Radiant's blog

I was young  but  not  naive as   heads  flew and blood spilled and   fear  grew; Onitsha    was  a terror zone One day as  we were riding  back home from  school,       mummy driving, me on the back  seat with my siblings, we were  caught in traffic and we saw their  vehicle. They were carrying weapons,  knives, red scarves. I think one was lifting a head over his head. Blood drained down his  chest. We drove past and I gasped at something  that looked like a doll's head lying lifeless on the  black tarmac. It was human and it was already  white. Some said they saw the arms and  legs lying somewhere. It was terrible, terrifying. They said they were  cleaning out the streets Robbers were in for it Everyone that had ever  stolen meat from a pot was  sorry. Only saints plied the road Guilty ones disappeared to  other  states. Onitsha was now 'safer' than  ever but terror was palpable. A few  families bore the grief for loved  ones beheaded in cold  blood. One day we  heard …

Here I am
loafing away
like a king
on the roof
petting his senses on a leafless Eve's navel
when princes
have gone to battle 

I do no evil
though, but idleness is evil
I can't be there
'cause I have to work
But now I stare
at an empty chair
with no one to clerk
Ward coat
and steth'scope
taking coffee

My crew's performing
I'm here sulking,
angry at my joblessness
and restlessness
Even the rain is at work
catering, cleaning, making music
I sprawl on my table
like one that's lost a gamble

This is solitary confinement,
lockdown, detainment
Who knew today'd be like this?
So sickness takes public holidays

They go on stage
while I'm in this cage
The world applauds
I bow and nod

Who is taking my role? who's
replaced my character?
I need a counsellor, there's
war within my soul
Should I leave this slumbering shark
to go nurse a snapping shrimp?
To be or not to be
That is the question

©Radiant~July 2015

If you were there on May 29, 2015 at the Covenant Place, Iganmu, Lagos, you can attest to the fact that it was a remarkable performance.

Due to popular demand, Snapshots is back again to stage the play but now retitled 'Nigeria @2060, back from the future'. This one is going to be a super-duper multi-media production. There are additional scenes and change of casts. So you don't want to miss it.
Be there today @the Covenant Place Iganmu (beside national theatre), by Costain bus stop, Lagos. Red carpet and fashion show-3pm. Curtains are drawn at 4. 
Here are pics from the last production:
Nigeria @2060. The science lab, where the time machine was built. Two scientists at work
The three Nigerians from the past At the first congress. The president of Nigeria at 2060 sitting at the centre with 2 bodyguards behind her, the Nigerians from the past(21st century) at the right with their guide behind them, the senators and the SAN by the left hand corner. Things began to fall apart under …

Femme
Kill me before I die
Thrust your arrow into my heart
What's more, your love is like poison

Homme
I never asked you to drink it

Femme
O yes you did
You mixed it thoroughly,
served it in a crystal goblet
I watched as you flaunted its rubied fashion,
calling me to share its majestic splendour
and I couldn't refuse

Homme
But I never asked you to drink it

Femme
Why did you brandish it before my eyes
and watch me guzzle before I could think twice?
I floated on the clouds and smelled peace
You didn't lift a finger to rescue me

Homme
Why should one be rescued from peace?

Femme
You arrogant beast!
Surely, you knew what you were doing
Now my wings are broken and I've fallen from the sky
My eyes are open, my guts stolen, my clock's ticking
Kill me before I die
Your hate may do me good

©Radiant 2015

I've always had a theory about relationships. I don't know how it got ingrained in me since I was a teenager. Not that I had any experience but I just had it in me that whoever I'd marry would be from my circle of friends, not necessarily the ones at that moment. I rejected the idea of arranged marriages or recommendations. I just didn't see how true friendship could be birthed when both parties already knew the other's expectation of them. My belief was that I'd be friends with someone I must have met in a forum of common goal, maybe church group, class, workplace, or something, just a gathering close enough for me to have observed his character around people so that when he approaches me, I already know if he is the type I'd even consider. There are people that I know it's a no-no just by interacting with them or watching how they relate with others. Well, I might have modified that theory with experience over the years, but the basic principle remain…