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ABOUT OLIVER O. MBAMARA
Oliver Mbamara is originally from Nigeria, West Africa. He is now based in New York, where he serves as an Administrative Law Judge with the State of New York. He is a published Poet and writer who has won several literary awards. He is a versatile writer whose works span the areas of poetry, drama, fiction, editorials and commentaries published in many magazines, journals, and websites.
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Oliver
Mbamara's poem - Because Of You I Rise" recently published in
Essence Magazine is available in his book of poem titled, LOVE
POEM AND QUOTES TO
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 Oliver
Mbamara's poem "Line or Two" is
recently published in Essence Magazine to
honor Poetry
Month. is available in his
book of poem titled, LOVE
POEM AND QUOTES NOW
Available
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MORE OF HIS POEMS BELOW
The Gratitude of Friendship
Many moments pass in life,
Some we joyfully remember
Others we choose to leave behind.
Grateful are we when our memories
Are blessed with blissful moments
Of love, peace, and affection.
Loved are we when in affection
Our hearts are gladly kindled,
Stirred by loving friendship
From those we come to meet,
Whose presence spark in us
That Light and Sound Divine
Reminding us once again
The true essence of who we are;
Beings of love and affection
Existing because of God’s love
Here on earth to learn and share
To renew and regain our identity;
Sparks of God!
Grateful Souls!
Loving beings!
Oliver O. Mbamara ©
POEMS OF FREEDOM ©All Rights Reserved
Haiti O Haiti
(Sole Masters of the Land)
Haiti, O Haiti
Your sons and daughters suffer the trail
Of a tragic tremor of seven magnitudes
Corpses and carcasses liter the street
Limbs and houses crushed and crumbled
Haiti, O Haiti
Your children cry and weep and wail
For many loved ones are hereby gone,
But in their eyes, I see resolve and hope
In their strides I see strength and courage
Haiti, O Haiti,
Your children suffer, yes they do, but
History knows your children are brave
Sole masters of their land and freedom,
For the ancestors and for country unity reigns
Haiti, O Haiti
Your children are tested once again
And your children shall by this unite,
The battle is ahead and shall be met
For all Haitians are by this hardened
Haiti, O Haiti
Your children shall stand and walk again
For this tragic tremor shall not win.
Over the shaken lands they shall march, for
Even in death there’s beauty and Haiti shall live again.
Oliver O. Mbamara ©
POEMS OF FREEDOM ©All Rights Reserved
Get any of Oliver’s books on poetry
I Cry Me a New Beginning
Another year has come and gone
So many lessons were there to learn
And some of them I may have missed,
And here another year comes anew.
Though
I may cry for some guiding hand
To lead me out of the hindering pit,
Indeed I know I must stretch my hand
Out of the pit if I must get some help
Exhausted and crushed I may be now
Defeated and beaten down to earth
But only I can pick me up
To start again to make new strides
And in this fleeting days of illusion
I must stand for myself to live
And though I may have failed before
I will try some more, again and again,
To learn to overcome the lower self
And passions of the mind in life
Of anger, lust and vanity,
Of attachment and even greed,
With those true virtues of the mind
Of patience, and right sense to choose
Of humility, and detachment too,
Of contentment, the state of being
Though the path be strewn with thorns
And may be slippery at best at times
My Inner Guidance I still will trust
As I cry me a new beginning,
The Light of God will shine my way
The Sound of God will lead my path
Through the valley and shadow ways
I shall emerge again a better I.
©Oliver O. Mbamara 2010
POEMS OF FREEDOM (All Rights Reserved)
Get any of Oliver’s books on poetry
YULETIDE
(A Season of Love and Celebration)
In the hearts of many, gladness is rich,
As many call on all to share with them
Their joy and tales of adventure,
Through the year so encountered.
In many places, friends and folks,
Meet for the year and hug with love,
Sharing sweet smiles of happiness,
And the gladness of a joyful season.
By the corner, kids play and dance,
Making friends of mixed generations,
Building grounds for future friendship,
In hopes of many more Yuletides.
In the air, the feel is near tangible,
As happiness reigns over sadness,
With cheers and charity all spreading,
Painful incidents are readily endured.
Joy is the feeling, the world over,
As Forgiveness gives in abundance.
And charity lives in generous hearts.
Salutations! Felicitations! It’s Christmas!
©Oliver O. Mbamara, 2003 (2009)
POEMS of FREEDOM
Session With The Godfather of
Soul
(The Michael Jackson Narrative) By
Oliver O. Mbamara
It is a tea session with the Godfather of Soul
I walk tenderly into the gigantic hall
Certainly a stranger to the environment
Unsure of what the session might well offer.
Tea sessions; I had many of those on earth
But this is a different world from earth
The venue is gigantic and so is the Host
The Godfather of Soul in all His majesty
Gently beckoning with a wave of hand
He utters no words but I hear him say
“Welcome Michael, please take your seat”
The communication is instant, Soul to Soul
Still like a stranger, I approach the seat
It has my name beautifully carved on it
But the Godfather is not looking
Just like others sitting at the table
Teacup in hand, attention on the screen,
With cheerful smiles across their faces
I begin to recognize them one by one,
Great artists and entertainers of ages past;
Shakespeare is here and so is Monet
Beethoven is here and so is Mozart
Sammy Davis is here and so is Elvis
The Beatles are here and so is Dandridge.
I can’t name them all for the table is long
But what is it that has their attention so?
I pull up my seat and turn to the screen
Something is going on down on earth
People of all ages, religion, race, and creed
Unite in a display of love and affection
In one corner, I see prisoners doing a dance
Wait…is it the Thriller...Thriller night?
Shows and awards are devoted to a King of Pop
Across the world, thousands unite in a memorial;
I can’t name all I see for the scenes are too many
Perplexed and confused, I turn to the Godfather
“Are these celebrations truly for me” I ask
“Oh yes Michael,” He says, “they love you dearly”
“But...but…they chided me when I was there.”
“Yes, Michael,” the Godfather says. “It’s only human,
Didn’t your sister Janet, sing it many years ago?”
“…You don’t know what you got till it’s gone…”
“Yes, talk about my sister, my mother, kids, how are they?”
Tears drip down my cheeks as I remember them
The Godfather waves His hand and the screen changes
I could see my loved ones looking strong for me
“They have to know I am well here,” I say
“They know Michael; they just need time to heal”
Just then Farrah Fawcett steps in so heartily
Smiling like an Angel, she takes her seat
“Don’t worry Michael, you will get used to it
I arrived just a few hours ahead of you, but see?
It’s actually healthy, happy, and beautiful here,”
She utters no words but I could read her clearly.
“Okay Michael, finish up for we have to proceed
There’s more work to be done.” The Godfather says.
“More work?” I ask wondering at the Godfather.
“Of course many of us here will like to learn to do this:"
The Godfather stands and tries a funny drag of His legs
“The Moonwalk?” I ask. Surprised to find myself laughing.
“Yes, the Moonwalk, and more” The Godfather replies.
“Some things you teach us and some things we teach you.
That is how it works here for we are all Co-workers”
The Godfather opens His hand to reveal a white glove
Excitedly, I grab it and scream, “oh, my glove!” and
In a moment, I am on my feet gliding to my moonwalk.
EPILOGUE
Overcoming my excitement, I approach the Godfather
“I have to let them know I see them and that I am fine.”
“Of course, you could be in their dreams ….”
“Godfather…can I just write them now?” I ask
“If you insist, Michael, by all means please write them”
Gladly, I take my seat and begin to write this narrative.
© Oliver O. Mbamara July 2009
POEMS OF FREEDOM
www.OliverMbamara.com
The Celebration
of HUman Nature
By Oliver O. Mbamara
(On the worldwide celebration of Michael Jackson’s memorial)
Like a cat on silent feet, it creeps upon us,
Even as the tug on our core still persists
Like another human event it shows it face,
And in compassion we console ourselves.
Without compulsion we celebrate en-masse
And all bickering divergences are put aside
With discrimination gone, we love express
Roused and rekindled, we again must live
Into our true identity we have a glimpse
Beings of love, compassion, and kindness
Particles of the same Mirror; Sparks Divine
HUman beings; creations in God’s image.
And though for others we celebrate,
We indeed for ourselves do celebrate.
© Oliver O. Mbamara; July 2009
POEMS OF FREEDOM
www.OliverMbamara.com
AND NOW THAT HE IS GONE:
Ode to the Life of Michael Jackson - An
Epitaph
By Oliver O. Mbamara
From his childhood years
He set upon his purpose
To bring the joy of melody
Through his soulful voice
And now that he is gone
How are the critics feeling?
Merciless in tone,
Careless and indifferent,
They chastised his manners
And drew no lines or limit
And now that he is gone
How are the critics feeling?
Though humiliated and tortured
By some critics and tabloids
He was determined to live
To do what he always loved
And now that he is gone
How are the critics feeling?
But they will not go away.
In his kindness they saw evil
In his human nature they saw wacko
In his travails they thrilled themselves
And now that he is gone
How are the critics feeling?
Yes, he had his frailties too
For he was no perfect one
He had his challenges too
For he was indeed human
And now that he is gone
How are the critics feeling?
He meant no one any harm
For he had a heart of love
With a hand gloved in white
He gave freely to all
And now that he is gone
How are the critics feeling?
And then his time was up
To be healed and consoled
And depart he did, a legend so
Truly now, he is missed in death
And now that he is gone
How are the critics feeling?
Oliver O. Mbamara © June 2009
POEMS OF FREEDOM
Birth of a New Era: The Return of USA
Apart from being historic as the first time a black
man is elected to the position, the election of Barack Obama as
America's 44th President ushers in a new era in American history.
This transition comes at a time when the American people and the
world in general seem to be in need of change, a
new direction, and the return of those ideals which make America
unique.
Birth of a New Era: The Return of
USA
In liberty, a nation carved its name,
God’s own country, the land of dream,
Tested among nations, it excelled in unity
And reigned supreme in great ideals;
And then began the fade and loss of clout
But Hope audaciously came to bear
Packaged with the elements of change
Rekindled by a child of many races
Supported beyond the shores of America
Journeyed through the depths of winter
And once again the ideals are within reach
Liberty, opportunity, unity, and survival;
America is born again, and the world is hopeful
Beyond years of antagonism, a new gear is shifted,
A new era is begun, And America returns.
Poems of Freedom
© Oliver Mbamara, November 4, 2008
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