Songs of Silence: Collection of Poems and Images

By Chidi A. Okoye

This is the voice of an indomitable human spirit in
battle with the external forces of this life and the internal enemies of its
soul. It is a tedious journey, through deep waters, dark valleys and on to
the victorious mountain peaks of the human experience. This collection
of writings and images speak to the soul of the mundane and the divine.
Its universal cry penetrates the boundaries of race, culture, sex and religion.
It is a voice that speaks to humankind in their crisis and challenges. It
is a voice that speaks to the souls of men, in search of Self and their
Creator.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Trafford Publishing
• Release date: Jun 15, 2012
• ISBN: 9781466932814

Chidi A. Okoye

He is a renowned Nigerian Sculptor, painter and poet with 6yrs professional teaching, national solo exhibition, Nigerian museum Lagos and author of lamentation thoughts and images sponsored by Mobile Producing; found himself in Vancouver BC on invitation to start a fresh journey as an artist. Having overcome some rough edges of life with numerous sold out limited editions of works have left him with songs of silence

Book preview

© Copyright 2012 Chidi A. Okoye.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or

transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or

otherwise, without the written prior permission of the author.

isbn:

978-1-4669-3282-1 (sc)

978-1-4669-3281-4 (e)

Trafford rev. 06/08/12

7-Copyright-Trafford_Logo.ai www.trafford.com

North America & international

toll-free: 1 888 232 4444 (USA & Canada)

phone: [phone] ♦ fax: [phone]

SONGS of SILENCE

Chidi A. Okoye

COLLECTION OF POEMS AND IMAGES

Dedication

to my sweet mom, Justina Okoye and all Mothers

About the images

Most of the images in this book are available for sale in originals and limited editions, numbered and signed. I also do commissioned works.

For more information contact [e-mail]

Acknowledgement

I thank God for his love, favour, protection and grace; I couldn’t do anything without you, Lord. You are my source.

I want to says big thanks to my mom Justina, my siblings, Tina, Nneka, Uche, Amaka Meche, Ejike, my big sis Ncheta Aniemena and uncle George Okoye. I will never forget all your support and love.

To my better half, Ngozi Chidi and our kids; Chidi jr, Mmachi, Chinonye, Chidubem, Chidera, Uju Anyansi and General & Mrs S.I Momah. I salute.

To Tony Otikpa, Pastor Emaka Okonkwo, Chike Ebebe, Nnamdi Okonkwo, David Ejembi, Pastor & Mrs James Solomon, Mr & Mrs Clement Adegbasan, Carolyn Walton, Marilyan Clements, Margaret Shulz, Sheilagh Cahill, Linda Harries,Rani Bains, Alloy Anozie and all my clients and fans I say thanks for your encouragement and amazing support.

INTRODUCTION

Songs of Silence, is the voice of an indomitable human spirit in battle with the external forces of this life and the internal enemies of its soul. It is a tedious journey, through deep waters, dark valleys and on to the victorious mountain peaks of the human experience. This collection of writings and images speak to the soul of the mundane and the divine.Its universal cry penetrates the boundaries of race, culture, sex and religion. It is a voice that speaks to humankind in their crisis and challenges. Itis a voice that speaks to the souls of men, in search of Self and their Creator.

Chidi Okoye’s words, which are naked, vulnerable, honest and poignant, call us to a higher place in our humanity. It is a place where we come face to face with our mortality, our eternity, our destiny and our sanity. It is a place where we resolve to free our gifts for the benefit of our generation or wallow in self-defeat. Songs of Silence are the things we think and may not say out loud. They are the words we yell in our minds, cry in our pain, whisper in our fears, and sigh in our ecstasies.

Chidi Okoye’s images are genius works of art. With great skill, the artist is able to capture the beauty of Igbo culture and at the same time evoke those ideals and commonalties with which we identify as a global family…love, community, environment, tradition, family, labour, friendship, peace….

Movement, colour, emotion and something spiritual are in the detailed, intricate works of the artist’s hands. If they were to break… surely a bit of Chidi would be found in each one.

Hear, the songs of silence.

Carolyn Phillips Walton

Michigan, USA

CONTENTS

Guardian Angel

Father

Tears of Sorrow

Lead me

Not in my powers

No turning point

I am waiting on you

Running tears

A walk in the wood

I have come to chat

Sacrifice

Not much to ask

October

Drop of grace

Praising time

At the end of the rain

Dada

Beyond the threshold of time

Homage

Heritage

Echoes of our legend drums

Celebration

Angelic dance

Healing dance

Wind of drums

Mama Africa

Sisters 3

Drum sisters

Teach them young

Tears of mother earth

Ever yours

Sweet mom

Born babies but grown women

Do you remember me

Something to say

Silent night

Amina

Roses to blossom

Talk to me

Always in my mind

Circle of love

I got your back brother

He lied

Hidden roots of joy

In search of hope

Break your silence

Room in lake city

Lines of beauty

Songs of silence

On wings of dreams

Reflections

Read my lips

Tribute to Marley

Fullness of Time

What we have become

I have