Contemplation on the Odu Oshe Iwori

What is
Art?
A question often asked
and rarely answered
however there is only
one thing to say
Art
True art
is not about
beauty
since defining beauty is both
illusive and meaningless
Art
is when the artist
reveals to us
by any medium
a vision of
ourselves
When even one person
sees
hears
feels
tastes
smells
your creation
and is able find
themselves
in it
you have created
Art

Contemplation on the odu Ofun Okanran ( Ofun Okana )

If you hope to see

the ballet

don’t purchase tickets to 

the circus

no matter what the salesman

promises

a clown in a tutu

remains

a clown in a tutu

even if you squint

really hard

when leaving

don’t be shocked

when you step on

something 

stinking and foul

with so many animals

entering and leaving

the stage

it’s inevitable that one will

relieve itself 

in an inopportune spot

Welcome to the 

circus we call life

where someone is always willing to

part with their

money

power

mind

all in the name of

advancement

too bad they’re not the ones

who’ll advance

Contemplation on the Odu Ogunda Odi ( Ogunda idi )

Love
war
two sides
same coin
each creates such
chaos and confusion
that even the most
seasoned veterans
can lose their
way
Blanketing our minds
with a thick mist
lines become blurred
and simple decisions are
anything but
In those moments when
the world is turned
upside down
stop
breathe in
and release all
illusion
Let wisdom clear your
sight
and lift the
fog of love

Contemplation on the Odu Owonrin Obara (oworin obara)

The creases in my hands

Grow deeper

Brown and worn 

Giving voice to thoughts

without uttering a sound

Passing ideas

Through time and space

magically connecting 

you and I

physically

visually

mentally

a philosophical symphony

conducted on paper

With pen and ink

Listen closely 

as they narrate

the never ending 

tale of humanity

and you might find

me

more importantly

your might find

yourself

Contemplation on the Odu Ika Ogbe ( Ika gbe )

We all

want to love

and be loved

Not worshipped

not praised

not put on a pedestal

even if sometimes we 

think 

we want those things

The problem is

we often put obstacles

in our own path

But

You can break

free

Quiet your mind

close your eyes

see like the blind

without physical shape

to cloud the true nature

of another

Listen to the music

of their life

if you are struck

with inspiration

dance without fear

and you might find

they will dance

with you

that

is

love

Contemplation on the Odu Eji Ogbe ( Ejiogbe , Ogbe Meji)

Our lot

Our destiny

Our successes

Are made from 

5 simple ingredients

Sadly, most only recognize

The first four

Intelligence

Persistence

Timing

and

Hard work

It’s the fifth ingredient that is

the most important of all

Call it what you like

Luck

Chance

Chaos

No one can escape it

In fact

Our very existence

Is subject to it

So before you 

Pat yourself on the back

For a job well done

Give luck its due

Humility may not save you

But it might make you

A better person

Contemplation on the Odu Odi Okanran ( Odi Ocana )

We have
given in
to our basest selves
When we allow
madmen and charlatans
to hold court
We have
lost our way
in a darkened wilderness
When we allow
blind fools
to carve our path
We have
forgotten humanity
When we allow
ourselves
to ignore the weak and vulnerable
How did we get here?
More importantly
How do we leave this
wretched state?
Lest we fall victim
to the same demise
of so many
who lived before us
Forget your differences
and remember
We are all
Mothers
Fathers
Sons
Daughters
Brothers
Sisters
We are all
Humans
Who need
care
and
love
If we are to
survive