Get Your Premium Membership

Best Poems Written by Yakubu Bako Usman

Below are the all-time best Yakubu Bako Usman poems as chosen by PoetrySoup members

View ALL Yakubu Bako Usman Poems

Details | Yakubu Bako Usman Poem

Defining Moments

I have always wondered about the moments that are supposed to define our lives.
 
Is it that moment when we are just born?
The name that has been chosen for us?
The first words we utter?
Or even the first baby steps that we take?

When does that defining moment in our life begin?
Does it happen at age 10, 20, 30, 40 or 50?
Does it even have to do with the two legal ages of 18 and 21?
Or does each age bring about a new defining moment?

Are our live defined by the schools we are enrolled in?
Our performance in the class, is that considered as a factor?
Peer group fraternisation and orientation?
Or the university courses we choose?

Are our lives defined by the people we listen to when they speak?
The kind of programmes we watch on TV?
The kind of music we listen to?
Or even the type of books we read?

Do we even consider our career paths as our defining moments?
Or the decision on where we choose to reside?
Are our life partners considered as part of the process?
Or even our sexual orientation?

Does fate have a hand in our defining moments?
Or maybe we can call it destiny
Is belief an integral part of the system?
Or can we just sum everything to the luck of the draw?

How do we determine our defining moments in life?
When do we consider who helps us define our moments?
Or where our defining moment will be?
Or even when our defining moment will happen?

I am done asking questions.
As for me, I have only one thing to say.
My defining moments happen every minute
What about you?

Copyright © Yakubu Bako Usman | Year Posted 2010



Details | Yakubu Bako Usman Poem

The Spirit of Vengeance

Mine is a road that has no definite ends Mine is the truth that always bends Mine is that terrorising expectation that transcends Mine is the unspeakable news that every sign portends Mine is a sun that shall not shine bright Mine is a group of stars but yet no light Mine is the hurtful feelings that all shall incite Mine are the flames of chaos that shall ignite Mine is the sorrows, the horrors and the pain Mine is the pandemonium your tomorrows will not contain Mine is the evil from which I shall not abstain Mine is the iniquity that will be instigated with might and main Mine is all the damage that cannot be undone Mine is the intensity that shall exceed that of a scorching sun Mine is the moment that shall and WILL be the only one Mine is the one left after all is said and done Mine shall extend from the setting of the day through the break of dawn Mine is the disquieting atmosphere that your violence shall spawn Mine is your innocence that the fury of my conflict shall descend upon Mine will be done over and over and over again until I am gone

Copyright © Yakubu Bako Usman | Year Posted 2011

Details | Yakubu Bako Usman Poem

Memory

So comes the day when I become a memory
When the steps I took on this earth shall seem to have never existed
The days when reference with my name is added with ‘was’
Moments when the very being of me is but a mere thought
And my physical presence fades like old paint on a wall


I know the journey from the cradle to the grave is but a heartbeat away
As I take that journey regardless of choice, reason or decision
Knowing that each steps brings me closer to becoming a moment in history
For I may be gone, but I shall not be forgotten
As the memory of me shall become ‘here today, gone tomorrow’

Copyright © Yakubu Bako Usman | Year Posted 2010

Details | Yakubu Bako Usman Poem

Rhyme Crime

The morning dew is a time to start anew.
The afternoon breeze is a time to sneeze.
The evening sun is a time for fun.
And the midnight stars is the time for cars.

This is how I wish to dispense, 
My poem that absolutely makes no sense.
I’m just filling my time,
With useless words that just rhyme.
Like saying “O You People”,
You all belong on a steeple.
And adding in the word touch,
Because what I have to say isn’t much.

So, don’t be angry and don’t be mad,
For it will make me very, very sad.
All I wanted was to bring a little joy,
But not like that of Helen of Troy.
It would not hurt if you tried the same,
Just consider it an effort wasting game.
I couldn’t think of a line for the end,
So here goes… Herdsmen, Boko Haram, IPOB, MEND.

Copyright © Yakubu Bako Usman | Year Posted 2018

Details | Yakubu Bako Usman Poem

Little Children

Blessed they are on this cursed earth.
Filling our homes with radiant light
We call them our bundles of joy.
Yet we do not know how deep those words go.

Blessed they are on this cursed earth
So timid and small, yet a lot of fun.
The beauty of it, they love with all their hearts.
They could put a smile on the meanest of men.

Blessed they are on this cursed earth.
Their tiny voices always a pleasure to hear.
Without them the world will not be fit to live in.
For this I must say Praise be to God for giving them to us.

Copyright © Yakubu Bako Usman | Year Posted 2006



Details | Yakubu Bako Usman Poem

Struggle

I WILL NOT GO SILENTLY INTO THE NIGHT,
I SHALL NOT FALL WITHOUT A FIGHT.
I SHALL EXCEL BETWEEN THE CHAOS AND STRIFE,
I WILL STRUGGLE TILL THE LAST DAY OF MY LIFE.
I SHALL WAGE A WAR NOT WITH GUNS OR SWORDS,
BUT WITH THE EFFECTIVE POWER OF MY WORDS.
I SHALL NOT BE THE ONE TO SIT DOWN AND WAIT,
I SHALL BE THE ONE TO DECIDE MY OWN FATE.
I SHALL DEFEAT MY ENEMY FROM WHERE I STAND,
WITH NO MORE THAN MY BARE HAND.
THE SKY IS NOT THE LIMIT, BUT FROM WHERE I START,
THIS I KNOW FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART.
NO MATTER HOW GRIM OR HOPELESS THE FUTURE MAY SEEM,
THE END SHALL DEFINITELY JUSTIFY THE MEANS.

Copyright © Yakubu Bako Usman | Year Posted 2006

Details | Yakubu Bako Usman Poem

The Indescribable Gratitude Called Life

The indescribable gratitude that is life
What is it? How do we know it when we see it? Do we value it? Do we cherish it?
It is simple you know. We identify it the moment we touch it.

It is the morning sun at the break of dawn.
It is the gentle feel of the wind against our faces.
It is the joy of a mother holding her child for the first time.
It is the twinkle in the eyes of the groom as the bride walks down the aisle.
It is the pride of parents seeing their child take its first step.

A thousand galaxies and a million starts cannot capture the essence of it.
It is the victory dance of a player after winning the championship.
It is the achievement of walking out a graduate.
It is the bliss of receiving your first pay check.

But do not think that’s all there is to it, because there is more.
It is the relief of a family as the doctor approaches with a smile on her face.
It is the handshake that unites two nations
It is a pat on the back for a job well done.
It is the culmination of our yesterday, our today and our tomorrow.

So, when it passes by, do not hesitate. Grab it, don’t let it go.
Hold it. Savour it. Treasure it. Live it.
And enjoy the indescribable gratitude called life.

Copyright © Yakubu Bako Usman | Year Posted 2018


Book: Shattered Sighs