LOLU ANDRE

Copyright © 2019 by Aspire digitals All rights reserved

CHRONICLES OF AN

OPTIMIST

No part of this publication may be reproduced,

stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or

by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying,

recording, scanning, or otherwise, except through the

consent of the author.

DEDICATION

You stood out in a cluster of stars.

Shining brightly before our eyes.

And as days went by, you glowed, lightening

our hearts.

The simplest things are often the most important.

Death took you out, the lamp went dim,

Or so they thought.

Even in death,

You've gathered more radiance.

The script you wrote on the pages of our

hearts are enthralling and evergreen.

Your essence has transcended time.

We will continue to tell your beautiful story.

A story of love. A tale of trust,

A life of happiness.

Your smile was always there to cheer us up.

A life cut so short, meant so much.

In little time,

You threaded the path of growth

And conquered it with sheer brilliance.

Never to be forgotten.

Forever BARNAS

Ebute-Iwa Oluwafemi

(2001 - 2019)

APPRECIATION

In the course of compiling this anthology, so many individuals have been instrumental to the success of the project. I want to use this medium to appreciate everyone who has been a part of the journey in every way possible. You are all MVPs.

To Oyetomi Adesola, who kept me on my toes at different times to ensure my series of little poems become an Anthology, thank you. Chronicles of an Optimist won't have happened without you.

To Alade Funmilayo (Amada), Thank you for continually checking up on the project. Your valuable input cannot be underestimated. You are a rare gem.

To Olaoluwa Olaleye, the creative director of Allizzwell concept. You have been an excellent friend. You came through with the cover projections. I can't thank you enough. God bless you

To everyone at Aspire digitals, thank you for the formatting and branding idea. Chronicles of an Optimist was a teamwork effort, and you delivered an excellent job.

To Adeya Adewumi (Wumi L.A), thank you for being an excellent confidant. I love you so much.

To Iyaomolere Mayokun, S.T Dairo, Nwakaego Nzeteh, Manuwa Praise and Odolo Ayomiposi, your contributions towards this project was immense. Thank you for all that you did.

To Gift Ukay, thank you for taking the time to go through the drafts and taking on the task to do the bulk of the editing. No amount of words will be enough to thank you.

The list is endless. Thank you all for sticking around and making the journey worthwhile. I hope we can thrive thru life together.

Thrive!

BLURB

Will you learn to glow or wait till the sun shines before you do?

The path of everyman man is scripted towards greatness with a bid to transcend time and live on after death.

Armored with the will to move on from defeat, learning to work, loving to try and touching the sky. Man is the most spectacular of all creations and must learn to remain so.

Will you be an inspiration to your race or be lost in life's race?

Themes

#Life #Musings #Optimism #Motivation #Inspiration #Hope #Love #Home #Work #Faith #Triumph #Courage #Death

CONTENTS

INTRO...

A NOTE FOR YOU...1

MAYBE...2

EMERGE...3

MANIFEST...4

LEND A HAND...5

MOVE ON...6

MAKE HAY...7

LEAVE THE COAST...8

TAKE A LEAP...9

HIGHER WE MUST GO...10

A TALE OF THE KING...11

HOME...12

THE NIGHT...13

EXTRAS...14

All poems are composed and compiled by the author.

All poems in the “extra” session are referenced to their authors accordingly.

INTRO

“The pains of today are the lessons for tomorrow”

I've seen great days,

I've witnessed delays.

I've seen bright rays,

I've had my fortunes wane.

I've stepped on land mines.

I've achieved landmarks,

I've made hits,

I've been full of shit.

I've leapt with feats.

I've experienced defeats,

I've had much to eat,

I've crawled on my knees.

I've had terrible scars,

I've made outstanding marks.

I've been below rank,

I've been above the pack.

In the midst of the sea,

I am calm and still.

Better days are all I see,

I am an optimist.

A NOTE FOR YOU

“Honey cannot exist without the bees.

Bees sting, honey doesn’t”

Good vibes,

Great smile,

Good heart.

Harsh nights,

Cruel days,

Won't stand.

Keep at it,

Laugh it out,

Pray out loud.

Work it out,

Brace yourself,

God is here.

Take a leap,

Play the beat,

Make a hit.

It will come,

It will rain,

We will reign.

MAYBE

“A better today is the gateway

to an excellent tomorrow”

Maybe it'll rain,

I'd better plant my grains.

Maybe it'll will yield,

I'd better sow my seed.

Maybe it'll rise,

I'd better leap and fly.

Maybe it'll be fine,

I'd better start to smile.

Maybe it'll come,

I'd better take a step.

Maybe I'll be king,

I'd better learn to rock.

Maybe it'll shine,

I'd better start to glow.

Maybe it'll be good,

I'd better know the rules.

Maybe it'll be fun,

I'd better be my muse.

One day I'll die,

I'd better live my life.

EMERGE

“The man in the crowd is rarely remembered,

the man at the front is hardly forgotten”

Emerge from the dark,

Don't be the man at the back.

Brace yourself and impart.

Life is short, we'll soon depart.

If the sun lays behind a hill,

The other side is left in the dark.

Learn to rise above,

A gold at the heart of the sea,

Is more like a stone on the street,

Until it is found and used.

There is so much to do,

Come out of the blues,

Save men from their doom,

Let your flower bloom.

MANIFEST

“Lurking in the dark is a light waiting for yours to shine”

Stand tall,

Let them see you walk.

By your actions,

Others will run.

Stand up,

Let them see you rise.

By your actions,

Others will shine.

Get it,

Let them see you win.

By your actions,

Others will grind.

Break through,

Let them see you rule.

By your actions,

Others will bloom.

LEND A HAND

“Term no help as small, see no problem as big”

Lend a hand,

Be a guide.

Don't get mad

At the tide

You can't ride.

Catch no fright,

Take the flight.

Ride with might

To the sky.

Fear no foe,

Walk with hope.

On this road

There is gold.

Learn to smile

When there's strife.

Learn to thrive,

Be a guide.

MOVE ON

“Your pains will only count when you have triumphed.

No one listens to a loser”

Move on,

This is not the end of you.

Dig deep,

Don't let them kill your muse.

Stay strong,

Get over your wounds.

Stand Up,

Cowardice is being mute.

Speak Up,

Set yourself loose.

Persist,

Don't stop till the flower blooms.

Make Time,

Plant the seed and groom.

Stay Woke,

Be Vigilant, else, you're doomed.

Love life,

Cherish the flow, stay cool.

Live Right,

Help your neighbor and be good.

MAKE HAY

“A victor’s song is a song of strength, courage, insight and work”

Make hay while the sun shine,

Get out of the snare.

Get your hands to the ground,

Turn the tide around.

Strive to be the best,

Become a sure bet

.

Leap and swing,

Grow your wings.

Take your sword and fight,

Get rid of the fright.

Broaden your horizon,

Accomplish the mission.

Defeat is not the end,

Make your comeback trend.

Continue the adventure,

You were born a victor.

TAKE A LEAP

“In the end, there are always two narratives;

Fortune favouring courage, regrets following excuses”

Take a leap,

Just be free.

Grow like the tree

With roots in the sea.

Make a wish,

extend your reach,

Crush those dreams,

Success is real.

Be the King

You'll love to see.

Make your ridge,

Build the bridge.

Write your deeds.

Make life real.

LEAVE THE COAST

“The stage has already been set, it is left to you to step up”

Leave the coast,

Thrust into the deep,

The riches are yours to take.

Clear the clouds,

Touch the sky,

Fly and fuel your rage.

Weed the shrubs,

Plant your seeds,

The world will come for your grape.

Learn to work,

Love to try,

The drive will lighten your day.

Read the word,

Learn to lean,

Wisdom will strengthen your faith.

Mind your job,

Do your work,

Focus will steer them away.

Live your life,

Steer a cause,

Be an inspiration to your race.

HIGHER WE MUST GO

“Whatever you do, you can be better”

Higher we must go,

Never below.

Faster we must grow,

Never to stroll.

Mastery we must gain,

To harvest the grain.

Gently we must thread,

To avoid the raid.

Swifter we must run,

To avoid delay.

Focused we must be,

Never to derail.

Deeper we must roll,

Never to be shallow.

Caution we must take,

To avoid the arrows.

A TALE OF THE KING

“The battles of today are the legends of tomorrow”

The king is first a warrior,

That is where he gets his honour.

Life is thread from bottom to top,

Slowly, you'll build your way to the spot.

If one aspires to be king,

He must first learn to fight alongside his kin,

Cutting thru obstacles as pressures mount.

For only men who have seen you in adversity

Can truly trust your credibility.

Every King is a warrior,

Clothed by victories of many colours.

Learn to live the warrior's way,

That's how men become Kings.

HOME

“Home is wherever you find rest,

family is whoever your heart loves”

There is a place called home;

Where our spirit is free and can roam

knowing we are not alone.

There is a space called care;

Where hearts are tender,

Where acts are cherished.

There is a path called love;

Where roads are filled with petals,

And our hearts are nourished.

There is a bond called friendship;

Where we can let out all worries,

Where our heart can merry.

There is a culture called trust;

Where we can drop our burdens,

And can thrust blindly.

There is a system called unity;

Where we sing the same song.

Where we live the same theme.

There is a place called home;

A place where we all rise

To take life's ride.

THE NIGHT

“We won’t be here forever, but history will”

The night is here, we

have to rest, we

Strife to live, we

Wither like leaves, we

Loved and learnt, we

Hurt and cried, we

Worked and toiled, we

Sold our souls, we

Danced in the rain, we

Picked the pace, we

Lived our lives, we

Stay alive, we

Die at last

EXTRAS OTHER POEMS

A FRANCISCAN BLESSING

“The world can only get better when we do better”

May God bless you with anger

At injustice, oppression,

And exploitation of people,

So that you may work for

Justice, freedom, and peace

May God bless you with tears

To shed for those who suffer pain,

Rejection, hunger, and war,

So that you may reach out your hand

To comfort them and

To turn their pain to joy

And may God bless you

With enough foolishness

To believe that you can

Make a difference in the world,

So that you can do

What others claim cannot be done

To bring Justice and Kindness

To all our children and the poor.

Unknown

THE END

“The answer to depression is purpose not suicide”

Far, Fly

Where have all the flowers gone?

Run, Ruin

The stream is dry, I'll die of thirst

Hard, Haa

They laughed and scorn, my soul is tried

Whip Wimp

I looked at pain, I'm done with life

Dirt, Death

There's a place from here that'll sooth my pains

Dread, Hell

The place is death, its hands are cold

Vile, Haq

If only they see my pain, the hurt it caused

Life, lies

My heart is blocked with smile on my face

Dream, dim

I'm gone from here, suicide's my friend

Held, Help

I'll still be here, if all had helped

Fled, End

They never came, this is the end

Lolu Andre

LIFE

“In the end, only two things count; the life you live,

and the life you touched”

Life is real! Life is earnest!

And the grave is not its goal,

Dust thou art, to dust returnest,

Was not spoken of the soul.

Tell me not in mournful members,

Life is but an empty dream!

For the soul is dead that slumbers,

And things are not what they seem,

Not enjoyment and not sorrow,

Is our destined end or way.

But to act, that each tomorrow,

Finds us farther than today.

Our destination is a place,

Far greater than we know,

For some the journey's quicker,

For some the journey's slow

Ayomiposi Odolo

(Wondergrafix)

BREATHE ON

“As long as we have breath, there is more to do”

Life's turmoil; choking us up.

Weaklings - couldn't even give a mere hiccup.

Our backs to the ground,

Limp bodies sprawled on the sand.

One after the other, we crawled to the shore

To feel the sea waves and live some more.

Hopefully, we might have a reason to breathe on.

Friends or foes, all are gone.

Our hearts became shields to their bullets of

scorn.

All alone - we who were once in groups of eight.

Alas! The world is full of hate.

One by one, they left us to our grief,

Knowing our time left is nothing but brief.

Hopefully, this is our chance to hold on and

breathe on.

Gift Ukay