Ifedolapo Ogunniyi

All around, I carry with me, an invisible tail
An African girl, silenced and frail.
Forced into quiet by abuse’s cruel hand,
A daughter unwanted in a patriarchal land.

In my veins, the echoes of discrimination flow,
The only girl, unwanted, they let it show.
A father’s desire, a son to behold,
In the silence they imposed, my song as of old.

Deprived of education, denied a chance to soar,
Unheard, as dreams hit the floor.
A clandestine journey through life’s bitter strife,
A girl condemned to an invisible life.

Behind closed doors, a world unseen,
Where hopes and aspirations were deemed unclean.
Relatives’ whispers, like venomous snakes,
Biting my spirit, leaving only heartaches.

In the quietude, I found strength to endure,
A resilient spirit, though obscured, mature.
Yet, the world remained oblivious to my pain,
An unseen existence, a relentless chain.

Through the years, I yearned to break free,
From the shackles of silence, to be who I could be.
A silent rebellion in my weary heart,
A quiet resolve to reclaim my part.

A visit to the mute African girl, invisible, unheard,
A cry of resilience in a silenced world.
May her voice echo with a blast
A testament to strength, breaking free at last.

© Ifedolapo Ogunniyi
2024

Yes, in stormy days with clouds so black,
Through every trial, I have got your back.
In the rain, we will stand together,
Facing life’s storms, no matter the weather.

I will be your shelter in the coldest night,
My love, your warmth, burning bright.
Through harmattan’s chill and icy embrace,
l will hold you close, our love to retrace.

In the scorching heat of the sun’s harsh gaze,
I will be your shield, shading us from its blaze.
With hands entwined, we will face each day,
In the sunshine, come what may.

Prayers to God, together we will send,
With you, my love, my eternal friend.
For in unity, our prayers take flight,
Answered swiftly, in the purest light.

My love, fear not, in joy or strife,
Through the journey of this precious life.
With unwavering love, a steadfast track,
Forever and always, I have got your back.

© Ifedolapo Ogunniyi
2024

(Strength Reborn)

In the tempest’s dance, find strength untold,
Let the storm rage on, bold and bold.
Within the chaos, courage we find,
A resilient spirit, fierce and kind.

Thunder roars, the orchestra of might,
Yet in the heart, a serene light.
Embrace the gales, stand tall and free,
For in adversity, we discover the sea.

Waves crashing, relentless and strong,
Let the storm rage on, a triumphant song.
Through darkest nights and turbulent seas,
We navigate storms with unwavering ease.

In lightning’s flash, a path unveiled,
Courageous hearts, never to be curtailed.
Face the tempest, eyes fixed on the dawn,
For in every storm, a strength reborn

© Ifedolapo Ogunniyi
2024

They echoed, my silent tears,
A sad story of love drowned in fears.
His narcissistic grasp, a cruel embrace,
I lingered, hoping for a kinder trace.

Enduring the storms of his callous ways,
I sought to mend his heart’s disarray.
A dance with demons, a futile chore,
Yet, I yearned for the man I loved before.

I painted dreams on a billboard of despair,
Whispered solace into the tumultuous air.
But his apologies echoed like hollow lies,
As I glimpsed the truth in tear-stained skies.

I gathered strength, a warrior reborn,
In the aftermath, a tattered love was shorn.
He pleads for forgiveness, lost in regret,
Yet, my heart has sailed, a course firmly set.

His sorry now, a distant, feeble plea,
As I welcome the horizon, fierce and free.
In the wake of healing, I find my story,
For his remorse arrives, but it is too late to say sorry

© Ifedolapo Ogunniyi
2024

In the maze of life, where paths entwine,
A quest for meaning, elusive design.
Vanity’s allure, a tempting call,
In the endless race, we risk a fall.

Belonging sought in the crowded space,
Competing endlessly, a futile chase.
Yet we run, in pursuit of it all,
Searching everywhere, finding naught in life’s sprawl.

Through twists and turns, the journey unfolds,
Lost in the echoes of stories untold.
A relentless quest, a never-ending ride,
Yet the more we seek, the more we hide.

In the cacaphony s llof ambition’s glare,
Reflections of emptiness, silent despair.
A timeless pursuit, a quest in vain,
For what we seek, we may never gain.

So in the maze, let introspection be,
Find solace within, set your spirit free.
For in the stillness, the truth is found,
In letting go, in the silent sound.

© Ifedolapo Ogunniyi
2024