Ifedolapo Ogunniyi

You grip tightly onto my imperfection,
Claiming I am inadequate, not up to par,
Every word I utter, even a mere cough,
You dissect me like a puzzle, tearing me apart.

I strive to retreat, to disengage,
Whenever you draw near, I shrink away,
Your presence brings only dismay,
Like a blade poised to sever beneath my jaw.

The raw hatred you harbor for me,
I cannot fathom where I have erred,
I have fought relentlessly to be strong,
Yet I cannot evade your razor-sharp claws.

I glimpsed your son,
And loved him with my entire being,
But meeting you, your words cut deep,
You found fault in everything.

How can I appease you, dear in-law?
The volumes of your rules,
I struggle to keep pace, they are now edicts,
It is daunting to continually navigate your legalistic labyrinth.

You are transforming into a monster-in-law,
But you do not possess the final say in our union,
Cease to subject my love to a constant balancing act,
It is unkind, be kind, renounce your authoritarian ways.

Your demeanor taints our marriage,
No longer confine our emotions in a cage,
Your insults are becoming outrageous,
Dear in-law, we value your support thus far.

Please, leave this love unfettered,
Cease to be the arbitrator of our marriage,
We cannot conform to your ideal mold,
We are unique, allow us to forge this home in our own language.

We extend our gratitude in advance,
Yearning deeply for your loving acceptance,
If you consent to cease this interference,
And set aside your grievances.

© Ifedolapo Ogunniyi

A tour to the land of dreams, where legends are born,
Stood a young lad, with hopes so worn.
A nobody, he was, just a face in the crowd,
But destiny whispered, and he heard it loud.

With determination as his guiding light,
He embarked on a journey, through day and night.
The road was rugged, obstacles in his way,
But he held on tight, his spirit would not sway.

Through the darkness he stumbled, with tears in his eyes,
But he rose above, reaching for the skies.
Each setback he faced, he turned into fuel,
To ignite his fire, his passion so cruel.

From a nobody, he became a hero,
With courage and strength that set him aglow.
He fought battles fierce, against all odds,
Inspiring others, breaking through the facade.

But heroes come and go, their tales can fade,
Yet he yearned for more, a legacy to be made.
He wouldn’t settle, he craved something more,
To be a legend, forever engraved in lore.

With diligence and resilience as his loyal guides,
He conquered mountains, and crossed the tides.
He faced the storms, with unwavering might,
And turned his darkest hours into beacons of light.

Through trials and tribulations, he stood tall,
For in his heart, he heard destiny’s call.
A legend he became, with stories to tell,
His name forever etched, his spirit, a spell.

Now he stands as a beacon, a symbol of might,
A legend who shines through the darkest night.
His tale inspires, from generation to generation,
A testament to the power of determination.

Remember my tale today, the making of a legend,
A tale of a lad who rose from the forgotten.
With diligence and resilience, he carved his own way,
A legend who is here to stay, forever and a day.

With determination, he vowed on this day,
To surpass his limits, go the extra way.
For others and himself, he will reach higher,
Pushing boundaries, fueling his inner fire.

© Ifedolapo Ogunniyi


Photo credit: iStock

It has been weeks of distance and longing,
For these two hearts beating as one,
Their love is so strong,
That through the wires it had begun.

Through the tangled web of cables,
A connection was about to ignite,
Two souls bound by fate’s invisible thread,
Yearning to converse through the night.

One fateful evening, as the moon hung high,
The telephone rang with eager anticipation,
A lover’s voice filled the quiet room,
Bringing forth sweet jubilation.

With trembling hands, he lifted the receiver,
His heart racing, nerves aflame,
He heard her breathless voice say, “Hello,”
And his soul soared, never to be the same.

The conversation flowed like a gentle river,
Carrying whispers of love and desire,
Their words painted pictures in their minds,
As their souls danced upon love’s sacred fire.

In each other’s voices, they found solace,
A melody that resonated deep within,
Distance dissolved, time stood still,
As their connection transcended worldly din.

They spoke of dreams and shared aspirations,
Of hopes, fears, and secrets untold,
With every syllable, their love grew stronger,
And their hearts, like the night, became bold.

Through laughter, tears, and whispered sighs,
Their voices intertwined like a heartfelt song,
Filling each other’s lonely voids,
Mending the fragments that had been wronged.

Hours passed like mere fleeting moments,
But the echoes of their love remained,
As the conversation drew to its end,
A bittersweet goodbye, hearts pained.

Yet, they held onto that precious memory,
The harmony of their souls’ symphony,
For in that telephone conversation,
They found a love that would forever be.

Let this be a testament,
To the power of love’s sweet revelation,
For in the simplest of conversations,
Two hearts can find their salvation.

© Ifedolapo Ogunniyi

Photo credit: iStock