FRIENDSHIP

A planned visit, a random call,

A gentle text, the warmest hug

A friendly chat, the deepest thoughts

Falling in place, a gentle rug

Love at first sight, a croaking frog

An ugly king, a smitten queen

A fairy tale, a sinking ship

Hunting for bounty, a sailor's code

Like friendship, an undying scroll...

© el-iyanu

Friendship is truly a gift. Falling ill and having friends and colleagues rally round in the most genuine of ways is something truly special. Thank you dear ones. You also can't quantify the family.

WHEN PEOPLE DON'T WANT TO GROW

When people don't want to grow,

You have to let them go—

Love them with all your heart,

But let them go—

To leave them behind,

So your tracks they won't rewind.

You find them fear possibilities of greatness,

Making the same mistakes with same difference,

Extremely good at what they do,

But that's exactly all they do—

Year in and out, it's the same cycle,

You think of jets, they think of tricycles,

Want you to succeed, but from their own cycle;

But life goes on, brief as a haiku...

The sky is wide, you have to explore,

Not leave your future

In the hands of one you must implore!

Take charge, have faith, be strong,

For yes, you must rise to your destiny's call!

And you'd be surprised at the good things that befall.

Remain loyal but don't be a fool,

Trust in God will make you a stronger bull.

When people don't want to grow,

You have to let them go—

Love them with all your heart,

But let them go—

Leave them with prayers and show them the way,

To leave them behind,

So your tracks they won't rewind.

© el-iyanu

Glossary

Haiku

a Japanese poem of seventeen syllables, in three lines of five, seven, and five, traditionally evoking images of the natural world.

GAVE SO MUCH I BEGAN TO HATE

Gave too much, I began to hate

Sense of worth did it inflate

But all my love did it deflate

Gave too much, I began to hate

Had a lot on my plate

I began to feel distate

Feeling like I poured my love

All down the rabbit hole

O, myself, you have to put it all on hold

Gave too much, I began to hate

It's them on the line,

I'll rather put it all on hold

When I wasn't there, how did it all unfold?

You have to notice that I changed a little

Wisdom is profitable more than a little

I gave so much I began to hate

But I have to say, it wasn't all in vain

There was a lot I gained

But eventually 

You get tired of the same old stories

It's also love when you let people grow

I gave too much, I began to hate

The closer they are, the more it's hard to take

It used to be all so exciting,

A smile on my face—

But I became a little wiser,

Yet did I become more selfish?

But I gave so much, I began to hate

Things to think, had a lot on my plate

Can't keep doing the same things over again,

But it's all love,

Over and over again...

©el-iyanu

WE TESTED POSITIVE

 I.

Tested positive for having faith in God

When it wasn't easy and things were rough

Went under the waves

And came through the storms

Went through the fire

And grevious burns

But I—

Just tested positive for having faith in God,

And knowing that storms don't last.

II.

I tested positive for having doubts

So many times when I cried out loud

Tears in the pillow, asking why 

Why the pain, Lord haven't I tried?

Why are things so freaking hard?!

Are you mean because I've been bad?

Everytime I just feel sad

Like you mixed my bread with sand

But I—

Just tested positive for having faith in God,

And knowing that storms don't last.

III.

Things were silent in the storm

The world watched as I beat the walls

Locked in, no one to help me out

I'm screaming loud without a sound

Wasn't chained, but I was bound

To worrying for God to come through

I understood when the tides turned

He was there all along

But those days were long and dark

And I—

Just tested positive for having faith in God,

And knowing that storms don't last.

IV.

I heard from a friend who heard from a friend 

This kind of faith is highly contagious

Like a virus, it's going to spread

She breathes, her joy infectious

You're going to hear from her

Because she just—

Tested positive for having faith in God,

And knowing that storms don't last.

V.

I always had these negative thoughts in my head

And every night when I lay in bed

Why do I have to be the one wishing I was dead

'Cause nobody always cared

And life has always been so unfair

But I,

Just tested positive for having faith in God,

And knowing that storms don't last.

VI.

Many times when I felt sad, rejected and lonely,

Times when I felt I was failing and losing myself—

But He has been the only one there for me

Directed wonderful people to my side,

Times when I cried and had no one to lean on

He gave me reasons why I should hold on,

Hold on to life 

And gave me hope that sad phases in my life won't go on and on.

Cause I—

Just tested positive for having faith in God,

And knowing that storms don't last!

VII.

Always keeping my faith in Him from now on

And He'll always guide me, forevermore

Now here's my part after hearing from a friend

Another one He directed to me!

And we just—

Tested positive for having faith in God,

And knowing that storms don't last!

We just tested positive for having faith in God,

And knowing that storms don't last!

© August 2022

Title By

Jizzle Gee

Written By

Yusuff Rahma (The Fire Girl/Bella Fuego)

Tokede Opeyemi Iyanuoluwa (el-iyanu)