WHEN I SPOKE TO THE RIVERSIDE

When I spoke to the riverside

I told him my fears

If the river was an ocean,

I would have shed some tears

Insecurities running through my head 

Like a car changing all its gears

Dangerous to be concerned, my Lord said

What men think of you, I heard

But I couldn't help but think

What they said about me

These were people who mattered—

This was someone who mattered

If I've fallen on my face like a buffoon

And my intentions been miscontrued

But when I spoke to the riverside

I told him my fears

Don't really be concerned, he said, my dear

What people think of you is not the truth

Maybe they matter, and you're just a youth

But you be yourself, you do your thing

They might come around and see your deal

And respect you for all you do

When I spoke to the riverman, 

He told me, my fears

Do not really matter, my dear

And I've known before

Because the Word told me

And in a new light I came to see

That good things we know, we should do

That we may become the light we seek

I've known these a long time ago

Looking deep into the face of the River

He spoke to me a long time ago

But cold with my fears, I did shiver

But when I spoke to the riverside

He told me — my fears 

Don't really matter, my friend...

Just go out there and do your thing

Close your eyes and believe, don't blink

Into your heart, let it sink

What people think about you, don't think

And you'll see yourself achieving wonders

Your light going out to all and yonder

Believe in yourself and ponder

God's gift to you, abundant

And His strength of will in accordance

 For all you do, my brother

Your holes of doubt, do squander

And believe in God, my sister..

With Omidina Ismail Adeyemi