Musings: Articles of Gold

Tough in fire

Dextrous in water

And enduring on burning coals

Of course, they are golden fish

Warm in winter

Blooming in spring

And green in fall

Of course, they are river trees


Bright in darkness

Glowing at night

And sitting on every lampstand

Of course, they are shining stars


Patient in adversity

Waiting in hope

And speaking in peace

Of course, they are faithful friends


Clean in muddy water

Dancing to a distant tune

And rested in nature's flood

Of course, they are fiery ducks


Lowly in mind

Leaning on superior thoughts

And upright on ancient shoulders

Of course, they are luminaries


Bought in royalty

Training in life's school

And crowned in party throne

Of course, they are separated


Pitched in tent

Shunning slavery gates

And staying with lofty plants

Of course, they are brilliant


Silent in news

Producing pillars of thought

And kneeling in crying bay

Of course, they are secure


Narrow in way

Walking the lonely desert

And bearing necessary sacks

Of course, they are pilgrims


Servant in mountain

Climbing the ancient steps

And shedding old feathers

Of course, they are eagles


Hidden in clefts

Keeping the flock

And intimidated by nothing

Of course, they are lions

...

Photo credit: Oluyomi Ola-David

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Adverse Import: Cotonou Pineapple Vs Nigerian Pineapple

Image
I like the tropical fruit called pineapple and it serves as a sweet base for some of my homemade fruit juices. I have observed in recent times as I shop in local markets and around town for pineapple that there are two varieties –  slim-shaped pineapples and robust pineapples. The slimmer pineapples are usually the majority available with general purpose or specialized fruit vendors and can be bought at low prices (between NGN40 – NGN80 a piece depending on size). On the other hand, the robust variety are sold at relatively higher prices (between NGN150 – NGN250 a piece).  Of course I usually purchase the cheaper variety because it is readily available in larger quantities than the robust type. Recently, while shopping for fruits at a nearby cluster of sellers, I had bought the robust type (because the slim type was not available) and discovered a difference in colour, taste and texture. On a fact finding mission (during another market visit) while bargaining for a set of
Read more

A New Dawn: SDGs, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development

Image
Beginning today Friday 25 th through Sunday 27 th September 2015, Heads of State and Government and High representatives will meet at the 70 th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York to ratify the blue print of the post-2015 Development Agenda – Sustainable Development Goals. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development focuses on transforming the world with a focus on 5 Ps – People, Planet, Prosperity, Peace and Partnership. The blueprint is indeed a product of conscientious consultations involving various stakeholders deliberating and debating various thematic and sub-thematic issues. The Task Force improved on the consultative processes that birthed the MDGs. Consequently, the SDGs are a product of wider and more inclusive consultations on elements essential to creating the World We Want by 2030. Also, in many ways the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development seeks to build on the Millennium Development Goals and complete what it could no
Read more

Opinion Survey on Nigeria’s 2015 Presidential Elections: Preliminary Results

Image
Many thanks to everyone who has participated in the opinion survey on Nigeria’s 2015 presidential elections powered by Research Policy Shop . You are deeply appreciated. Respondents are male and female Nigerians, of different age groups, religious affiliation, with states of origin spread across the six geopolitical zones. This post is devoted to sharing preliminary results from the Survey. For the most part, respondents (54%) base their prospective voting behaviour on their personal evaluation of the candidate’s past/prospective performance. Another 45% of respondents base their prospective voting behaviour on ‘desirable personal characteristics’ of the choice candidate. A larger percentage of the respondents so far originate from South-West Nigeria. Most of the respondents (72%) noted they are likely to vote for the APC candidate. Irrespective of their personal voting intentions, 69% of the respondents think the APC candidate will likely win the P
Read more

The Difference is Clear: Nigerian Police Barracks Versus Military/Naval/Air Force Barracks

Image
It is not only of 7Up’s taste that we can say   ‘the difference is clear’ , we can also say same of the Nigerian police barracks in contrast with military/naval/air force (MNA) barracks.  Sometimes, irrespective of their location, the physical state of police residential buildings and adjoining environment is deplorable, with pockets of disorganized vendors and poor waste management systems.  On the better hand, MNA residential areas have relatively cleaner environments, better maintained buildings and organized trading areas. As a development economist, I am bothered that this ‘physical’ differential may be a signal to more serious social welfare issues. Having keenly observed this disturbing real world phenomenon over a few years, there are some intriguing questions which I hope research and policy can address in the days to come: What is the extent of income and welfare differentials among different categories of the Nigerian armed forces? What accounts for the di
Read more