Poems by Abdul Kabir Abu Irfan (or Prince Adewale Oreshade)

Another poet I've met through Facebook is the Nigerian-American Abdul Kabir Abu Irfan (or, since the beginning of 2015, Prince Adewale Oreshade).  This evening I'd like to post some of his poems for you to enjoy.  As you can see, a number of his poems are addressed to friends.

 a bird in the sky

for jennifer aduro.

i have heard of a jennifer, that one

the wife of arthur, the queen of england.

i have heard of a jennifer, that one

the free bird in the sky. i have heard of her.

i have seen her flight, as her wings

calmed the wind, and her subtle speed

touched the trees. i have seen her slide

down the spring with arms in the air.

i have seen her open her wings wide

with fear of nothing. nothing scares her

i see her fly steady, over the meadows

and the seas. i have seen her fly.

i see jennifer, not in camelot, and not

with merlin. i see her not with arthur

and not in the midst of war, no, not war

or poverty. i see jennifer in this blue sky.

with her being full of grace, and her

smiles filled with hopes. i see her feet

with blackberries, apples and oranges

strung to her ankles, those elegant pair.

i see jennifer walk in peace, wish for

fun. place to place with heart of silk.

to and fro her flight in the blue sky

she wished me well, yes, she spoke.

she wished everyone well. she flew

high and high, until our mouths were

open to the clouds. she is jennifer

the graceful bird in the deep blue sky.

 i.

olives and doves

lures of all beings

immersed in peace

ii.

violins and cellos

enchanting to the ears

recite me your poems

iii.

own my ears

never stop the rhymes

you bard of peace

iv.

inject all souls

brighten our hearts

empty our sorrows

(an acrostic for oliver onyibe) ‪#‎JustBecause ‪#‎Hehe

 i.

send her to the north

her highness will come home

and own her space of bliss

ii.

delicate and precious

ebony filled with beam

melody of the north

iii.

align with her in the south

reach for her voice;

yearns of fame

iv.

- release your whim

and touch horizons -

new worlds of truth

v.

never seek the dim

own the stars

lose the wreath

vi.

amplify your words

own this realm

yours is the ink of lith

vii.

emulsion of souls

(an acrostic for shade mary - ann olaoye)

I don't think I've posted a version of "Ruby, My Dear."  Here is the Barry Harris Trio's version of this song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wakoQmVqTnI

Imagine the birds flying on this song!

I think that I've posted "Pannonica" on the blog, but I am going to add it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ciqI9PXmZWU

Here is a version of "Well, You Needn't": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FOvKLvWuZjg

I'll finish with Monk's version of "Caravan."  It's a relatively late performance: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kb9SXfvgikA

Enjoy!