Who was your most influential teacher? Why?
My Maths Teacher. Oh, Mr. Lawal was known for his long cane anytime he made his way to the class. We all loved him for his humour and intelligence but don’t you ever mess up in his tests or exams, he will glog you without mercy. He was a good man and a disciplinarian to the core. May God bless his beautiful soul. I bet wherever he is now in Heaven , he will be smiling at how fantastic all his students have turned out to be.
Whispers, soft and soulful, resonate within my mind,
Echoing through the depths of my consciousness,
Speaking of darkness and lost kinship,
Tangled within the web of synapses.
A broken spirit yearns to break free,
Yet my heart remains steadfast,
Resisting the allure of madness.
In this ongoing battle, I stand strong,
Voices once clamorous now mere whispers,
I will regain my sanity, anon.
I will prevail, break free, and shine anew,
Anonymous, yet resilient.
© Ifedolapo Ogunniyi
2024
Aching in the stillness of my fragile bones,
When every movement feels like stones,
I switch off from the world’s loud din,
And let silence tenderly begin.
My muscles sing a weary song,
Reminding me I am frail and strong,
I go mute, no words can escape,
Just whispers of a tired landscape.
Shutting down becomes my retreat,
In solitude, my pain feels complete,
Yet in this quiet, I find my peace,
As soreness fades, and troubles cease.
For in the darkness of this night,
I rest my soul, renew my light,
And when the dawn breaks, soft and clear,
I rise again, with strength so sincere.
© Ifedolapo Ogunniyi
2024
What do you wish you could do more every day?
Help as many people as possible – financially, and with words of encouragement.
In a small hut, where moonlight plays,
Lives Sara-Jones in her solitary ways.
No kin, no friend to share her nights,
She finds solace in starry heights.
Alone she dwells, away from the crowd,
Her fears of people, silent but loud.
Yet, in the darkness, she finds her peace,
With her feline friend, worries release.
At night, she emerges, a silent sprite,
Gazing at stars, her tranquil delight.
Planting her dreams in the earthy ground,
Her garden blooms, a refuge she’s found.
No need for markets, no need for strife,
Her garden sustains her secluded life.
A woman of strength, despite her fears,
Hoping for courage to dry her tears.
She says no hello
Though deep inside such a pleasant fellow
The sight of peple scares
Though she really wants to let out her smiles
O Sara-Jones, in your hidden grace,
May courage blossom, fears embrace.
May stars above guide your weary way,
And loneliness turn to dawn’s bright day.
© Ifedolapo Ogunniyi
2024
Are you superstitious?
No I am not. My heart is innocently plain and true.
(An Unrepentant Abuser)
No more the harm, I sound my alarm,
Long have I wronged, it’s time to be charmed.
You are not the plight, I have seen the light,
Deserve much more, my wrongs take flight.
I have felt so low, a grand sorrow’s flow,
You are my hero, I failed to show.
A life so bright, envy in sight,
Yet inside, I hide a shadow’s bite.
I release your heart, we must depart,
Find an angel to mend the part.
For you, the best, let peace invest,
My dungeon’s guest, I will bear the crest.
It’s not just adieu, but a path anew,
Forgiveness is due, for sins I accrue.
Though tough to grasp, our final clasps,
Time now rasps, freedom gasps.
(c) Ifedolapo Ogunniyi
2024
Pensive I sit alone,
A dutiful wife, my love I have shown.
My heart, a fortress, steadfast and true,
Yet shattered by the secrets I now rue.
Through years of vows, I stood by his side,
In trust and in faith, I could not abide.
But shadows whispered of his hidden schemes,
Revealing truths beyond my wildest dreams.
I tended home with love and care,
While he roamed, unaware.
His smiles hid the lies he spun,
As my trust waned, my heart undone.
Each bill paid, each coin saved,
A testament to the love I craved.
But his deception, a weight I bore,
Leaving my spirit bruised and sore.
The whispers of deceit grew loud,
Breaking through our once-happy shroud.
I bore the burden of his lies,
Watching love’s light slowly die.
My love, a beacon in the dark,
But truth’s sharp arrow left its mark.
With weary eyes and silent cries,
I whispered softly, my last goodbyes.
Tonight, I surrender the fight,
A dutiful wife, forsaking what’s right.
My love, a casualty of lies untold,
As I walk away, my heart grows cold.
© Ifedolapo Ogunniyi
2024
Write a letter to your 100-year-old self.
Dear Future Me,
As I sit down to write this letter, I cannot help but wonder what life must be like for you, a century ahead of me. I hope you are reading this with a smile on your face, filled with memories of a life well-lived.
First and foremost, I want to express my deepest admiration and love for you. You have weathered a hundred years of life’s ups and downs, and yet here you are, still standing strong. I imagine you must carry within you a wealth of wisdom and experiences that I can only dream of at this moment.
I hope you have had the chance to love deeply and wholly throughout your life. Whether it was a partner, family, or friends, I hope you have cherished every moment spent with those you hold dear. Love is the most precious gift we have in this world, and I hope you have embraced it with open arms, even in the face of challenges and heartache.
I also hope you have pursued your passions relentlessly. Whether it was through art, music, travel, or any other avenue, I hope you have dedicated yourself to the things that bring you joy and fulfillment. Life is too short to spend it doing anything less than what sets your soul on fire.
As I write this, I cannot help but wonder what dreams you have fulfilled and what adventures you have embarked upon. Have you traveled to far-off lands, experienced different cultures, and soaked in the beauty of this world? I hope you have never stopped exploring, never stopped seeking out new experiences and opportunities for growth.
Most importantly, I hope you have lived a life of purpose and meaning. Whether through your career, your relationships, or your contributions to the world, I hope you have made a positive impact in the lives of others. There is no greater legacy than knowing you have made a difference, no matter how small.
And finally, I want to thank you. Thank you for persevering through the trials and tribulations of life. Thank you for your resilience, your strength, and your unwavering spirit. You are a beacon of hope and inspiration to me, and I can only imagine the incredible person you have become over the past century. I hope your husband, children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great grandchildren are proud of you ❤️
With all my love and admiration,
IFEDOLAPO OGUNNIYI
Ifedolapo Ogunniyi 