Musing of a Random Lagos Bus Hopper

As much as I hear complaints about the state of buses in Lagos, it has become a fun thing I do. so I would implore everyone who has a car to experience what the "other half" go through, well..before you feel too self important, I would like to remind you, how you used to get on these buses you loathe now..

I was in a bus going home after the hard labor at work and the driver made it the highlight of my boring day, I got to the bus stop and the scene played out like this

"Ajah market!!!...wole pelu #200"..the conductor who is an old man shouted.
Thankful that I got a bus, hurried in before I  would spend eternity getting a bus.going my way. I am certain that all the bus drivers held a meeting to only go half way: mainly Jakande/Chevron
"Your side"...the conductor told the driver, the conductor forgot to settle the Agbero" waiting at the bus stop.
"Abi o ya were, O so ara e" the agbero made a move to take out something of worth inside the bus
" Ode ni e"  I wo oloshi; shey  iru ise yi lo le fi le fun awon omo e, emi baba mi lo ko mi ni ise yi"the driver retorted

Did you get all that? oh well, the job of translating  isn't so fancy but would try it do that we can all be on the same page

"Ajah market...enter with your #200" the conductor who is an old man shouted
Thankful that I got a bus, hurried in before I would spend eternity getting a bus going my way. I am certain that all the bus drivers held a meeting to only go half way: Jakande/Chevron
"Your side"( meaning the driver should drive out)the conductor forgot to settle the Agbero"( guys who collect money from conductors for every trip they go) waiting at the bustop.
" Are you mad? you had better be careful" the agbero made a move to take out something of worth inside the bus
" you are stupid" you are crazy. can you pass on this kind of work to your children in future? my father taught me this job".the driver retorted

I think I did a great job.


Mehn....I couldn't just contain myself, I thought I was the only one, we all cracked up...after all the ruckus, we calmed down and had a debate about it....i mean me and the other passengers inside the bus

like really, strangers bonding.... it sure was a deal breaker for me...and a beginning for more of this.
Taking out my blog bible and placing my right hand on it, I say.
I, Nancy hereby solemnly swear to always take the bus, I promise to take a writing pad with me when I do so I can write and capture the moments.

Are You Ready for Love? or Already in Love?

I have had India Arie's "Ready for love" song on repeat since I heard it. in-case you haven't heard it, i took the liberty of uploading  the link.http://www.dilandau.eu/download-songs-mp3/ready-for-love-india-arie/1.html ( you are welcome).

India Arie is soul, and the song is a testament to that, so if you like acoustic-this song you will love.

it is open, stripped and deep and it got me wondering, if really love is such a Big thing one has to be ready for!
Kelly Rowland puts in her song( forgive, I can't remember the title)  but has lines that says....
                   love lives in strange places
                   its the area we never choose
                   it might find us when we least expect it
                   we never know until we just let go

So then people, Two strong women can't be wrong!!!

The world as I see it in my mind doesn't exactly add up, we all crave companionship, we want freindship, we really love to be in sync..you know the butterfly feelings all those characters  in harlequin,mill and boons have? yes exactly....who doesn't want that.

However, to love is to be loved; that ain't no theory people, it is fact.

You Answer

You call, we whisper

We call, You answer

Never letting go

Your love is unshaken even if we think No

Some have searched yonder

Others serve the one called thunder

Even though we haven’t seen

Even when most never seem keen

Lusting instead..the things of the flesh

They become entangled…as in a mesh

For those who know

You make us whole

You never let our foot hit against a stone

You knew us before we came

You know our needs before we say hey

Your promises endureth

Of this we are sureth

When we call, You answer.

Loose

No sooner had he left
The ache and desperation my heart felt
Never thought I could feel vulnerable
Always thought the fortress I built was impenetrable 

Always holding back
Just so it wouldn't hurt when you decide to pack
Before my "naked" eyes
The love you showed melted the ice

I was headstrong,just couldn't give in yet
Hence treated you like dirt
Patiently you waited
Like you knew I wouldn't get enough once sated

Finally I decided to give you something I always do to insufferable people
Gave you a chance to prove me wrong
Out of my misery, the truth was wrung

Oh! I could sing a song
Of the times we had
On autopilot,our love blossom
Oh! How awesome

Thanks for being the irritable person you were
Never giving up on us
I would be eternally grateful
Because with you I'm hopeful

You taught me a valuable lesson
Always fight for what you want
Never give up on love
Can't wait to make an honorable out of you!

short poem

She told me I was lazy
Said she seen my future and it looks hazy
Thank God, for his grace I am here
She dares not come close out of fear
..............................
If only I had today
Would I will it away?
If only I were rich
Would I still preach?
If only I could see the world
Would I still be bored?
If only I had it all
Would I rest on my oars?

Naivete

Drowning in a sea of emotion
Clowning in the midst of confusion 
If only they knew 
How he flew
Now it's not just only a question of how
But where to plow

Wailing in the heat of desperation
Crying in company of their companion
Waiting for an answer
Even as they sit and wonder

Green with envy they sit
Cuss words they spit
If only they thought to ask
He would have taken them up to the task.

Mirror on her wall

Preening In her bedroom mirror
Sashaying even though she's a minor
Batting her eyelids like she can attract boys
Even though she outgrown her love for toys 

Entranced the society was
Jostling for attention as she waltz
Craning their necks to steal a glance
Ready to thrust their opponent with a lance 

Thrashing around In an attempt to evade
the strong hold of the master's chain
Ready to embark on the road the dreams paved
hoping to win the battle she craved
To put an end to the longing
Free to do her bidding

Abused

Uptight you are
You have become nocturnal like an owl
Like an addict with the pill
Waiting for the kill
I question 
The absurdity behind your action
Only to be told 
She walked out and left you in the cold
Thus you closed your heart 
To cupid's dart
Hard lines replaces the upturn smile your face once radiated
Your eyes like a shutter,hiding the laughter once seen
Your lips like a dagger,erasing the memory of the soothing word it held
Your vice-like grip assaulting the tender touch it once knew.
As I struggle to comprehend
Am overwhelmed by your grief
Yet finding ways to amend
And thaw the cold and lonely path you walk
So here I am saying: let's talk

Freedom, she craves

Eyes wide shut
Lips drawn in a pout
Fingers locked together in a clasp
Hair imprisoned in a wrap
Kneels held together in a clamp
Body clothed in a rag
Who am I ?
I have become a slave.
It's name indelible it carves
Maiming my body, but never my spirit.
Oh! freedom I crave.
With tears running down my face.
My feet ready for flight.
Wary not of the dangers of the night.
Thirsting for a glimpse of light.

The Search

Wandering man!
What thou seeketh
A bed to lay thy head
Or a warm meal to fill thy belly

Brady man!
What thou seeketh
The luxury of wealth
Or an established name

Wearied man!
What thou seeketh
A place to call home
Or a babe to soothe thy pain

Sleeping man
What thou seeketh
The comfort of a safe world
Or the escape of reality

short poems

Beauty unrivaled. Love unequaled. 
Hearts entwined with bonds unbroken. 
The promise I give a precious token. 
With my lips the words are spoken. I LOVE YOU!!!

..............................................

Dear weary bone
even as you cope
with life's scope
never lose hope
there will always be a way
some would tell you to pray
however, never lose sight
because you just might
find that you have reached the height.
just because you held on..

.........................................
Shadows creep
Whilst the night sleep
Keep watch over the babes in the crib
Lest they fall for the master of glib
..................................................
A boulevard of dreams 
A collage of scenes
A lip-full of kisses 
A heart-full of praises

Camoflage

Lifting the veil covering the wide path of the human's psyche.
I take a sneak peek
Emboldened.....I walk further in
searching deeper, looking for understanding
....in their emotion
among this sapiens..there was commotion
I hear angry words...their pain ripping like music chords
Some wailing about their misery
Others screaming about their life of penury
Some think they are judged by their color
Many can't wait to live the life of valor...
Seeing enough, I retreat, closing the veil

Shutting out their wail
Shaking myself out of the reverie, I smile yet I look pale
Oh! I exhale.
Behold,  the understanding dawns
Like ray of light.... it comes
Hence my pause...
However, there is a clause.
Who can champion this cause

To unify the revelation on
The diversity of man!
The versatility of man!
The individuality of man!

Picturesque

Take a walk with me...
Hold my hand, I’ll show you what I see…
Vast land and seas
Arid ground and different seasons
The beauty of the rising sun; giving meaning to the dawn
The splendor of the sky above; bringing solace to the Eagle
The warmth of the open air; causing the rise and fall of many heartbeat
The blanket of cover from tree branches; casting shadows across the meadow
The wetness of the dew; heralding the manna for the day
The rain drops on the ground; sprouting forth new life from the earth
The shinny stars; taking guard over the moon
The brighness and whitness of the moon; illuminating the night
The silent night; rocking the sun in its cradle
The loud snore of the fat man; sending shivers down our spine
The toothless smile from the babe; selling the story of the innocent
The celebrations; drumming into our hearts the necessity of our culture
The heartfelt praise; thanking God for the grace to see the beauty of the world he created.
I bet only one word could describe all these: picturesque

Her mama lives on

Mama...
Calling your name out loud brings tears to my eyes
But knowing I can still talk to you lifts the veil of sadness
Memories is all people say I can hold unto
Yet i feel you close when I lay in bed overwhelmed with grief
Telling me in that soothing voice I have come to listen to(for): I am here, everything will be alright.

Mama...
If I could rewind the hands of time
You'd still be here
You are the sun in my world
Having you gone; I am left groping in the dark
My arms are outstretched
Looking for guidance
Yet when I remember your smile,
My world regains balance

Mama...
Words are not enough to describe your influence in our lives
Thoughts are not enough to build an edifice to show the world your greatness
Yet your name: inscribed with an indelible pen in our hearts
Your face; a permanent imprint in our minds
I will always cherish the moments spent with you

Free spirited

I wanna paint
Trust me,it won't be quaint
Neither sparing my pastel
Nor my palette
I picture my canvass
Like a vulture eyeing a carcass 

The picture in my head 
Like the grain stored in a shed
My brush ready
Though not certain there is a category for me in the Grammy's

Splashing,spraying
Whoosh!my brush goes!
Oh!the likes of this will never have clones

The Father's Love, the Child's thoughts

Like a potter...
painstakingly... beautifying the clay
so too her beauty as clear as day
yet her demeanor...ugly as a gutter.

Like a pastor...
jealously...watching over his flock.
so too her royalty solid as a rock.
yet her passion...compelling as that of an actor.

Hope

Into the deep, and swiftly I sink
Pushing, this murky water I drink
My arms are lead, I struggle with the wave
I wish, I hope, I pray for a save

Begging for release, my feeble body screams
Fading... The light in my eyes dims 
Darkness beckons, yet your face reveals
Your voice of reason, your voice that heals

I yearn to hold, I reach for you
Our hands are clasped, I feel brand new
My strength unravels, deep down within
This endless night, shall not take me in

Out of the deep, and swiftly I rise
Pushing, and away, the water dries
My arms are strong, I fight with the wave
My hope restored, my heart is brave.

Truth

Truth as often told... 
Always comes without mold... 
Never wanting to be bought nor sold... 
It wears no mask... Always up to the task...

With arms outstretch... It hides nothing...
Seeking something... telling everything... 
It exposes lies... never had ties with deceit... 
Wouldn't compete for power... 
yet its presence make the enemy cower...

Regrets

We were good
We was hood
We had a lil issue
You ran for the tissue
We had our laughs
Why cant we have the shouts?
If friendship were made of gold
Ours, you would have sold.
The loss shouldn't have cut deep
Tainting the memory,I wanna drop in a heap
We could have forever
But you walked out saying whatever!!

Bruised

Tell tale signs
First glance is in the eyes
As always, the fist ready to leave a mark
The hands,willing to toss you out in the dark
Oh! the tongue, ever ready to hit below the belt
Like ice you start to melt
Sinking deeper into the gloom, you become a welt
The bond of attachment pulls you in, and its a walk over
With no where to hide or take cover
Stripping you off every priceless jewel, you are left unclad
Made to be the punching bag for the skill you never knew he had.
You could be given an award for honing your story telling ability in short notice
Making excuses for your absence at gathering,
You could be likened to a novice
You suddenly become the nun
Your friends you gladly shun.
Starting to wonder if there is any truth behind the saying
hell hath no fury like a woman scorned!

Wishes

She feels vulnerable
She looks miserable
All she wants is to be lovable...
She is yearning...
Well….that's all I’m telling
Like baby steps, she’s all for learning...
Like India Arie..she is ready for love
Unlike Adele. she isn't hiding her heart,
Not wanting to be on the wrong side of a love song like Melanie... 
She just wants her story to have a good script and directing like Kelani...