AFRICAN REFUGEES

Winter Rain

2009-07-16T12:41:00.002+09:30

frisky tadpoles
in my visual field...
winter deluge

the sound
of silence after the first
winter rain...
how precious is the moment when
the sun turns the other cheek?

raindrops in Findon...
a flock of wild ducks come out
to play; stealing kisses

sowing the
seeds of desire after
the fall...
a cloud painted with
your smiles

the moon sings
yet you sit like the Pharaoh's cat
purring

a new voice
in the 'hood foretold
and yet, the light
of old memory fills the
heart of many

(C) Lawrence T. Udo-Ekpo

The Moment of Desire

2009-07-08T14:09:00.002+09:30

i wake up
in triumph; conquering
the dead of winter
swimming in the pristine
waters of great joy

behold the yellow moon
in the sweetest moment of passion
nourishing the soul...

her delicate light
liberates my consciousness;
permeating the whole
spectrum of my being under the
watchful eyes of Venus

like an angel from the
blue, she comes in all her glory...
bearing the divine nectar

i see true love in her
limpid eyes of bliss; drinking from
the sweet wells of beauty
sublime; watching as her divine
presence dissolves in my naked soul

she sails through my
veins like a ship upon the secret
river of time; chanting love!

now, I can feel the
soothing rhythm of her heartbeat as
she savours the moment...
singing the divine melody in the
wondrous bed of a thousand lights

soulful dance of oneness...
what a stellar trajectory of love in
the moment of desire?

Copyright (C) Lawrence T. Udo-Ekpo

The Hand of Friendship

2009-02-22T13:18:00.002+10:30

Concerned about the wellbeing of refugees, the Charles Sturt Council in South Australia has, recently, established a new program to forge closer links between residents and the new arrivals.

The main thrust of the new policy is on building bridges across cultures; lending a helping hand of friendship where it matters.

The Community of Friends Scheme puts volunteers in regular contact with the new migrants and refugees in order to help them settle into the local community.

Meanwhile, the African refugees are the main beneficiaries of this new approach to integration and resettlement in the state.

Friendship
On the fatal shore…
Summer moon

© Lawrence T. Udo-Ekpo

A Long Way from Home

2009-02-01T13:14:00.002+10:30

For the refugees, every moment is a constant struggle for survival, a relentless search for home and community in an alien environment.

Omari Kimweri, 26, a Tanzanian boxer who made international headlines after defecting from the national team during the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, Australia, is continuing his fight for permanent residency in the country, after launching a professional career recently.

The Adelaide City Messenger newspaper reports that Omari is still pleading with the Australian authorities to allow him to stay; fearing arrest and prosecution if he is forced to return to his homeland in Tanzania.

Meanwhile, his fate is in the hands of the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship affairs, Chris Evans.

Makuac Wins an Award

2009-01-27T15:28:00.002+10:30

Makuac Dhal is the proud winner of the Minister for Education and Children’s Services Award for excellence in Languages and Cultures.

The award was announced and presented on Australia Day, 26th January 2009, at Government House in Adelaide, South Australia.

Makuac is a quiet (yet distinguished) 18 year-old Sudanese man, who came to Australia in 2003 as a refugee.

He has worked effectively with people in need; helping the new arrivals make sense of the world in which they find themselves; translating and interpreting for the Dinka speaking parents and care-givers in the area.

In fact, his effort has already yielded some positive outcomes; leading to a better understanding of the cultural norms and the needs of the Sudanese youths in the new and emerging communities in South Australia.

Makuac is an ambitious young man with great potential and a worthy recipient of the award.

Dreamtime Tales

2008-12-28T10:42:00.002+10:30

the dreamtime tales
of wonder sublime; imagining
the mysteries
of the divine consciousness
under the glow of your essence

you shine
the light on the immortal
longings of the
lonely soul under the watchful
eye of the rainbow

frisky hormones
on the rampage; deflowering
the cell nucleus
in the primordial pond
of ravishing beauty

the microbes
also have their special night
of surreal pleasure
cradling the mystic egg before
the golden dawn

across the dark matter
(in the blissful realm) I witness
the glorious birth
of the cosmic nymph, a flurry of
love particles over the crescent moon

the electrons in
the scarlet clothing of desire
profoundly seduced
by the magic protons under
the trembling beam of light

love blossoms in
earnest; feeding the flame...
nourishing the lonely
soul with sweet thoughts of life
endowed with endless joy

i sow the holy
seed of destiny with great delight
seeing the divine truth ...
feeling the eternal beauty of pure
love emanating from the single spark

© Lawrence T. Udo-Ekpo

The Sense of Joy

2008-10-05T15:48:00.002+10:30

you sing
the dreamtime melody with
waves of delight
enjoying the mystical food
of love before dawn

i feel
the sweetness of your
pearly smile...
under the warm glow
of passion divine

you nourish
my soul with the sublime
images of love
finding ecstasy in the inner
world of desire

sensing
the divine song of beauty
this glorious night
you feed the flame of passion
with a delicate touch

The Soothing Voice of Passion

2008-08-31T19:05:00.002+09:30

your soothing voice
fills the innermost depths of my
heart with joyful thoughts -
each word a clean slice of heaven
on a platter; the shining pearls
of wisdom contained

like the sweetest bird
of Oz after the winter solstice,
your inner voice creates the perfect
mood; exploring the miracles of life…
nurturing the fragile soul under
the trembling light

yours is the passionate voice of reason
flavoured with the elixir of joy…
the golden drops of honey plucked
from your sculptured lips
whose luscious blossom is the
lasting flower of the heart

it’s the voice of hope
painted with your kisses; a tonic
of delight in a mansion
of many dreaming rooms - a natural
mix of life, light, and desire

and now, I‘ve tasted
the eternal beauty of your divine
essence and enjoyed
its sweet and charming splendour…
scaling the symphonic heights of passion

© Lawrence T. Udo-Ekpo

Inner Beauty

2008-07-20T12:10:00.002+09:30

the mighty
winter hits the land
with intimate
sound of silence, profoundly
seduced by solitude

yet, your
inner beauty gladdens
the heart and
brightens my days
with selfless gift

it re-ignites
the flame of passion
with timeless joy –
the basic ingredient of pure
love and ambition

it keeps
all things new and
fresh like
the mystical lily
in the pond

thus, inspired by
the divine presence, I see
the face of love…
feeling the mesmerizing
rhythm of your heartbeat

© Lawrence T. Udo-Ekpo

African Pilgrims

2008-07-15T10:30:00.003+09:30

Pilgrims from across Africa are in Australia for the World Youth Day 2008 festivities. The celebrations begin today with an open day mass in Sydney harbour.

On Thursday, Pope Benedict XVI will greet the half a million devout young followers, including African youths, for the first time when he makes his way across Sydney harbour by boat to the Barangaroo foreshore.

african pilgrims
in fancy clothing; waltzing
the night away…
shouldering the cross with
a cupful of promise

© Lawrence T. Udo-Ekpo

Ugandan Cricketers Face Deportation

2008-06-29T10:45:00.002+09:30

Two Ugandan cricketers who, in 2007, fled their touring national team to seek refugee status in Australia have had their application rejected, according to the Weekly Times Messenger newspaper report.

Patrick Ochan, 19, and Jimmy Okello, 20, both orphans from the little village of Gulu in northern Uganda now face the real possibility of being deported from their temporary home in Adelaide, South Australia.

Meanwhile, fearing violence and bloodshed in their homeland, the orphans are terrified of being sent back to Uganda because they have no future in that country.

But, in the final analysis, only the goodwill of the Australian people and the intervention by the Immigration Minister can save them from their fate.

Messengernews,com.au

Love and Laughter

2008-06-15T16:03:00.002+09:30

love and
laughter on the menu...
amorous lips
sizzling with new sparks of life
under the trembling light

our eyes meet
and the eternal glow of your
aura enlivens my soul

rhythms of love…
a rare Opportunity
to sample
an elixir of desire
full of dreams

you make the first
move, Iris; painting the future
with your kisses

you penetrate
the centre of my being
in the nick of time;
revealing the galaxy of colors
under the yellow moon

the sound
of your footsteps
tapping

banksias in bloom
near the secret passage of joy
the sudden flush
of luscious red flowers
bathed in winter’s sunlight

you swim like an
angel in the Sea of beauty…
the artistry of wonder

you witness
the timely birth of Desire
along the secret river
of the golden light
where love and laughter
reign supreme; banishing
the evil genius from
the human heart

a red rose
on my windowsill…
sweet thoughts of you

© Lawrence T. Udo-Ekpo

The Field of Dreams

2008-05-19T08:13:00.002+09:30

overwhelmed
by the divine light,
in the secret passage,
a place of Truth
and beauty, I glance
amorously at the immense
beauty of your essence.

i sit in awe, like
a poet possessed; recording
the fragments of life
in the field of dreams
where the fairy-wren sings
and the wild rose blooms
in silence before the dawn.

now, touched by your inner
beauty and scented lips, I
experience the joy and
fulfillment of life (so pure
and true)…the orgasmic taste
of your goodness sublime.

© Lawrence T. Udo-Ekpo

The Simba Lions of Congo

2008-05-14T11:09:00.001+09:30

The Simba Lions of Congo has, for the first time, entered the South Australian Amateur Soccer League (SSAASL), as a registered club.

The club is made up of young migrants and refugees from Africa who now call Australia home.

As a new addition to the League; the Simba Lions of Congo is doing extremely well - roaring along very nicely, indeed.

It has already won all three games and is now sitting on top of the Division 5A ladder, according to the Weekly Times Messenger

Sweet Sound of Passion

2008-05-11T18:10:00.002+09:30

sweet sound of passion…
the mystery of the joyful night
wrapped with your kisses

you anointed my
soul with clear visions of the light
capturing the fecund
thought of beauty in the divine
moment of oneness

you ride the gentle
waves of passion in triumph
enjoying the positive vibes

now, I fill
the sacred vessel with
pure love…
forging a new reality where
sweet flowers bloom

enchanted journey …
the relentless pursuit
of the mystical fruit

you light
the inner flame of Desire
with a delicate touch
patiently unlocking the deepest
secrets of consciousness for fun

© Lawrence T. Udo-Ekpo

The African Spirit

2008-04-28T19:36:00.004+09:30

you arouse true love
and compassion within my veins...
the African spirit

your gentle hand
guides me through the corridors
of thought; revealing
the embers of a fecund mind
and a thousand flowers in bloom

you turn
sadness into joyful rhythms
on the fatal shore

with hard times looming
you transform the fragile ‘hood
for good…
the immense beauty
of life preserved

behold the golden dawn…
the new state of consciousness
blessed with potential

you tame
the voice of unreason
with pure love…
nourishing the soul with
the sacred nectar of desire

© Lawrence T. Udo-Ekpo

On the Beaten Track

2008-04-21T15:46:00.002+09:30

at dawn
when the smiling sun warms
the beaten track…
the lost boy walks in silence
weaving a dream

the golden rays
capture the inner beauty
of the fragile
soul in the unfolding
drama of life foretold

now, the gentle
breeze gives up its secrets
ever so slowly
you find your niche along
the narrow passage

© Lawrence T. Udo-Ekpo

Little Beauty

2008-04-12T15:16:00.003+09:30

the lyrebird
in my father’s garden…
autumn moon

sing to me, you
little beauty, the soulful
songs of joy

take me (on your
sumptuous wings) to the secret
places of the heart

© Lawrence T. Udo-Ekpo

The Good People of Dorrigo

2008-03-22T12:33:00.002+10:30

The residents of the small community of Dorrigo in New South Wales, Australia, have opened their hearts and minds to African refugees; deliberately inviting them to settle in the local community, according to the recent ABC-TV program.

The program focused on the plight of African refugees in the post-resettlement period; tracing the journey of Martha Malou, Martin Majok and their six children as they try to adjust to life in the new environment; doing the daily battle for survival in Dorrigo community.

Nevertheless, the point to note is that the good people of Dorrigo are prepared to support the new comers by providing food, shelter and clothing during the early days of arrival, despite the ongoing tension about the refugees elsewhere in the nation.

They want the best for the African refugees.

It seems to me, quite clearly, that the destiny of the local community and that of the refugees are now very closely intertwined. Hard-wired to work, the Africans are ready for new the new challenge and are feeling at home in Dorrigo community.

Some are working hard to improve themselves and are doing it in style.

“I want to be Australian citizen because I want to be part of the community”, so says Martin, who is now working and studying and making a new life for himself in the thriving Dorrigo community Down Under.

Eye of the Beholder

2008-02-24T11:56:00.003+10:30

the secret
river of love flows
ever so gently
under the watchful
eye of the beholder

cherry blossom...
weaving the wreath
of desire
with the first taste
of the nectar

the rise
of the fecund moon
foretold...
the image of the spring
flower drunk with love

your red lips
speak softly of "us" as
i explore
the mystic fruit of your
essence with lustful eyes

a brush with
the intense passion of your
ways sublime...
spirited away by the sacred
poetry of desire

you turn up
the heat with your
magic touch
just like the frisky suns
of the summer past

finally, you lift
the veil and whisper love
(ever so tenderly)...
clearing the path to inner peace
with a spoonful of dreams

(C) Lawrence T. Udo-Ekpo

Over the Rainbow

2008-01-30T11:39:00.001+10:30

the rhythmic
throb of your golden heart
of hearts revealed…
a passionate journey
over the rainbow

sing to me, egret…
the sweet songs of summer
soaked in love

you dance lightly
on the rose petal of my dreams
seeing beauty
in the inner sanctum
of my being

the ecstasy
of the gentle breeze profound…
radiance of the soul

with the exotic
heat, you capture the rarest
essence of desire…
the golden drop of
summer’s moon

your seductive
dance of wonder unfolds…
the miracle of being

© Lawrence T. Udo-Ekpo

The Secret Eden

2008-01-03T15:41:00.001+10:30

The fecund
Poem nurtures the soul…
Remaking
The secret Eden in her
Own image

Heartbeat of the gods…
The mystery of a perfect
Smile revealed

Beyond the limits
Of freewill, you flowered
Along with the roses…
The unspoken language
Of desire ingrained

You sing
The dreamtime melody…
Golden dawn

You share
The pulse of my rib…
This precious gift
Of love in the inner garden
Of dreams

The angelic face
Of the moon in focus…
Smiling Eve

Then the quest
For the perfect stanza begins…
The Odyssey
Of the enchanted spirit
Of the realm

You seize
The glorious moment…
Cultivating
The fertile crescent of my
Soul with glee

© Lawrence T. Udo-ekpo

Merry Christmas

2007-12-25T14:51:00.001+10:30

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR

Enduring Passion

2007-12-09T11:14:00.001+10:30

a splash of colour
in antipodean garden…
summer lovin’

your sunny
smile now dances its way
into my
soul; unlocking the pearly
gates of desire

a redhead
with lustful eyes…
crowded house

we melt into
one gentle flow of emotion
this fateful day…
nurturing the pink flower
of the soul

sweet memory
of you - a room painted
with your kisses

you, the frisky
muse, pour great passion
into the red
heart of summer…
endless joy

the blooming rose…
yearning for the gentle touch
of the golden rays

and, then, your
joy runs into ecstasy
recapturing
the golden heritage
of rhythm and warmth

the butterfly
in her element; flash dancing
in the wind

© Lawrence T. Udo-Ekpo

African Football Club

2007-12-07T18:12:00.001+10:30

Africa United Allstars Football Club has recently launched a new website.

The club has a registered membership of 40 players from various communities in South Australia.

For more information, please visit: http://africaunited.com.au