LIFE IS SIMPLE YET COMPLICATED (poetry)

.... Written by Poetic Tee "Here, take a sip" 

Life
is
simple
yet
complicated

One would
pick a piece of wood
spend time to carve
a masterpiece

Another would
pick a similar piece
with it kindle a fire
to warm a soul

Both
achieving
a purpose
with an aim

Complicated
yet
simple
is
Life

(c)(r) 240114 Tijjani M. M.
12:37:03
all rights reserved

EDGE OF ETERNITY, BEYOND INFINITY (poetry)

... by Poetic Tee "Here, take a sip" 

What distinguishes
a bard
from ordinary folks

Is that, he
riding on his muse
journeys

Beyond the surface
beyond assumptions
beyond pretention
beyond imagination
beyond reasoning
beyond doubt
beyond knowledge
beyond certainty
beyond intelligence
beyond intellectualism
beyond spirituality
beyond mere faith
beyond the senses
beyond the sixth
beyond the seventh, if there is
beyond wisdom
beyond the universe
beyond eternity
beyond infinity

Arriving at the edge
of all known boundaries
and unknown dimensions

Kneeling at the source pool
through the stargate
dividing life and death

To reach to it
to scoop
only a handful

To drink of what
he alone finds there
and refreshingly return

Back through impossibility
to put to words
that

Which only words can describe
what words can not describe
for lack of a means better

In order to
make you believe
what was it, experienced

Only but a few
find it fit
to accept

Yet
would it different
from one far superior?

(c)(r) tijjani m. m.
@15:08:18 20140203
all rights reserved

CHERISH YOUR CRITICS (poetry)

…by Poetic Tee “Here, take a sip”

One says
"This guy's good"
Yet, a "critic" says
“You ain't a poet!”
Take both
in good faith
and heartily
laugh it out…
Hahahaha!

Well
Go and read
this poem titled
'Yet, I Ain't A Poet'
It'll gladden you
In fact, please you
making you
accommodate critics
of your works.

You see
You actually need them
depending on
how you use
their critical swipes
they could be fuel
for your brilliance
I tell you.

They burn
to keep you
rising
to the very top!
How could you
feel bad
with such
vital ingredients
for success?

So, cherish
honor and
respect them
Rejoice with
the fact
that your work
is worthy
of their time
and words.

©® 2014 Tijjani M. M.
All rights reserved

EMOTICONISM (poetry)

... by Poetic Tee "Here, take a sip" 

You are beautiful
not of body or physique
but of mind and soul.

And of voice
of your soul
which can be heard
not from your mouth
As mere sounds
but through your words
used to express
such deep rooted emotions

You are so scary
with your precision
as a words sculpturess.

Yes
what you present
is not poetry alone
but an original
priceless, sculptured piece.

This piece is
nothing, but pure
Emoticonism.

(c)(r) tijjani m. m.
@19:58:09 20140203
all rights reserved

VOICE OF MY SOUL (poetry) #Haiku

... by Poetic Tee "Here, take a sip" 

The voice of our souls
Ain't heard as sounds through our ears
But eyed as words penned.

(c)(r) tijjani m. m.
@20:22:37 20140203
all rights reserved

ADIEUS G'SQUARE (poetry) #18Haikus

... by Poetic Tee "Here, take a sip" 

Lost me a best friend
Yes, it's death again. This morn'
Tears torrent down... Sad

Didn't have time to say
Goodbye. Just like your welcome
A hurt struck my heart

You knew it was time
For you struggled to inform
Of your departure

You told someone that
"This's sure to end my sojourn"
So you reached to friends

Patiently waited
For my turn to come. It did
But, the snatcher won

Arrived to you, shrouded
White as cotton, stainless heart
I stood still transfixed

"G'Square I'm here"
You heard me whisper, you smiled
"Look at me in whites!"

You seem pleased with it
As if you've never worn white
Before. How could you?

"It is a bit tight
But I ain't complaining, no
I'm set to journey"

Perfume scents the air
Nose buds dripping with sadness
Tears stealthily poured

Cry not for me now
For 'Something must kill a man'
Pray for me instead

But, I remembered
You are to outlive me, yes?
So we joked and laughed

Yet, here you are
Gone with the swift wind of time
Leaving me downcast

Soon you were laid
In just enough room for one
No door, nor windows

I watched you lay still
I reminisced upon us
You stood like none else

We used to dream dreams
Together we would built them
Yet, you built this first

Now, alone I stand
Wondering why you, not I
As I cry for me.

So this is for you
A sincere adieus my friend
May we meet in bliss


(c)(r) tijjani m. m.
@21:10:09 0802014
all rights reserved

- *Dedicated to Late Garba Shittu Sakwaya*-
May his soul rest in piece, amin thumma amin

CRUSH OR FORGIVE (poetry)

...by Poetic Tee "Here, take a sip" 

Small is my might, against your infinite power
For I'm only but human, withering by the hour

On my own, imperfect, I'm in constant error
I find myself dressed in sorrow, fill with terror

Focus, calm and tranquil elude my 'nafs' pool
Only in your remembrance do I find my cool

Yes, I ought to know what truly pleases Thee
But heedful I am, again and for mercy I plea

I now kneel before Thee, my soul willingly I give
To crush if you so wish or mercifully to forgive

(c)2014 Tijjani M. M.
all rights reserved

DEFY THE IMPOSSIBLE (poetry)

...by Poetic Tee "Here, take a sip" 

Fly deep in the sea...
No need for all to see...
Before the truth can be...
That honey comes from a bee.

Swim high in the sky...
Where winged ones fly...
Those who believe not, sigh...
Others accept it without a "Why?"

One can live housed on the sun...
Have a partner, a pet and a son...
Breathing fire can even be fun...
Don't doubt, else you get a burn.

Think you not about the shadow...
Keeping you constant in a follow...
Till darkness becomes your fellow...
Back, only when light stages a show.

Diamonds are the hardest of stone...
Some hearts are harder as often shown...
If only the dead can answer the phone...
Many would have ceased to mourn.

After all said and done in full sight...
While I hang momentarily in mid flight...
In me this I believe without a doubt, slight...
I head home to the sun, while it shines bright.

(c)(r)2014 tijjani m. m.
all right reserved.

CONFLUX UNIVERSITY ADMISSION (poetry)

.....by Poetic Tee "Here, take a sip" 

Black, white, yellow or red, all shades of waters
Africa east to Americas, Europe north to Australia
Some come remote from up or down the 2 poles
Speaking a language so different, yet so natural
To all, admission is assured.

Jetty or crawler, clear or muddy, empty or fulfilled
Macho or meek, "Wow" or "Urghh", young, at heart
How do you wish to come, a 1000 means to choose
Make sure you're fit, for the accommodation is free
Admission here is for all.

This entry needs no special pH scale qualifications
Pre-school, Daycare or Kindergarten, why name it
Primary, High-School, Certificate or a Diploma
Degree, Masters, Ph. D or even a Prof, come y'all
Everybody'll gain admission.

No discrimination, no screening, no age limits
Distinction, 1st, 2nd, 3rd Class or a Pass
Come with a Failure or even a Withdrawal, still
You are better than he who refused to be schooled
Your admission is guaranteed.

Even beds that know not how to absorb or sprut
Simpletons, that live by the day, for the moment
Lunatics, imbeciles, addicts and the possessed
The guided, the wise, the lost and the wasted
All will surely be admitted.

Admission passes have since been filled, submitted
Congratulations all rivers, yes 100% successful
Now in-lets are open. Yet, most flow do not want
Others offer to defer, deny the downflow sealed
Too late, so just prepare. To oceans, in a gravity pull.

(c)(r)19022014 Tijjani M. M.
all rights reserved

IMMIGRATION RECRUITMENT SCAM. LEARNING FROM THE BEST

IMMIGRATION RECRUITMENT SCAM. LEARNING FROM THE BEST.... by Tijjani Muhammad Musa 

The youths of Nigeria are indeed a sorryful lot. Not only is their future almost completely destroyed, but they have now become the target of exploitations and extortions of the meager resources they have manage to collect or beg off their parents, relatives, friends, loved ones, kind souls walking the streets or stole, duped, defraud, prostitute off someone, through the now institutionalized national fraud. 

This burning, developing and current issue about applicants numbering over 700,000 paying N1000 each as part of the criteria for eligibility to vie for about 4000, yes just less than 4500 job slots in the Nigerian Immigration Service is nothing new in Nigeria. In fact, I would say the Interior Minister and his hired consultant, who executed the project on behalf of our Immigration Service have learnt the process from the best, Nigerian Universities. 

Each year through Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB), post-primary school students and other applicants, about a million plus in number from all over the country are made to apply for admission into Nigerian universities, polytechnics and colleges of education by buying JAMB Forms now at the rate of a non-refundable N4000 through some designated banks. 

Knowing fully that the number of openings in these institutions collectively are limited and so most of those who apply would not get placements. Yet applicants are encouraged to apply and sit for the exams. Where most of them end up being dropped for one reason or another. This is of course apart from those who are naturally weak academically and so bound to fail scoring the required cut-off marks, which are also different for each institution and their faculties and departments. 

Then again there is the post-University Matriculation Examinations (pUME), which is another designed exploitation mechanism deviced by these tertiary institutions to further exploit the students that managed to scale the JAMB hurdle. The successful secondary school graduands or past students who can show a minimum of 5 credits, which must include English and Mathematics in their Secondary School Certificate Examinations (SSCE) i.e. West African Examination Council (WAEC) or National Examination Council (NECO) would again purchase these pUME Forms of the post-Secondary colleges of their interest at the rate of a minimum of N2000 each and once again sit for their examinations. Another minimum cut-off marks are set, upon which out of several 100 thousands, less than 5 to 10, 000 candidates in total are offered the available space to pursue various academic programmes across human endeavors. 

Whatever happens to all the moneies generated from the yearly institutional event? Whatever happens to the candidates who have the qualifications to pursue their higher education, but are denied. And some, not because they are not able to meet all the basic requirements or criteria. Some are dropped for the simply fact that their names appear at the line below which the number of students wanted for a particular year, a particular course, in a particular department is met, even if they have fully passed. Some, who have scaled all the tests and met all conditions are further refused admission because the quota allocated to their region, state, local governments, tribe, religion etc has been met. 

And when rejected, no explanations are tendered to comfort these "failures". They can only re-apply the next time the whole 419 scam has commenced all over again. Thus you can meet an applicant who has gone through this very deceitful process more than 7 times or more. What harm does that do to his or her psyche, academic career, confidence, character and personality etc? This is the only country I know where a person is fully qualified, willing and able to pay and seek for further education, who then takes all the trouble to pursue it and yet, he or she is frustrated out of it, to the point of eventually giving up on the dream. 

And if he finally succeeds in gaining admission into a university, polytechnic and a college of education of his choice or not, to study a course of his choice or one forced upon him, because the course he wants to read is not available for him due to the school's short-coming, upon graduation, he ends up sitting at home with a degree qualification that becomes a burden. After the demoralizing situation has taken its toll upon him and he sees a job offer being advertized, he ends up meeting the likes of the ethic-less "I won't resign!" Interior Minister Abba Moro, his "smart" consultants Rexel Technical Global Nigeria limited who designed the scam, the "Don't blame us NIS" and the non-chalant government that takes the value of life of its citizens as nothing. 

Now, the question to ask here is; is this case a rare, isolated occurence or the recruitment norm with all our government agencies, ministries and parastatals? What kind of merciless system would demand payment from someone who is unemployed and so not suppose to have a source of funding in the first instance? Who could be so heartless to place a levy for a job offer that clearly has no guarantee, even for the qualified? Besides, knowing the way the cookie crumbles in Nigeria, the jobs advertisement is just a smoke-screen to recruit the sons, daughters and relatives of some selected few in the society. 

These unemployed Nigerians that paid their way in cash into this fraudulent NIS recruitment scam are all suppose to be given 'dole' i.e. unemployment benefits on a monthly basis, just like their counterparts in other parts of the world. But instead, what they end up with are injuries on their minds, bodies and souls and ultimately death for some 23 or is it 26 of them. With this unfortunate happening, it will be amazing if anything would be done to indict the culprits who commissioned, designed and executed this crime against the people of Nigeria. 

The blame game has already began. NIS is already exonerating itself and blaming the Minister Abba Moro for doing this all alone. If this incidence has come and gone without any mishaps, casualties or deaths, it would have been taken as normal and those who gained would simply smile to the banks and those who were scammed would have considered themselves another set of unlucky Nigerians, who never get to succeed in anything they tried their hands on. Sadly, some would have been so demoralized as to contemplate committing suicide or finally find their "elusive luck" to achieve that. 

How many other cases like this would have to happen before something serious is done to checkmate corrupt practices like this? What would the parents and relatives of the victims do about this misfortune that has befallen their possible source of income? Would the matter be swept under the carpet and business as usual continue, with another monumental crisis befalling Nigeria to make this one quickly forgotten like many others? Will the people who carried out this crime, if established beyond reasonable doubt be made to pay the price? So many questions, only time can provide answers to. We can only wait and see. But surely, this is another tragic, most unfortunate chapter in the history of our nation. 

Tijjani M. M. is a Blogger and public commentator. 

mmtijjani@gmail.com

WALK ON WATERS (poetry)

.....by Poetic Tee "Here, take a sip" 

Clear waters, lovely vistas
I feel the breeze from the sea
gently caressing my soul
via its shell,
standing precariously,
alone
pleased, on my piece of rock,
half embraced by the water.
By the way, did I mention
I am almost cladless
bare footed.

I look at the bright, clear, blue horizon
in the near distance,
and I see home,
a cool swim away.
But by choice
I stay here,
On my own,
away from it all
enjoying the serene silence
and the tapering soft splashes
against my presence.

For if I want
I can walk on the waters
away to where my roots
are deeply sunk deep.
Or may be
I should call on the winds
to give me a ride
without as much as
a flap of my wings.
Yet, I look to see peace, all around
in plentiful abundance.

And knowing what I know
I feel compelled to say
"Hey planet earth.
Come and get some of it,
here"

(c)(r)2014 Tijjani M. M.
all rights reserved

#20BornoAbductedGirls (poetry)

…by Poetic Tee ‘Here, take a sip” 

Once when we were young
I was taught to count
From one up to a hundred
Each of them numbers had
A symbolic value for me.

One stands for Allaah (God)
Two for excited lovers
Three is for a first born
And four, the earth corners.

So it goes, but for a number
Tried much as I could
To identify it with something
It refused to bulge, represent.

Now, it stands clear for all
With a conscience to see
That a girl-child is to cherish
And a virgin is to pride upon.

Not 1, 2, 6 or even a dozen
Imagine one such of yours
Forcefully taken, to be-kept
Against all known true creeds.

A mother wails "My daughter!"
A father who, rarely in tears
Stands helpless not knowing
Where to start, or even how.

Poor souls would want to ask
For which crime's the cruelty
Just like baby daughter of old
Queried why she was buried alive.

Day light that is comforting
Is terror filled in their hearts
What evil then harbors the night
As it comes visiting, numbing.

Someone care less, goes asleep
His sheep's not of the abducted
Another stands in prayers, in a
No concentration supplications.

What could have gone wrong?
As neighbours go about the day
As if frightened souls aren't left
At the mercy of their captors.

Think you all not, today it's them
Tomorrow might be your turn
How'd you cope if left alone
With a situation so compounded?

So what if that's how he behaved
When it was another's cry, ringing
True death isn't a cease in breath
It's but to walk dead as a spirit.

O, still want to know the number
That waited till now to take up its
Stand on the no-ovation podium
20 is it, just in case you do care.

And to the #20BornoAbductedGirls
My sincere, prayers go out to you
Whoever you are, wherever you may be
May God Help you in this trauma of today.


©® Tijjani M. M.
20142102@18:09:19
All rights reserved

CRITICISM, A NECESSARY EVIL (poetry)

.... by Poetic Tee " Here, take a sip" 

She's not a good critic
possibly not even
nor does she need
to be labelled asone.

But she can be
very destructive
and thorough
when she decides
to take a piece
down.

And can be
very nasty, mean
and quite effective
when at it too.

So what else
does a critic do
really?
If not
give you something
you badly need to excell
even if it's
against your wish.

She get threats
hate messages
boycotts
removals
bans
inspire gang-ups
and very serious sanctions
for puncturing
some writers' egos.

And who actually
needs that (ego)
but one with a
serious complex
superior or inferior
a complex is a complex

She knows herself
for she is she
in that regard
(knowing herself that is).

And out of choice
she likes being nice
constructive
objective
sincere
she absolutely adores it.

Someone asked
"Has any statue
ever been raised
in honour of a critique?"
None that one knows of
None at all.

And when she learnt
some writers gave up writing
some were mentally retarded
some even committed suicide
out of their literary spills
being criticized
"Wow!"

One often wonders
"Seems only sadists
would choose that
as a past time
a hobby or much worse
a profession."

But, yet criticism
is a necessary "evil"
for literary excellence.
This much is believed.

And certain jobs
have to be done
no matter how much
one will be detested
for doing it
or who's ox is gored.

So critics,
As Shakespeare said
"If music be the food of love,
then play on"

(c)(r)2014 Tijjani M. M.
all rights reserved

"Free Birdie": THE PHENOMENON (poetry)

.... by Poetic Tee "Here, take a sip" 

What is it?
Is it a bird, is it a plane?
Or may be a cloud?
It can't be a "bat"
Not in full flight, in broad daylight
It's visible or seems to be, right?

Now, that's what this's all about!
Touch it, feel it, pass through it
You can, ask those who know
It shape-shifts
Physically abstract
It's there, yet it isn't.
Are you sure?
Be sure, if you can... :)

Imposing indeed
And fully spread
Now, you see that
It forms for a moment
For a purpose
Executes it, then "Whooosh!"
It disappears.

See, may be. Hear, silence
For only those
Within the vicinity
Bear witness to its manifestation
And even capture its appearance
Evidently
For all to see.

Now, that isn't a bird
But a "free birdie" phenomenon.
Just imagine a hunter's folly
Laying a trap to catch that
Or waiting for it to perch
At night to catch it.
Will he ever succeed?

Lack of appropriate word
To describe the phenomena
Makes the word "birdie"
Come into play.
Only such a means
Can remotely convey
The amazing mystery
The "free birdie" phenomenon is...

(c)(r)2014 Tijjani M. M.
all rights reserved

THE IT (poetry)

.... by Poetic Tee "Here, take a sip" 

Who can explain please
Why it seems to appear
On so many surfaces
In so many places
Both within and without
Many a natural creations
And unconsciously, even in the man-made?

Clouds in the sky float it
Mountain snow in the Alps writes it
Trees and plants in the wild weaves it
Furs, skins and scales wantonly pride it
Uncountable media gayly express it
Who could be one that mysteriously calligraphs it?

Can someone please help
Deconstruct how animals
Unintelligent, beasts, savages
Humbly repeats the IT
So audibly, clearly, precisely
Morning, noon and night
Common denominator in all things created

A cock in India crows it
A bull in Russia moos it
A lion in kenya roars it
A crow in Brazil squaws it
A cat in New York meows it
A baby barely able to speak utters it
Mankind across continental divides chant it

Where art thou O tattoo artists
Who draws or writes as one desires
Art on human colours for a fee
Or the plastic surgeons and their quarks
Who cut-change natural features
To "beautify" or nullify, real or abstract
Can any match, even remotely the Who?

On a room curtain flawlessly celebrates it
On a finger print minutely incorporates it
On a human face amazingly reveals it
On a left-hand held up in "Ok", signifies it
On an innocent infant's ear portraits it
On a delicate eye's pupil, expertly depicts it
On a muddy earth, a child at play exposes it

In the least expected of places
To ears that never heard of the language
Eyes that have never seen the artistry
To a culture that's totally isolated
And minds sunk deep into ignorance
Unto them manifests the spectacular
To their awe, their mersmery, the IT

Beautiful music excites the soul with it
Sounds inaudible silently announces it
Chaotic noise in bangs tries to hide it
Yet, decibels above and below flicks it
Many voices heard or unheard of sings it
While some abhors and even detests it
Many more, for dear life embrace and cherish it

So, what is the IT?

(c)(r)2014 Tijjani M. M.
all rights reserved

GOLD OR BOLD? THE EMMAN SHEHUS (poetry)

.... by Poetic Tee "Here, take a sip" 

The tree use to bear such precious fruits
Cultivated, much desired, highly priced, even exported
Few amongst us know their self-worth, we've lost value
For now, only the rotten stench of greed pervades the air.

Some iconic in status, were disgracefully
Exposed to be hollow within, by a coin sight
Donkey to a carrot, dangled deceit by their lord
Stuffs abundant in their pouches, baits for the gullible, fish.

Some are called to serve in a vain mission
A recognition invite to waste and to distract
Sacrificing hard-earned image and reputation
To be flimsily used and tarnished for life, for aye.

Similar have come and gone
Their names now down in the gutters of time
Breathing, what glory except bad mention, forgotten
Sound minds made fools of by sound fools. Hmmm, not you.

A colussus without
A humble intellect within
On offer is riches, silver and gold
But can it be worthier than a good name written bold?

Emman Shehu said:
"I always think
Before taking decisions
Based on certain principles...

Is it the TRUTH?
Is it FAIR to all Concerned?
Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?"

Simple words
These might seem to be
But many today do not have it in them
To think them, to express them, to live them.

They are rare, they are scarce
Becoming extinct, the lasts of their lot
Look, a billion moving bees in blanket coloring
Who's that with a different hue in their midst?

Yes, who's that?

(c)(r)2014 Tijjani M. M.
all rights reserved

THE YING OF MY YANG (poetry)

.... by Poetic Tee "Here, take a sip" 

~ Dedicated to All Women on this special occasion of International Women's Day 08th March, 2014.

Who's a woman?
What's she to me? Well...

She's my mother
My teacher
She's my wife
My climatic ecstacy
She's my helper
My confidant
She's my daughter
My sister
She's my worries
My joy and pain

She's my lover
My excitement
She's my partner
My companion
She's my dreams
My reality
She's my comforter
My jealousy source
She's my friend
My trustee

She's my this, my that
She's even much mo'.

She's my home-keeper
My health monitor
She's my fashionista
My manicurist
She's my cook
My "Welcome home :)"
She's my cleanser
My auditor
She's my accountant
My manager

She's my adviser
My defender
She's my judge
My jury
She's my soul-mate
My safe-haven
She's my inspiration
My revelation
She's my life's sweetness
My salvation

She's my one and only
My everything

365 days each without you
Is like a year without the sun
Only, you, are even better
Than the universe so far away
For where the sun shines not
Your warmth keeps my phi alive
And there is no joy, no pleasure
No life, where there's no woman
Where there's no you, no I
My breath, my heartbeat...

You are my purpose of existence
The Ying of my Yang.

(c)(r)2014 Tijjani M. M.
all rights reserved.

LOVE ZENITHAA, PARADISIAA (poetry)

.... by Poetic Tee "Here, take a sip" 

I didn't author this:

~ "The One
who loves you
will never leave you
because
even if there are
100 reasons
to give up
he will find
one reason
to hold on." ~

But I find
exactly
the way I feel
for you
in it.

Besides
there's not
1 single reason
to hold off
loving you
but a 100
reasons
to cherish you
even more
to eternity.

In my heart <3 br="" nbsp="">you'll find a street
named after you
in its mERA
(most-exclusive reserved area)
called Love Zenithaa
is the lush 'Paradisiaa'
your home
lacking in nothing.

And even
when am gone
i'll leave it behind
just for you
that you might
never, ever
live this life
without being
loved.

Only then
am I at bliss
at peace
In tranquil
na'im...

(c)(r)2014 Tijjani M. M.
all rights reserved