Contemplation on the Odu Ogbe Otura

Habit is a demanding
And reckless lover
Seductive and tender
Just before abandoning
You in a flurry of abuse
But fear not
Soon enough
it will return
Apologizing for the various
transgressions
Filling you with hope
And sweet promise
As the cycle
begins
anew
Wash your eyes
and see things
for what they are
only then will you
cast off the anchor
that weighs you
down

Contemplation on the odu Irete Ogbe (ategbe)

Follow me
I’ll open the door
To a place you
haven’t visited
for some time
A world above
the clouds
and beyond the moon
hidden in the mind of
a child
Let's take a train
you and I
while sipping tea
and nibbling scones
as we journey
through the stars
to a metropolis
in the sky
Where elephants fly
cats play chess
and you can
enjoy an espresso
with an antelope
Before you leave
don’t forget
there’s a small bookstore
you must visit
Mr. Kurguin’s House of
Chai, Books and other minor miracles
A simple shop
with an unassuming entrance
though a bit difficult to find
Step inside and you’ll see
a world of possibilities
amidst endless stacks of books
big and small
as far as the eye can see
Here
There
and everywhere
Mr. Kurguin
will guide you
a quiet old man
with a mischievous smile
and a twinkle in his eye
meanders the forests
tending to his
garden of thoughts
wander until something
catches your fancy
then sit a spell
with a cup of
smoky Russian tea
Lost in the pages
a portal to
another place
You may forget
the time of day
months pass in a
heartbeat
There is one thing
I surely know
you'll never leave
empty minded
and your journey
home
will be filled with
adventure

---- Inspired by the art of Elise Hurst - illustrator, artist & children's author