oneness
Homage to Geneva [Book Collection]
Homage to Geneva
Ugonna Wachuku
(c) 1998: Ugonna Wachuku
Contents:
Dedication
Prologue
Escalade
Homage to Geneva
Fireworks
Spirit of Geneva
English Garden
River Walk
Alpine Garden
Take My Love
The Author
Dedication:
To every Genevese
and to every other
human being who,
in oneness, symbolize
that Genevan spirit
of tolerance, peace,
humanitarianism and
brotherhood of all
humankind.
Prologue
"Man is born free;
and everywhere he
is in chains."
~ Jean Jacques Rousseau
"The desire to be as
civil as possible is
a deep motive for the
contemplative life."
~M. Scott Peck
In Geneva today, the human creative spirit is
not in chains. One is invited to let one's creative
essence run calmly wild for the peaceful good of all
humanity.
In contemplation therefore, Geneva will never cease
to awe and inspire my deepest poetic emotion. For
me, Geneva is not just a small, global city and state.
Geneva is an emerald beauty of huge, natural, creative
inspiration so unexplainable.
In paying this homage to Geneva, it is my kind wish to
invoke the most subtle feeling in every human heart -
so that we can begin to see Geneva anew based on her
ancestral heritage in the reformation and humanitarianism.
And also in the moving spirit of her hard-won independence
clothed in that strengthening solidarity of the human spirit.
In Geneva's great name, let us continue to live with that
cherished spirit of peace warmed in the sky-blue garments
of love and solidified in the flame of human adversity
and soulful yearning for survival through this journey
called life.
At the very dawn of the new millennium, let us embrace
one another with that sweet fragrance of humane care
and healing oneness.
In Geneva's meadow gardens and green country-sides
of inspiration and peace, :- from Hermance to Dardagny;
from Veyrier to Versoix, to Plan-les-Ouates - where
inspiring Patek Philippe have been humanely creating
worthy watches for humankind since 1839, let us, indeed,
affirm our love for one another despite our skin colour,
religious creed, social status, level of education or ethnic
origin:
By doing so, we will surely build an enchanting world of
peace and humaneness where everyone will sit with joy
and fulfilment under his or her own Alpine tree
or palm tree.
Subsequently, let me specially call on all women and
men of inspiration and goodwill to join me in paying
this heart-felt homage to Geneva - with additional
inspiration and encouragement from abiding friends
such as Franck Muller: Master of Complications!
Let my creative tribute to this humanely great Canton of
the Swiss, Confederation Helvetia, which I have come to
christen: Poetic Geneva, outlive the monuments of time
and stone. Let us cherish this humble homage to Geneva
now and forever!
Ugonna Wachuku
Wednesday 20 May, 1998
Geneva, Switzerland
i:
Escalade
There is a spirit so strong
and beautiful on this land
called Geneva where the
rivers Rhone and Arve
calmly flow.
On a summer boatride down
the Rhone town and country,
one's joy is aroused by the
enchanting nature of Geneva's
bloom and glow.
Geneva is a beautiful land
beckoning to love and to
embrace with a maidens's
charm.
The people of Geneva are
beautiful too. It is the
people's strong spirit
that sustains the land in
beauty an peaceful
independence.
This strong spirit came
on firmly during that
dark night of December
11, 1602, when it seemed
the stars of hope and
light had fled from
Geneva's sky.
When it seemed the people
of Geneva will smile no
more in the land's beauty.
With Charles-Emmanuel -
Duke of Savoy on the brink
of conquering Geneva by
suprise, the land's peaceful
soul was shaken.
From the city walls at
Plainpalais to the
clinging bells of Saint
Peter's Cathedral, the
Genevese raised their
loving lanterns in
oneness.
Jacques Mrcier's first
shot of warning can
still be heard today,
raising that strong
spirit for the land's
fragrant, uplifting
freedom.
Even Francois Bousezel
who gave his life to
keep Geneva's peaceful
independence and beauty
will still be remembered
till the end of time.
In a spirit of oneness
and love, Geneva fought
to bring glorious light
and freedom during that
night of terror.
Through the years, that
sweet aroma of Mere
Royaume's pot of saving
soup can still be breathed
in soothing defence of
Geneva's independence.
Lady Piaget's keys
unlocked the darling
door to freedom and
joyful victory.
Geneva won her freedom,
her peaceful independence
when Isaac Mercier dropped
the Portcullis at the
blown-up gate of Porte
Neuve.
The stars smiled.
Heaven heathered.
The dark grey sky
bloomed into dewy
dawn on that glorious
sunday morning when
Theodore de Beze and
Simone Goulart led
Geneva in worship
and praise to God
Almighty who made
all things peaceful
and beautifully
healing.
Remember, there is
a strong spirit so
splendid and uplifting
on this land of heaven's
earth called Geneva where
the rivers Rhone and Arve
freshly flow with gladness.
There is a spirit so
strong and beautifully
inspiring on this
Genevese land called
Saint Gervais where
eighteen men lie
while the freedom
and peaceful
independence
they won live
for you and
for me till
the end of
time!
....... From my book: Homage to Geneva .......
(c) Ugonna Wachuku: May 1998
Geneva: Switzerland
_
Homage to Geneva
~ Critiques/Comments ~
Serene Moment
belleloved@excite.com
A very nice tribute to Geneva. I've learned a lot on an historical perspective. Great work. ^_^
http://www.postpoems.com/members/serene
Helen Schmidt
heljac123@aol.com
Ugonna,
What a wonderful homage to a beautiful city. My husband and I have visited Geneva and found it to be a lovely, ethereal place whose citizens are friendly and welcoming. I enjoyed the historical citations in your "Homage to Geneva." A beautiful piece!
Best regards,
Helen
http://PostPoems.com/members/helen
2002-02-22 12:03:50
Farah D
fiffi_d@yahoo.com
I was in Geneva last month and I can totally relate to the sentiments that you have expressed so beautifully here..Ugonna. Its a most wonderful and humane city...and you have brought that aspect of the city so well in your poem. Its as if Geneva is speaking to you and through the words of Geneva you speak to us. One of my most memorable memories of Geneva is from the air as the plane swoops in to land ..with the calmness of the lake beckoning you to come down quickly. I will surely be back again in Geneva soon and I will surely be back before that to read your wonderful words. Thank you Ugonna.
http://PostPoems.com/members/destiny
2002-04-14 13:53:42
The Road to Essertines [Book Collection]
The Road to Essertines
Ugonna Wachuku
(c) April 1997
Contents:
Dedication
Prologue
The Harvest I
The Harvest II
Cathie
Dreams
Now
Barefooted
Forever
This
Lonely Eagle
Brooks to You
Aglow
Distant Streams
When Dawn Comes
River Bird
The Moon Never Departs
When the Birds Sing
The road
Flower
Silence
She will Be
This Earth in You
For the Beginning
I Remember Who You Are
Winter in your Heart
Masterpiece II
Back Again
Beckon Eagles
Moon Angel
Masterpiece
Farewell
The Author
Dedication:
To her who became an
enigmatic muse on
The road to Essertines-
Catherine Ramu!
Prologue:
On the road to Essertines, there is no short cut.
The experience is a long, whole, breathless,
charming encounter with nature.
Yearning to be at one with enchanting country-sides of poetic
Confederation Helvetia, I set out for Essertines a small village
in the Dardagny Commune of Switzerland's Canton of Geneva.
Above of all, I went in search of her. And discovered that I
have been charmed to entrancement by the nature of her
village.
On this stupendous road to Esertines, she became an enigma
and subsequently bloomed into a Muse. The reality of this
Muse dawned on me when I discovered that within the depths
of my creative being, new forms of poetic expression were
taking shape and breathing.
In days, weeks and months that followed - between April,
1996 and February, 1997, poems in this collection were
written by me in response to the awesome creative inspiration
this enigmatic Essertines Muse brought my humble way.
For how long she will remain this Muse, I cannot tell. But
indeed, I have dedicated this collection to her as a soulful,
monumental tribute to all women and men of inspiration and
goodwill; who will, against all odds, continue to love, to
care, to cherish and to conquer evil and fatal forces that
wish to stiffle our humaneness as humankind bound in dignified
earthhood, peace and loving oneness.
Today, it is a beautiful March afternoon. The sun is brilliant
and warm. From the large window of my home library and study,
I can see Geneva's magnificent country-side greening into
splendid spring near the river Rhone. So, I will be so
grateful if you join me as I step-out for an inspired walk
on the road to Essertines!
Ugonna Wachuku
Loex village,
Bernex Commune,
Geneva, Switzerland
Thursday 13 March 1997
A:
The Harvest I
On the temple's threshold,
I await your home-coming.
I do not wait alone.
The eagle waits too.
Then, at the distance,
the farmer begins to
gather the harvest for
you and for nature.
The sower begins to
soe the seed from the
land in your heart.
The land is fertile.
Your land is green.
The rain begins to
drizzle.
The land kisses her.
The rain kisses the
land and the eagle
smiles across those
green fields luring.
The sower sows more
seeds.
The rain increases in
intensity while beneath
the sheltering tree you
sit in calm contemplation.
Then you drink from
the rain as the farmer
gathers the harvest in
the healing, fertile
rain of your land.
In your eyes, the new
harvest is seen.
New seeds begin to
sprout.
B:
The Harvest II
The Path:
I came to see you
yesterday.
I was at the farm.
Catherine:
[Shrugs]
I wasn't there.
Anyway, if you came, that was
fine of you. And whatwas your
mission?
The Path:
I came for the harvest.
These days, one never
knows when the clouds
will gather.
Catherine:
[Somewhat suprised]
The harvest! Who told you
there's a harvest?
The Path:
I am the path!
Catherine:
Aha! The Path! The Path
to what? To where?
The Path:
Yesterday, remember you were
the road. The road flows to
your river inthe heart of
Essertines. But then, I am
the Path to this harvest!
Catherine:
[Startled]
You're kidding me!
Who told you to believe
that?
The Path:
I don't need any old time
prophet to tell me that.
It's real. And don't you
forget: I am still the Path!
Catherine:
[Shrugs again. Stares]
Hmmnnmm! Talk about being
real. What do you know about
the harvest anyway?
The Path:
I was with you at the
beginning. I saw you
sitting under the tree
in the rain. The farmer
was there. The sower.
And the eagle too. I was
with you at your childhood
streams and waterfalls of
yeaterday and today - at the
spring - if you understand.
Catherine:
I could. But then, I honestly
want to know what you would say
about this harvest. I saw your
noble rainbow when the clouds
gatther. You think I didn't?
The Path:
Ah! There you are!!
But I have already told
you about the farm. What
else do you want to hear?
Catherine:
Your heartbeat!
The Path:
The Path never beats.
It trails. For the heartbeat,
I suggest you meet your friend-
eagle.
Catherine:
Okay! Then, what do
you trail?
The Path:
You
Catherine:
[Shaken. Exclaims]
Meeee! The Path
trails little me!
The Path:
Well ...
Catherine:
That's all you'll
say? - "well ..."
Why me?
Tell me.
You seem to be an
interesting character.
The Path:
I have played so many
parts in my life-span
and time. You could be right.
Catherine:
Then, what about the
harvest?
What about trailing me?
The Path:
I will tell you tomorrow
when we meet at the river.
Catherine:
The river! Where would
that be: The river?
The Path:
Listen, Catherine, the
eagles call now. I've
got to go. We'll see at
the river.
Catherine:
Hey you! Wait a second!
But The Path was gone.
Leaves in the wind
followed The Path
while at the distance,
village drummers and
dancers waited for the
harvest ceremony at a
river of life and love
yet unknown to her.
.......
.......
From my book collection: The Road to Essertines
~ Critiques/Comments ~
Amy Riberdy
winnowillwhite@hotmail.com
i AM JUST SO LOST IN A MAGICAL WORLD IN THIS WONDERFULLY SYMBOLIC &
IMAGINATORY STORY. WHO TOLD YOU I WAS THE HARVEST? (THE QUESTION...)
(THE ANSWER COMES WITH SUCH CONFIDENCE & POSSIBLY A LITTLE BIT OF
SMUGNESS: " I AM THE PATH..") THEN COMES THE CHALLENGE... AH, THE
PATH. THE PATH TO WHAT? WHERE. CATHERINE TAKES NOTHING AT FACE VALUE,
EVEN ONE WHO CLAIMS TO KNOW IT ALL... I AM SO IMPRESSED.... WELL
DONE. AMY
http://www.postpoems.com/members/gentle
Mona Omar
monao3@yahoo.com
wow ugonna the road to essertines is lovely but the path was gone
leaves in the wind followed the path river of life and love yet
unknown to her ?! wow its beautiful
http://www.postpoems.com/members/mona
Charisma *T.A.* Makatita-Poortman
shyrena@wanadoo.nl
I am truly impressed by your talent. Thank you for sharing your
wonderful thoughts. Charisma ~*TMP*~
http://www.postpoems.com/members/charisma