captures
the moment
in my secret garden
as the scented leaves flower
into spring bloom
feeding the flame
of desire
at the crack of dawn

your smile blossoms
on my pillow; shining
like the light of a thousand moons
nourishing
my body and soul
like this drop of honey
on my hungry lips



© Lawrence T. Udo-Ekpo

The Dreaming Sky

it’s a long journey
to the realm of dreams
where the spring
water flows
with vivid colours
of the rainbow

yet, the cricket
does not sing
there is nothing
in the periphery of society for those in need
under the dreaming sky
there is absolutely nothing but the voice of compassion
the gentle waves of heaven
as the earth moves

the restless struggle
for survival
continues unabated
even as the moon
glows in silence
showering me
with the divine blossoms
this ancient night

hunger raises its
ugly head despite all these
loaves and fishes

poverty sweeps across
the dreamscape of promise
like the chill wind
from the Snowy Mountain
bathing
the young lives
in bitter tears
and pricking the moral
conscience of the nation



© Lawrence T. Udo-Ekpo

The Cold Wind of Change

behold a new migrant
from the oasis of ancient
delights; limping along
the fatal shore
like the lost boy in the shadows of life
searching for solace

you are a child of great promise
a wonderful soul
in the process of becoming
eking out a meagre living
with a deep feeling
of emptiness as the earth listens

you battle
the cold wind of change
on the long and winding
path of destiny
miraculously breaking
the back of adversity
as the light shines upon you

like a player in the cyber theatre
of our time, you put the
finer details of your journey
in the public domain
sharing the moon…
sacrificing your soul
in the magical world of endless selfie
dancing like the desert rose
in the temple of narcissus

now, you grow by leaps and bounds
as hope blossoms in earnest
and as the rainbow lorikeet sings
in the first light of dawn
you rise like the Sphinx
in the spaces between dreams




© Lawrence T. Udo-Ekpo