CHRIST FIRST!

Don’t say “Yes Lord”
When your actions say “No”
Don’t live to please the flesh
Above the ONE who says “me first!”

Go to the scriptures and learn from King Saul
A man anointed by God but lived to please his subjects first

God was put in second place
For he chose to please his people above His God

He lost not only his crown but also his throne
His honour and his life all gone in a flash

For Jesus said “No man can serve two masters
He will love one and hate the other
Therefore let no one or thing compete with God
Or take His place in our hearts
Turn it to prayer right now

  • Olufunke Ajegbomogun
    © 2025

Consonance

I dream of a day when my smile won’t be an illusion,
A day where there’s an alignment between my emotions
And the carvings they make on my face,
A day where my mind bears the fruits of joy and happiness,
A day when my soul isn’t a carcass infested by fear,
A day where my heart isn’t a timed bomb waiting to explode,
A day where my spine isn’t grabbed by anxiety,
A day when my scars aren’t just painful memories but wise lessons,
A day when my healing is the path for someone’s healing,
A day where the palpitations in my heart are from good news

So, while I wait for my dreams to hatch
Into a reality I can feel in my palms, I’ll wear this smile,
A smile that’s not the disposition of my heart
A smile to cloak the tremors of my mind,
I won’t lose sight of the hope I have in my Master’s Touch,
The touch that stopped the bleeding of 12 years,
That moulded new pairs of eyes for the blind
That will bring me to the day when my smile is not an illusion
But till then, I’ll sit here, deeply rooted in HIS word.

  • Olaoye Adeleye Emmanuel
    ©2025

The Lover’s Recipe

While everyone around the world was basking in the euphoria of the acclaimed love day (Valentine’s Day), Penspeak Community UNIZIK got busy with their pens and spent the day reliving the nostalgia of God’s love.

The floor was thrown up and Delight blew us away with this piece;

 WHOSE ORDERS?

That a tiny acorn will make a mighty forest 
Wasn’t the loamy soil’s words to utter.
Dear child…I speak in voices as ancient as before.
I gave you gifts not like anyone else’s 
But you chose to be photographed through distorted lenses.
You followed rules written by hands you will never shake
Then ending at crossroads, you asked me “Lord what’s your take?
Those rules were written by hand…
Funny how you are ignorant to the power embedded in yours
You obeyed the “rites” discarding the “rights”
What a perfect mismatch you are!!
You were told to silence your own voice for the sake of the loud…
The loud voice said “conform” but in your heart you felt torn.
Torn between the needs of your soul and the rule you have been sold.
Is it freedom you seek or a cage in gold?
Bound by lines drawn by a mentally distorted ruler’s ruler
They said “follow” and you never asked why
You were wheedled to be fine with “just fine”.
They raised you to be small but your heart beats loud…louder than their expectations.
Dear child…if you would… listen.
The elders might call this rebellion 
But I call it my divine intention 
Your dreams and desires are my design
Your handwritten lifeline, mine to sign
Your steps are earthquakes in their shallow puddles
You are to build bridges where they said walls stood
You are not a footnote in their stories.
You are the headline yet they don’t want to see your headlines.
Prior to forming you, I knew thee.
I know your deepest sleep even your purest glee 
So, whose orders if not mine?

Mc Wisdom came in right after and dropped this;

GOOD FOOD

Just can’t wait until it gets to the plate
Aromas that dance, through a culinary state
Tenderly cooked, with love and with care
Each bite a story, beyond compare

The cutting, slicing, sizzling, crackling, mixing,
 a continuous process that lives you wanting and yawning 

Oh, the joy of good food, that brings us together
A universal love language,
The norming around the dinner table 
The joy and laughter that’s uncontrollable, that transcends this weather, and leaves you warm.

A taste of nostalgia, a hint of home.
Good food that nourishes the body and soul,
Makes you forget your problem for a moment, leaving you whole.

So, here’s to the chefs, the cooks, and the bakers
The farmers, the fishermen, and the food makers
My mom, dad, siblings, friends, family 
Thank you for the feast, for the flavours and the fun
Good food that brings us to the table, as one.

With the floor and curtains intact, Delight waltz in with so much inspiration and gave us;

HOSEA 2🥰

I was once yours, you were once mine.
But in the shadows, you slipped away,  
Chasing after lovers who didn’t care,  
Trading true love for a false comfort,  
An affair with idols, a broken vow in the temple of desire.  
You left me but every step you took, I felt it,  
Every kiss you gave, I tasted it.  
Your heart wandered, but mine stayed rooted,  
Waiting, holding on,  
Gripping the promise of what was.

But love is not blind– it sees the truth,  
And the truth cuts deep.
So, hear me now:  

I will no longer cover your shame,  
I will no longer veil your mistakes, for you’ve turned your back, 
And I must speak of the consequences.  
The gates will close, the blessings will fade,  
Your fields will wither, and your heart will ache,  
As the world you built crumbles beneath your feet.  
But in this silence, in this solitude,  
You’ll hear my voice again and I won’t leave you there,  

For even in the wilderness,  
I am here, I will allure you,  
I will call your name and I will take you back,  
Not as a servant, but as my bride.  
I’ll speak comfort to your broken heart,  
Restore the years you’ve lost to wandering,  
Your valley of despair will become a place of hope,  
Your shame will be washed clean,  
And the shame you once wore,  
Will be replaced with a crown of righteousness.  
I will lead you to a new covenant, A promise of peace,  
Where love reigns.
Where mercy is poured like rain on dry ground,  
Where my faithfulness holds you close. I will be your God,  
And you will be my people,  
And together, we’ll make all things new.  
The name you once wore,  
The name of betrayal,
Will be changed.  
You will be called “My Delight,”  
And I will call you “My Beloved.”  

Forever,  
And nothing will ever tear us apart again.

What a love! What a God! See you next month for another freestyle!

Authors
MC WISDOM
DELIGHT SHEKELS

A tale of compassion and faith

Penspeak Communities across Nigeria have recently taken up Freestyle Fridays hosted by The Godzniel. This is a collection of poems from Penspeak Community UNEC freestyles in January 2025.

From the watchtower, Iruoma cried out:

I am compassion, a gentle breeze
That calms a raging soul and quiets pain to freeze
I run in obscurity, yet understanding I seek
To heal a silent wound that mouth can’t utter

Like flower that blooms in desert oasis
So am I, a savour taste to the broken soul
I’m a badge of mercy, worn by one who’s torn
An irresistible gentle word, that calms a storm

I see beyond the fist, the anger and pain
And serve a feast of kindness, to wash the heart’s deep stain
I’m a dose of hope, that keeps each day aglow
A beacon of light, in the darkest place I go

I am compassion, I offer listening ears
Pay attention and owe no debt to negligence
I am the greatest gift to humanity
The loudest voice of love
I walk enduring miles
Leaving trails of smiles

Taking the wheel again, Iruoma launched:

With heart swift and low on  paths unknown
I plead to listen to the quiet whisper, that binds me whole
With convictions strong on choices made

I plead to heed the persistent voice of truth
With barns so enriched, and yards full of glittering gold
I pray to harvest, with mind full of sight

To sift grain from chaff, and separate truth from false
And with each step to embark, a journey of uncertainty
I pledge to trust the gentle guide

For He’s the spirit of the divine, with mysteries to unveil
He grants a sense of immortality, in the stillness, a peaceful knowing of secrets untold.
And moments to disobey in doubt, are times to will in regret

Not wanting the momentum to die out, Neche Goodnews took the baton on the relay:

 “Wish upon a shooting star and make your wish come true”
Senior said to me as we stared at the night sky
“So, make the wish”, he said to me as I was beholding the awe of the star littered sky
I close my eyes and make my wish and open my eyes into the present
A decade had gone by but I still reminisce the days gone by
I fasten up my tie while facing the mirror

What a decade it has been
Peril and strife fought their way into my world but I persevered
The psychological breaks and lapses chipped away at my very soul but I didn’t derange
As I go towards my bag, a thought enters my mind and a smile is found on my face
“Your wish is profound and pure, its impact, ground shaking, all I might not see it actualised but I can behold its potential”
Senior said to me, that was one of our last conversations
“It’s no time to slack, the world will soon be in awe”
I say as I take my bag and leave my place

People see the outcome of reality
I behold a future of possibilities
My wish would ensure that
Until then, I carry on

See you next month!

Authors:
Iruoma
Neche Goodnews

God or Yourself?

Who told a lie
God or yourself,
You’ve been told
You could fly

If your heart masters
The art,
To be still and just
Fly.

Who told a lie
God or yourself,
Since your wings
Soar not

And your head
Lift not,
Who told a lie
God or yourself
For the mountains that
Move not,
And the storms that cease not
For the wealth foretold

And the beautiful future
Unseen,
For the health promised and
And the peace assured
For every promises
Unfulfilled,
And every delay suffered
SUE YOUR UNBELIEF. 

Ebubechi
© 2024

Submission

Children are known for plays
Errors and cravings for ice creams.
They love the Father
And He loves them too.

But in this kingdom
Sons submit all cravings
To the eternal will of the Father.
They approach Zion
Bowed in reverence.

Children are looked after
But sons bear responsibilities
The Father loves all
But the Sons knows His heart.

Ugwu David C.
©2023

Pray Now

Theory is good
Analysis helpful
But none can save you
Except praying on your knees.

God is not moved
By our carnal understanding
He lives above the heavens
He abides in His Presence.

The fourth dimension
Is only moved by faith
Get on your knees now
Humble your heart
And pray now.

Ugwu David C.
©2023

IT IS NO LONGER I…BUT CHRIST




Even though I was relegated
A high transfer fee was paid
To bring me into this new club


Christ celestial club
THE KINGDOM OF GOD.
A new heart and new spirit is given me

I love this Jersey, I love it here
The seasons are blissful forever.
Thank God it is no longer I
But Christ who purchased me.



Ugwu David C
©2023