In the quietude of our solitude Lies solace in numbers Our multitude Our family The seed whose roots reach Beneath the seas Like an eternal mahogany tree The five digits of a hand Knowing neither friend nor foe Peace comes when flurried breeze In a storm Poking our love Meets … Continue reading The Pipers Monument
“How long have you used these products for?” Adaora asked after Mina finished her story. “Tayo’s friend got them to me, at work, a little over four weeks ago and I started using them immediately,” Mina said. “We saw each other three weeks ago and you never said a word.” “I couldn’t, Ada. I knew … Continue reading A Cord Of Three… In The Eye Of The Beholder 3
With shaky hands, Wandering thoughts I try to hold my pen Struggling to scribble this piece With a view to please pen maestros Afraid of critics Whose words are as painful As the sting of the bee I hide So as not to displease the masters Living like a slave Deprived of freedom … Continue reading Pen Masters
Read Edible Bones, and have a smooth ride, like a professional chauffeur cruising you around town in a limousine. Only that Kaitochuckwu has taken us on a turbulent wander across America, Unoma Azuah’s delivery is exquisite, done in simple language, and a free-flowing narrative that is, for me, reminiscent of the moment with Eddie Iroh’s … Continue reading Unedible Bones: A Review of Unoma N. Azuah’s Edible Bones by Kurannen Baaki
A couple of months ago, we called for applications to paid positions with NS Publishing Ltd. We thank all those who applied and hope they remain full and active members. We got loads of interest for the positions, and after 2 months and lots of email exchanges, we have settled on the following new members in … Continue reading Introducing the New Naijastories Team
You hear cases of people killing themselves, countries annihilating countries, years and years of this family and that family feuding, that person not talking to this person and the likes of it. It turns out sometimes (when you finally trace the origin of dissent) that it was just a simple case of - He didn’t understand, she didn’t understand, … Continue reading Danfo Semantics - “The Cause and The Curse”
Seated few meters away from the sea shore under an orange tree - a blossoming orange tree. A beautiful scenery, surrounded by very green grasses and jasmine flowers - air filled with jasmine’s scent. Melodic sounds to his ears; the canary birds hovering over the tree, chirping lyrical sounds & the sound of water lapping … Continue reading Under a Certain Tree
The hooting of the owl from father’s thorn tree woke me up. It was eerie, foreboding, almost esoteric. It tugged at my heart strings, jar at my sides and unsettled nerves. I lay on my bamboo bed, panting. I have heard the hooting of owls before. Father said it brings an ominous message from the … Continue reading When The Owl Hoots
We take a lot of things for granted. We even whine about these things. I remember someone telling me once that he can’t stand his neighbour. Too noisy, he said. I had smiled and said, ‘Want to trade places with me? I won’t mind the noise so much. ‘ That fixed him. As a … Continue reading On Reading Lips And Different Faces - Hysteria 2
The touch-me- not plant, mimosa pudica, derives its name from a Latin word that means shy or shrinking. It closes at any touch, whether man or insect. I remember the first time I discovered the plant- way before I learnt about it in biology class, I was fascinated by it. In biology,i learnt that it … Continue reading Touch me not!
Hello to those who have read Aunty T’s other 2 stories, this is the first in the series with the ‘story’ that got Aunty T in trouble. I hope you enjoy. Thanks The scary story - 1 The children gathered around me, their excited little faces looking up Then they asked ‘Aunty T, would you … Continue reading Aunty T’s Stories - The Scary Story
Iffy He sits with donkeys Talks excitedly with the flowers Pokes and teases the fauna But grew quiet when James approaches And fearful when Janet sits close The Hibiscus demands nothing from him The mule looks at him with daft soulful eyes It does not task his intellect But Peter’s sober tirade calls his IQ … Continue reading Iffy
With lips shredded like a masquerade’s dress And faces masked in petroleum jelly, blinding their dryness Harm is at hand With skin … Continue reading Harm-at-hand
The desert-faring easterly Swept the invading Arabian horde Into Nubian climes And for the price of jasmine and spice A harem was exchanged Indigenous gods were ousted Traded for the deity Of a foreign land Centuries after A people conquered and subdued Find affinity with And pledge loyalty more To the cause of the descendants … Continue reading Inception
Some say the world is sphere And hard like coconut. Others took time to compare The world to fragile things. But believe it or not The truth was later born When a brave and skinny guy With the name Mungo Park Began the journey. Aided with his wrist-band compass, And a few slaves to aid … Continue reading MUNGO PARK and the AFRICAN PRINCESS