Creation and Criticism

Stephen Oladayo Oladokun (b. 1989) is a writer, photographer and educator from Igbeti Oyo State in Nigeria. He obtained his BA (Ed) in English from Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria. He was awarded the most innovative staff for three times at Queenview Academy Minna, Niger State, Nigeria where he rose from classroom teacher to the Principal of the school. He is a member of Hilltop Creative Arts Foundation in Minna Niger State, Nigeria. He can be contacted through his email address: stephenoladayo45@gmail.com.

1. Escaped From Abyss

I thought I couldn't be but the worst

for all I had had been lost;

parents, friends were all gone

what miracle death had not done?

I grew wild like lips ready to kiss

on my tiny body even the sun hissed

I explored my environ like gun boom

that I might merry in my doom

my song, my shield and my own bowl

created deep wound within my soul

so I painted my walls with tears

as I held the future in terrible fear

but when I ate the lines of the holy book

my eyes then, cleared like the water of Ancient Brook

for in its heart I found His name to hail

and now, I am writing a better tale

2. My Perfect Genes

I sing of the daughters of my 'mother'

my 'sisters', great baobabs without bend,

your blood shall run in my veins till the end

for your dark hue is without bother.

within you, I've found a mind,

a brook that oozes limitless joy.

your tender love, I can't destroy.

at your glowing skin, I'm not blind.

daughters of my 'mother'!

you spread your heart to me like a mat

& together, we hew a perfect hat

that covers our land without pother.

my perfect mates, my best friends!

you hold a piece of me no one can imagine.

you are the perfect images of my gene!

within your souls, my soul is tend.

I will tell the world we're baked by the sun

Africa, we're your proud daughters &sons

3. Vow

It seems on me a spell you cast

with your outstanding beauty.

I am lured to only one task;

to tend you like flower is my duty.

my life I shall forever keep in your core.

like a man stumbled upon juice of bee

at the end of marathon by seashore,

so I walked into your heart without fee.

I am devoted to secure you without malice,

to water this seed of affection to grow

from the deafening brook of allies

and to fan this flame in me to glow.

what on earth shall I compare with you?

your love in my lips I shall forever preach

for your beauty causes mouth to boo

as I carry you on my head from beach to beach.

so I have one thing to boast

you are not a ghost to toast in coast.

4. Silence and Tears

Silence is a barbed wire

as sharp as double edged sword

fashioned for every wise war lord

strong enough to sink mountain in mire.

tears are not signs of pain;

they are flow from a broken jar

to nurture the beast in a sacred bar

to appease devil of his mighty bane

when silence unites with tears,

the demon in their midst becomes star,

glowing like a diamond in the house of Lar

and they would dwell in hell without fears.

5. Song of a Lover

No more delay

for my love for you is everyday

there is no cause for alarm

for i am on arm

so take my hand

i am leading you to the promised land

the reason for my joy is this

i can call you my bliss.

let every embargo give way

my queen is on her way

i have no business with the rest

‘cos in you i found rest

let your enemies terrify

even heaven and earth testify

that you are a god’s perfect duty

my epitome of beauty.