Ijedimma Bernard Oparah

Peachtree City, Georgia

Ijedimma, born in Nigeria, has been writing poetry since his arrival in the United States in 1973. He practices school psychology in Georgia where he resides with his wife and four children. Ijedimma is a distinguished member of The International Society of Poets, and his poetry has been published by The National Library of Poetry and the Famous Poets Society. He has also published a collection of poetry entitled "Wings of Love," and is working on his second book. Ijedimma says, "Writing poetry is my chance to reflect on the human predicament and its hopefulness".

What Kind Of Vessel?

Now that the Lord of the earth has found me
And visited me with a joy that I find complete
I am faced yet with another valley
As I ponder, what kind of vessel lingers with me

Down the history lane, human decadence is told
How folks lost hold of their new found states;
How the beautiful in the start, turned grotesque at last
I start to wonder, what kind of vessel lingers with me

I want to anchor my vessel in the rays of the sun
Far above the earth, as long as I draw a breath
Where my vessel shall remain preserved, and renewed;
The kind that shall stay untainted by the fall of man

Take away my valley, O Lord of the earth
Let the vessel that now lingers serve me with faith
As the slumbering lion within me boldly awakens
To its mission of ascent to the luminous heights

My Intimate Foe?

What is this, that overcomes me
And now upsets my tie with the unknown?

What is this, that suddenly robs my soul
Of its peaceful reign
And yet, without shame
Insists on being my ally?

What ill habits have I acquired from old choices
That I must now confront
If only to suit
My fledgling company with the present?

What varied web has my life woven
Displaying in faith all that I have been!
What spaciousness is inherent
In this peace that I crave always!

Hurray! to the dark shadows my past abode
Does cast upon my waking hours
To hold me aware of blessings
My upwards journeys have brought.

Is there a foe, however intimate
Or a changed face that now sees a friend?

I Am Here Now!

I rushed through life
To finish my task
And when I arrived
At the front of the line
I met no one
Who cared to see
For all were busy
Embracing the present.