Hidden Tears in a Jar of Clay

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Hidden tears in a jar of clay

Rotten bones in a palace

Cold hearts in a sandstorm

Hopes are eaten in a day

Shadows of the past redeemed

Shame dancing for free

What else can go wrong?

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Photo by Scott Webb on Pexels.com

Sorrows have the strength of a fig

Hopes the leg of iron

Hearts live forever in the dreams of men

Air is free and unshakable

Earth will regrow.

Everyone you meet is fighting a secret battle. Let’s be kind.

S.S.David

The poems above are a series of contrasts and paradoxes which show the fragility of human existence and the assertion that we are all subject to eventual death, despite our best efforts to protect ourselves. And if we know that, shouldn’t that inform how we live? Shouldn’t we be kind to ourselves and others? Knowing that one day, we’ll move on from this part of heaven?

The second part of the stanza reveals themes of strength and resilience in the face of sorrow and adversity, and after destruction or decay, new growth and life will emerge. This poem played into the unfolding tragedy in Turkey and Syria, where over 17,000 people have sadly died. I know the raw emotions and despair of losing a loved one, but time heals all wounds, and I pray that anyone reading this will hold on to hope despite their adverse circumstances.

My love and prayers to the people of Turkey, Syria, Ukraine, and other parts of the world where there are suffering. Everyone is fighting a secret battle, let’s be kind.

Earth will regrow, and the sun will shine again.

Much love, always. 🙂

Alive and Renewed

Love and justice mingle, truth and mercy meet.’

Nicky Gumbel

Love bought us freedom from eternal damnation, and the supernatural is as real as the next person to you. Although it’s difficult for some people to comprehend that there is life after death. I believe there is life after we pass away from this realm simply because of Christ’s Resurrection from the dead.

If I were to count the times I have been saved from physical harm, I would have to write a 200,000 word memoir to recount my experiences, and it would not be enough. Christ’s resurrection shows that there is still hope, not only in heaven but in this world too. I am alive and renewed by the power in the blood of Jesus Christ and the miracle of His resurrection.

Heaven is real

I have experienced the supernatural power of God several times, and as a Christian, it’s with great pride that I declare my hope in the future; this life is certainly not the end, and humanity will be saved.

If anyone is reading this and you’re depressed, please don’t be, whatever you’re going through will pass if you put your faith in God. If disease has ravaged your body, there is hope and healing for you but you need to claim it through faith and prayers to God.

We all know that life is very complex but we have a complete God who sacrificed His only son for our redemption. There is hope for you, just believe in God, I did, and He changed my story.😄✨

Happy Easter to all my friends. Much love to you, always!❤️☺️🌟🌸

George Floyd’s Tears Echoes Through Eternity!

Photo credit: Joanna Villango

The world is a dangerous place to live; not because of the people who are evil, but because of the people who don’t do anything about it.

Albert Einstein

In the height of ’Jihadi John’ reign of terror, the Islamic State executioner who derives pleasure in executing journalists, that image stuck in my mind because it was widely available online. However, it has been replaced with Derek Chauvin grinding his knee into George Floyd’s neck while the poor man cried for mercy. When Jihadi John murdered several innocent journalists, mostly whites. I was angry and wrote about the atrocities of ISIS. It has come as a surprise that people are eerily silent about the murder of George Floyd, although, after a while, protests has erupted around the world against racism.

Alas, Derek and countless other heartless cops in the US are terrorists protected by the state. The US President has threatened to kill looters but killers like Derek would not have been arrested without worldwide protest. Killer cops like Derek Chauvin are degenerates, racist and divisive.

I grew up in a picturesque little town in Nigeria watching American films, Hollywood portrayed the US country as a land of the free, where everyone is the same, and actors fight for peace. However, that was just Hollywood. Minnesota cop, Derek Chauvin committed murder with people filming while bystanders pleaded, George Floyd also pleaded for mercy. That scene was not from a wild western flick, and yet, the cop was only arrested after an outcry and worldwide protest.

There are so many terrorists like that in the US, terrorising the lives of African Americans. Killing them with impunity, and if prosecuted, Jury always find them doing their job.

I am black British, not American but I have to speak out against this seemingly calm terrorist while the President was also inciting more violence? Looting is wrong, but you don’t encourage more racists to start shooting and killing, and then it becomes an orgy of violence. There’s something called ’dialogue’ even kids do it.

I am very sad for George Floyd, the US has lost the last shred of respect I had for it as a democratic country where the lives of anyone with a darker skin tone is in danger, from an erratic and unstable government to devilish, racist citizens to people who found this difficult to talk about. 

Derek Chauvin and other terror cops that has killed so many innocent black people are inhuman, but the brilliant thing about civilisation is this; change is constant.

 

Our Scorned, Scorched Planet!

 (Photo Credit: Flickr)

Scientists have now issued a warning that in a couple of decades, some parts of our planet may become uninhabitable. I beg to differ, some parts of our world are already uninhabitable. Our patched, long-suffering planet has endured human’s degradations for millennia; we don’t care about our world; we hate each other and are so quick to point out our differences, perhaps I am doing the same thing, but this article is meant to be constructive.

I don’t mean for this article to pander to any group of people but everyone. Recently, I watched a film titled, ‘Knowing’ and it’s about our world being destroyed by a massive solar flare which inevitably made the earth uninhabitable and in a creepy twist of fate, scientists are echoing the same thoughts. They are not predicting a solar flare will obliterate our world as we know it, they are warning us about climate change, but what they aren’t telling us to change is our attitude to everything on this planet.

 (Photo credit: Google)

Humanity has descended so low that everything is about race and religion, and this is so sad. I wanted to write an article about love, bravery, and selflessness but I am finding it increasingly difficult to do so. A young boy lost his life in a house fire today in South East London, and yet on Yahoo, people were commenting on the colour of his skin and his parents’ race? It’s unbelievably sad.

There’s an increase in knife crime among black youths in London, and when a young life is lost, people hardly care, and that same attitude is unequivocally linked to our lack of empathy. We have grouped ourselves into white/black Muslim/Christian Catholic/Protestants etcetera. And it’s the same around the world, we have created this sick, twisted ideology we’re better than the next person if we belong to a particular race or religion.

There’s divisive politics, people hate with their eyes but smile with their teeth. We are so petty and care only for ourselves. We satisfy our cravings for depravities in the most deplorable fashion possible it’s laughable.

I am keen to see a time when we would truly love one another with no inhibitions. Sadly, it’s a human condition, we are suspicious and find it difficult to relate to people who don’t look or think like us. However, there is that basic instinct that connects us all, our DNA. It differentiates us from animals, the ability to think, feel and vocalise our emotions through words. Maybe animals love and feel (I’m not an expert on that) but not on our level, and I suppose the ability to express our feelings should make us a better entity. We should be able to take care of our environment and the people around us.

I am an optimist, but just as our earth is groaning under the burden of our selfishness and nonchalant attitude toward climate change, maybe, we will finally be able to do something together and eschew our petty differences.

Climate change is real!

The Demons Among Us

Yesterday afternoon in my office at MoD, I was unduly worried about mundane official deadlines and paperwork when the afternoon was shattered with the security announcement of an on-going terrorist attack. Every single building in Whitehall was placed on lockdown as news filtered in slowly of death and carnage on Westminster bridge.

We were in a state of shock at the enormity of the attack, the barbaric atrocities unleashed on innocent tourists and a police officer performing his duty infuriates me. The devilish perpetrator also ploughed into pedestrians on the bridge killing scores of people and wounding almost 29 people.

Today, I am proud to write that London is not on lockdown but sadness still pervades the atmosphere as we slowly came to terms with the callous attack at the heart of our nation. My condolences to the families and friends of PC Keith Palmer, mother of two, Aysha Frade, and an American tourist, Kurt Cochran.

Terrorists are the demons among us, and I pray their evil plans would continually be thwarted. My appreciation to the armed police officers who swiftly put an end to Khalid Masood’s murderous campaign.

I echo these brave words: We Are Not Afraid! London is a city that thrives against all odds, and we shall stand strong in spite of agents of destruction and division.

Much love to you my friends wherever you are in the world, and please, stay safe!

In Search Of Innocence

John Revisted (part 1)

I first heard the news on TV, that a  3-year-old boy had disappeared at Edinburg overnight, (this was a few days ago) my heart was in my mouth and when the police revealed that they weren’t looking for little Mikaeel Kular anymore, my heart sank. (To some, this is stale news but I couldn’t get the face of the boy from my mind) I’m the kind of woman who believes in the impossible, miraculous acts that usually astound and even confound the most obstinate heart. However, the story of this little, innocent boy hit me hard.

You may wonder why, I am not in any way related to the Kulars, but I am a mother, who had experienced the loss of a child, although not in that way. You may read of my true story here: https://seyisandradavid.org/2012/11/14/death-and-the-angels-of-mercy/

The most disturbing aspect of the story, is this,  the mother seems to be the major suspect, I don’t want to delve too much into the story of the mother or what propelled her into such an atrocious act but of that innocent boy. Someone once commented that people shouldn’t be taken on facial values (whatever that means!) and that no one should be trusted, in a way, the commenter could be right. We live in a very dangerous world but I am forever an optimist, and would remain so, even in the face of outright evil. Mikaeel must have loved his family, but something went wrong and now he is no more. Whatever the circumstances of his passing, I believe he’s at peace now, safe from harm.

I only hope we live in a world where the innocent would not pay for the sins of the wicked and like Louis Armstrong’s song, we do live in a wonderful world minus the murderers, perverts and the indescribable.  Although our world is often tainted by evil, we can do our bit to make it a better place, by being our brother’s keeper – watching out for others in our own little way… endlessly searching for the innocent… helping the homeless, like the man in the picture… That way, the innocents would be safe from the onslaught of wicked people!

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Now,  on to more uplifting news. An online magazine, upcoming4me.com, recently published an article I wrote chronicling the story behind my new book ‘Cydonia,’ you would find the article here: http://upcoming4.me/news/book-news/story-behind-cydonia-by-seyi-david and my publisher, arrowgatepublishing.com also carried the same story here:

http://arrowgatepublishing.com/2014/01/10/story-behind-cydonia-by-seyi-david/

agp-sd-c-cover-spread

My book trailer would be out soon, and the eBook, the iBook, Kobo and other ereading devices would release ‘Cydonia’ in the coming weeks. However, if you prefer to read ‘real’ physical book, you can click on my sidebar and it would take you to the right place to buy it or better still, click on these links:

Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Cydonia-Rise-fallen-Seyi-David/dp/0957593031/ref=sr_1_cc_1?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1390301384&sr=1-1-catcorr&keywords=cydonia%3A+rise+of+the+fallen

Amazon US : http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_0_17?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=cydonia+rise+of+the+fallen&sprefix=Cydonia%3A+Rise+of+%2Caps%2C241&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Acydonia+rise+of+the+fallen

Waterstones:

http://www.waterstones.com/waterstonesweb/products/seyi+david/cydonia/10190216/

Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/Cydonia–rise-of-the-fallen–seyi-david?keyword=Cydonia%3A+rise+of+the+fallen%2C+seyi+david&store=book

Book Depository: http://www.bookdepository.co.uk/Cydonia-Seyi-David/9780957593039

Abe Books: http://www.abebooks.co.uk/servlet/SearchResults?kn=Cydonia%3A+Rise+of+the+fallen%2C+seyi+david&sts=t&x=50&y=8

Hive.co.uk: http://www.hive.co.uk/search/cydonia%3A+rise+of+the+fallen/mediatype/all/

I reckon this should do for now, you can buy ‘Cydonia’ from all fine bookshops world-wide. I don’t like long posts but I believe a bit of self promotion wouldn’t do any harm. 🙂 I hope you’ll all enjoy the rest of this week, wherever you are in the world!

Much love, always! 🙂

The Absurdity Of Life

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I’ve been scarce on my website and it wasn’t by choice. My internet connection has been horrendous, I’ve called Sky (my broadband provider)and they didn’t really have much explanation for it. As a working mother, (I work till I drop after putting the kids to bed) I bring a lot of work home, so it’s quiet frustrating.

But let’s leave my internet woes aside. Yesterday I watched in wonder as three sets of paintings by Francis Bacon ( a British artist) was sold for a whopping record of $142 million dollars, I swear! (You can Google it if you don’t believe me)

The painting was bought by an anonymous buyer. In my world, even if I were a Billionaire, I don’t think I’ll have the courage to fork out that kind of money. Look at what the money would do to people in the Philippines, and others in the world!

However, you may rightly argue – ‘Seyi it’s none of your flipping business, the buyer loves the paintings, he bought it, what’s your problem with that!’

And I’ll tell you what my problem is.

Sometimes ago, I wrote on this space that I hardly watch TV anymore. That’s correct, but when that ‘Haiyan Monster’ hit the Philippines, I couldn’t ignore the scale of human suffering (thousands of people passed away)  and I stayed glued to the TV.

My problem is the absurdity of life itself. When some have in abundance and others eat nothing… when some people were crying for water, food and shelter – while some were spending millions on frivolities. Well, that’s the way life is…

Now enough of my moaning. I really have great news, today, I took a sneak  peek on the cover of new book. My publisher is gracious enough to send me a preview and I love what I saw. Hopefully, if my erratic, eccentric internet connection with a life of its own permits, ( quiet a lot of words there) I’ll unveil the cover for all to see, and there would be some promos too, with my publisher, Arrow Gate.

The week is almost over, and I hope you’ve had a great time, mine has… nah, let me stop. I really miss you guys, and I hope as the weekend inch closer, you’ve had a cause to put a smile on someone’s face. I’ll leave you friends with this quote from Og Mandino,

”Treat everyone you meet as if they were going to be dead by midnight. Extend all the care, kindness and understanding you can, with no thought of reward, and your life will never be the same.”

NP: Please bear with me if I’ve not visited your blog in a while, I’ll do so as ‘SKY’ permits, that is, if this post goes live. (it might not! 😦

Enjoy the rest of the week and have a fantastic weekend.

Much love, always. 🙂

A Loud, Noisy World…

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(Photo credit: Flickr)

A loud, noisy world.

Cacophony of sounds

reverberated everywhere.

Hatred danced openly,

while love is in remission.

Wars and rumours

of war danced freely on our streets.

Toddlers were afraid to chuckle.

A little peace, a little love

We Plead.

But instead

We got

Bullet wounds.

Snipers.

Terrorists.

And paedophiles,

Roamed freely.

A loud, Noisy World.

I hope for peace

and pray for love.

Elusive as it is…

I won’t give up!

It seems killings, deaths, wars has become a bit of a pastime in the world now, Kenya‘s mall killings, Pakistani Christians (women and children murdered), the naval base killings in the U.S, Syria‘s on going war, turmoil in Egypt, Philippine‘s rebels. The list is endless. My daughter asked me yesterday, ‘mum, why can’t we have peace in the world?’ I had no answer to her question. She’s just seven, yet, I can’t shield her from the cruelty of our world. The noise is a constant ringing sound… but you know me, I’m a diehard optimist – I still believe we can live in peace, we just need to start acting it. Like that picture, I hopefully long for peace and quietness in our world…

I pray you’ll all have a peaceful week, and please keep safe!

Much love, always!

🙂

Sitting On The Fence!

Power Lines

(Photo Credit: Andrea Krappweis)

I really want to make this a short post, but I guess I’ll just flow with the current. I’ve read and watched with a growing amount of apprehension at the recent UN decision to lift the arms embargo in Syria… I know – some of you might scoff or even snigger, what’s Syria got to do with me? But please, just read on.

Syria is comfortably in the Middle East, faraway from your suburban street with well laid lawns and ripening flowers in their blooms. You watched your kids get on the school bus, (or you take them) like I do every blessed morning but Syria can really come to our doorstep to hunt us.

Remember world war 2? Most of you don’t, I wasn’t even born then. Okay, let me bring things closer, what about Afghanistan? Osama Bin Laden? Yeah, at least that should jolt your memory. What about the Soviet Union and their infamous treaty with Hitler? And Hitler is not one to keep to little flimsy deals, he didn’t and he still invaded the Soviets, millions lost their lives. Well, Soviet Union has not learnt its (her? he?) lessons! The Soviets are still supporting Assad’s bloody campaign, with Iran!

What am I driving at, you may wonder. People are dying daily in Syria, blood is literally flowing on the streets unhindered, and to make matters worse, UN has lifted the arms embargo, and Britain and France would be sending arms to rebels. I even saw John McCain ( he lost the Presidential race against President Obama) in the papers grinning with some of the rebels.

Some people believed CIA had a lot do with Osama Bin Laden, check this article here; http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/24198

I don’t care because the guy is dead, but if the report is true, won’t the same thing happen in Syria? If the rebels eventually overthrow Bashar Assad, won’t the rebels turn against the West, like Osama did and then we’ll be talking about another wave of terrorism? The Middle East is considered a volatile region, war is not pretty, thousands are dying daily, sending arms to a fragmented country on the brink of collapse is just going to make things bad.

There’s little or nothing I can do but write, after all, some said ‘the pen is mightier than the sword,’ (or the nukes) as the case may be. I’m not sitting on the fence, I’ve said my piece. I just pray and hope that one day, we’ll see an end to all wars, suffering, hunger, hatred, bitterness…

Do you notice the gathering clouds in that picture? It’s a huge contrast to the power lines and beautiful landscape. I hope Syria would not blight our lives, I pray they (international community) would find a solution to end the blood shed soon, but not arming the rebels. It’s not a comfortable thought! Fighting violence with violence can only result in more casualties!

I hope this beautiful world of ours will not drench herself in the blood of the innocent.

Much love friends, and thanks for reading this post!

”I Am Here…”

English: A Syrian soldier aims an AK-47 assaul...

English: A Syrian soldier aims an AK-47 assault rifle from his position in a foxhole during a firepower demonstration, part of Operation Desert Shield. The soldier is wearing a Soviet-made Model ShMS nuclear-biological-chemical warfare masks. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

 

Hamza ran blindly through the haze and dust, the only thought on his mind was the safety of his daughter. He had given up hope of ever finding his wife again but little Shafilea cannot save herself. He stopped briefly, turned, and saw the tank inching closer, the sound emanating from the massive weapon of destruction was akin to Leviathan, the indestructible beast of the sea.

Then there was a cry, he was now faced with a choice to either go back and face possible death or escape with his life. He chose his daughter. He went through the cloud of dust as cacophony of gunfire erupted from every side. Rebels and government forces were battling it out on the street of Aleppo and he was caught in the middle.

Aleppo was now like a  game of chess played by an obstinate ruler determined to crush every fledgling hope left for his people. He had vowed to trample on his own people like dust.

”Papa!” the voice of his three-year old daughter rang out shrilly from the rubble of their former home.

Hamza ran towards the sound and every step he took was a gamble, bullets whistled past his head but he kept on. Shortly before he got to her, there was a massive explosion which threw him about ten feet away. He landed with a hollow thud to the harsh ground soaked with blood of the innocent. Immediately, he stood up to his feet, his only mission, if it would be his last was to save his daughter.

Hamza’s face was blackened with blood and dust, his left eye was partially blind, but he trudged on. Miraculously, the sound of war ceased, he was blissfully unaware of it all. He had been shell-shocked by the sound of the blast and could not have heard a pin dropped.

He got to his house and with his bare hands, began to dig; tears rolled down his one good eye. One rebel saw it all and dropped his AK 47 assault rifle and joined him in the digging. Government soldiers’ also spotted the bold man whose only mission in life at that point was the safety of his beloved daughter and they stopped shooting as every pair of eyes focused on Hamza

”I am here,” he kept saying repeatedly, until they finally pulled his daughter out.

”Papa,” Shafilea rushed towards the badly wounded one-eyed man covered in blood and wept on his shoulder…

 

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Russia is the only country openly supporting the Syrian government while innocent people die daily. This short story is a tip of the iceberg, however,  I just want to force hope out of a  very disturbing situation. I’m writing this in the relative safety of my London home but I know several others are not so fortunate…

Thanks for reading my post.