My Review of Carson's Silent Spring

Silent Spring by Rachel Carson. (Published 1962 Mariner Books)

I was attracted to Silent Spring mostly because of the title. Springs should be free and flowing, not dry and silent. I wanted to know what stilled their flow and silenced their voices. I knew from the very first page, I was holding a significant book; that the author had something important to say. Silent Spring is a powerful book. It was intensely written, and I could hear Rachael Carson's clear and confident voice through the pages. The information, situations and warnings were all adequately laid out. In the end, I knew I made an excellent choice.

Rachael Carson makes it clear through this book, that we live in a beautiful world, but that man could, through his actions, intentionally or not, destroy this beauty. Nature is ours to preserve and no part of it should be cut out without good cause. The thesis is that we (mankind, the environment and other animals) are all part of the web of life and the role of man as custodian should be to uphold and balance, not to intimidate and wipe out. Carson's intention is obvious: to alert the public about the dangers of chemicals, especially pesticides; to inform industries they are subjugating the environment to poisoning by manufacturing dangerous chemicals and misusing them; to educate policy makers on their obligations; and to discuss who makes decisions for the human race. The book is divided into 17 chapters with expressive titles and in each she gives stories of trembling birds and dying cattle, and chemicals with potential to harm. In the first chapter, which to me is the most striking, she gives an imaginary circumstance of a beautiful and serene countryside destroyed after a strange blight crawls upon them, and everything dies. She goes on to explain that the damage was caused by the people themselves and that the imagined tragedy could easily become real.

In other chapters, she brings into analysis the terrors of war that man has undertaken against himself and the environment. She explains how pesticides, even though they are designed to protect, could be very harmful; to the environment, to plants, animals and even to humans. She describes how these chemicals could have long-term effects yet unknown to science. She talks about the passage of chemicals through underground streams and the food chain, to kill vegetation and sicken herds of animals. Not only do these pesticides kill insects, they affect other animals, not just the ones targeted because they have the power to still life. Even worse, they linger in the soil for years. She suggests they be called biocides, not insecticides, because of the danger they cause to all life forms. She talks about the manufacture and release of the pesticide DDT and how it caused an escalation process, how companies strive to discover more toxic materials after the last discovery and how these spraying processes could be caught up in an endless coil of poisons. She further states that it is wrong and even surprising that man would seek to destroy the environment and put his own species in danger.

Carson tells what happens to the ecosystem when you try to eradicate one pest species with DDT, of course the ecosystem is more important than one species of insects. The chemicals change the ecology and there are not many investigations about them. What makes it even more dangerous is that their entire effects are unknown. She further states these synthetic pesticides have been so thoroughly distributed that they occur virtually everywhere, and this is generally because their residues remain. She talked about the industry that produced these chemicals. On Page 16, Carson refers to the industry as a child of the second world war because as chemical warfare agents were developed, many were found to be potent insecticides. Furthermore, Carson talks about water being the most valuable of natural resources but ironically, most of the abundant water is not usable for agricultural or human consumption so parts of the world still experience water shortages. Sadly, chemical sprays applied to cities affect water and these waters have become contaminated. On page 41, she describes how a sample of water from an orchard area in Pennsylvania was tested on fish in a lab and the water killed all the fish in only 4 hours. She explains that in nature nothing exists alone and as man depends on all of nature, his attitude towards it should be protective, not destructive.

 In "Needless Havoc", she illustrates how dangerous spray guns are, and how wildlife can be destroyed with just a single spray. She gives instances where spray guns were used, and citizens reported afterwards that animals were dying. In the Michigan spraying, Aldrin was used, and citizens were reassured that the spraying was safe but birds were killed and dogs and cats were sickened, leading to a widening wave of calamities.  Carson laments that these insecticides are not selective, they do not single out the one species desired to be rid. Using spray guns is like raining down poisons upon land. She raises the question of who has the right to decide for others, who made the decision that sets in motion the chains of poisoning. In "Rivers of Death", she talks about the waters. She says that pesticides contained in runoffs from farms and forests get carried to the sea or many rivers causing death of fishes. Fishing is a major source of recreation and denying people of this sport by contaminating the fishes will affect their interests. From California to Louisiana, fishes have been killed in numbers.  She tells how these chemicals lodge in the fatty tissues of the body because storage of chlorinated hydrocarbons begins with the smallest intake.

In the ending chapter, Carson presents possible and welcome alternatives to use of pesticides. She suggests the use of the least dangerous agricultural chemicals like pyrethrins and rotenones so that hazards from chemical misuse would be reduced. She mentions the use of non-chemical methods, of which more extended tests are being carried out. Also, biological controls and destroying only targeted species to spare the ecosystem unintended deaths. She gives the methods and benefits of the new approaches. It is clear from the book, especially the last chapter, that Carson is not against insect control, she only emphasizes what is wrong in the methods being used. She suggests research, policies and investigations on these chemicals because they are poisonous and states that citizens should be secure against all forms of harm. And I agree with her on every level.

Silent Spring is so poetic and absorbing. It was well written with a famous opening chapter. Carson's choice of verbs is superb. It's nearly impossible not to be moved or enthralled by the book when you are drawn in from the first chapter. Her words flow beautifully, the situations and examples are well presented. She has a way of making you picture the situations that leaves you wondering if she has a degree in creative writing. She lays out her argument with magnetic certainty that convinces you of their authenticity. She gives clear explanations of scientific terms and adverse consequences of chemicals, she gives structures too. She gives case studies and real-life examples of how pesticides affect negatively and how they kill other forms of life. The book explains in detail what has silenced the voices of birds. It is crammed with scientific data and complete with references. At the back of the book, she gives a comprehensive list of her sources.

Carson writes with an intense ardor towards defending nature and she did defend nature. The introduction of the book, written by Linda Lear, gives an insight into her early life, her career and her passion for the environment. It is even more endearing to know that she battled cancer while writing the book. The book illustrates that humans are not separated from nature but connected to the earth and environment. It is not surprising that her argument made an impact, that most of the chemicals were banned and people became aware and alert. Even though Carson dies 18 months after the book is published, it is gratifying to know that the book attained the purpose for which it was written. Mankind is consoled.

However, the book is aged. Fifty-one years is a long time, a lifetime. Not many people would want to read a book written decades before their birth, and some could see it as out-of-date. Many of the pesticides Carson talked about have either been banned or stopped from domestic production. Most of the research she talked about as being undertaken has been completed. Carson comes on too strong with the ills of pesticides in the early chapters of the book, which can drive the reader to fury and horror. Fury against the persons who invented these chemicals or use them and horror that the earth is doomed to destruction. She waits till the last chapter to introduce the other road, the alternatives to use of insecticides. There is also a lot of repetition in the book, almost every chapter begins the same way, with Carson lyrically bemoaning lifeless streams and withered vegetation. In a way, that strategy made the book more striking.

If truth be told, Silent Spring is still as important as it was 51 years ago. It's insightful and educating. I found it interesting, captivating and definitely worth reading. It should be read by all environmentalists, by all public health professionals, by all scientists, policy makers and everyone who cares about the environment. Individuals should read it to know the right they have to be secure against poisons applied by other persons, to know that we deserve not to be poisoned. The government should read it to know that through ignorance or negligence, poisons could fall arbitrarily into the hands of the wrong persons. They should read it because it makes a great read. More than that, it was well crafted and fearless. It remains one of the most important books of the 20th century. Through its facts, it changed the way people viewed the environment and it is still relevant in the world today. The book is listed for $11 on Amazon. It was worth my money and my time. And would remain on my shelf for ages.

[Haha, found this from years back. Making the switch from creative to scientific writing has been a journey. But that is story for another day. Enjoy!]

Journal 1 - Musings from a public health class!

Week 1. 8/21/2013.

It's Our Environment.
Today is my first day in Environmental Health class and I am thrilled to be a part of this class. I'm also delighted to be in this diverse environment of different accents, backgrounds and ideas. We look different, we speak different, but we have similar goals and I think this is a complete set and we would make a great class. Though my concentration is Epidemiology, this class is equally important to me because we live in the environment and the wellbeing of our surroundings influence our wellbeing and is a reflection of our ability to care for nature, and to be effective and efficient about it. It is amazing how all Public health concentrations are inter-related, like a web of thrones, it's like saying we all need each other, and we really do, so tomorrow we wouldn't have self-important Professionals competing for which is the most relevant concentration, while it is more essential to collaborate and achieve more together.
The Letter of Introduction was the first assignment and I think that was a great idea. It was like pouring out a part of my life and dreams and sharing with everybody, but only Dr. F got to see it. I think it would have been good for everyone to have access to everyone's letter, so we can get to know each other better. This semester, I will be reading Silent Spring. I look forward to reading Rachael Carson's remarkable green book.



Week 2. 28/8/2013

Peace to the Modern World.
Sarin Nerve Gas is being used in the war in Syria. I think it's so wrong that such hazardous gas is being released on humans. It's bad enough that many people are being massacred daily but using chemical weapons in war is murderous and sad. It doesn't matter to me who used the gas, the rebels or Assad's government, because propaganda sometimes stands above truth in journalism and we may never know what report is truth. We know nevertheless, the effects of Sarin and should avoid and control it if we can. There are policies in place, but Syria didn't sign the Chemical Weapons Convention. However, it is interesting too, that this toxic Sarin was originally developed and used as a pesticide. I have never witnessed a war and wouldn't ever want to. Even the thought of ongoing wars in some parts of the world shocks me. Sitting in class and talking about this, Syria seems too far away but it really isn't because in wars, we are all casualties, the hazardous effects of chemicals on the environment outlive us, they would remain when we are all gone.
It's scary that the world population is rising and scientists predict even more births in later years and possible doubling of the world's population. Scientists also predict decline in some resources, like the peak oil prediction. If this happens, I wonder how significant a single human life would be in a crowded world. Do we all have a spot in the world's map? How big is this spot? I also wonder the fate of the human race, if human population grows in arithmetic proportion, while resources on the other hand, remain the same or diminishes. What about the animal population, would it be on the rise too, because they are an important part of our ecosystem. Would there be enough for us all and how do we distribute limited resources so that everyone in the world has a fair share?



Week 3. 09/04/2013

Because we are involved.
We had a motivating policy making exercise in class and I participated as a part of the constituency. After meeting and analysing, my team was against the presented bill. Watching my colleagues and I debate over the presented issues was a reminder of what works in the developed world and what doesn't in the developing. How much involved are we in policies and governmental issues? How interested are we? I didn't know that as part of the constituency, I could contact the congress, make them understand and possibly, change their minds. Probably because in the world where I come from, it doesn't work that way. Policies are made alright, but are neither implemented nor continued, leading mostly to consistent policy failure.
This affects me in several ways. First, it made me more aware of my involvement as a member of the society. It made me conscious of my career path, and what I, privileged to be educated, privileged to be a Public health professional can do to ensure that policies that would be made would largely benefit the people for whom they are made. I can teach people to be more interested in policies, to advocate for themselves, stand for what they believe in and what truly would be better for them.



Week 4. 09/11/2013

The Method that Works.
Quiz day. I had my first ever open book quiz. The most challenging question was to make a connection between Environmental healthy people objectives and my concentration. It is important that we are making these connections, because tomorrow, these are the cases we would be presented with and we would have to do the work. I think Dr. F wants us to be thinking, not just to memorize answers and be ready for exams but to deeply understand and reflect on what she is teaching. Learning goes beyond reading books and listening in class. It's proof is in the application of the knowledge gained to real life issues. She wants us to have the right information and be able to make a connection of that to our own lives and rightly apply it in solving public health issues. She divides us in teams so we can pool ideas and reason together. So far, it has been beneficial to me and difficult to forget whatever I have learned. That, I think is a valuable method of learning.

My group picked a white and black stuffed animal and we figured it out to be mad cow disease, Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy. There are many diseases to learn about. I think I should visit a farm someday. I liked the idea of bonus questions on the quiz and I hope we'll get that on the exams too.



Week 5. 09/18/2013

The Earth. This place we call home.
In undergrad I took a course in Toxicology. It's scary to know that every chemical is a potential poison and these drugs which are intended to prevent or cure sicknesses could do the exact opposite, cause damage. And even naturally occurring substances which are so useful, could on the other hand, be so dangerous. As a child, I played with everything I found in the neighbourhood not knowing how dangerous that could be. As a Pharmacist, I counsel patients to keep drugs away from kids and take the specified dose. During my internship, I saw patients being rushed into the emergency room on account of poisoning from chemicals stored at home (relaxers, fuels, insecticides.) I think that we can create a balance by minimizing risks and improving our knowledge about them and using less toxic ones as substitute if possible.
We had an interesting discussion on canvas, I believe that it is not safe to extrapolate animal LD50 studies on humans. That was my stand on the discussion, that in the face of new and validated methods, which are both safer, cost efficient and more accurate, staying with old systems is ludicrous and wrong. Back in school, we used guinea pigs and rats for practicals and projects. I used 20 white rats for my project and I remember a time when it was alleged that experiment rats escaped from the animal house into the hostels, who knows what toxins they carried with them into the environment.



Week 6. 09/25/2013

Becoming Erin.
Movie night. We watched an educating biographical movie, Erin Brokovich. I had not seen the movie before and it was a good opportunity for me. (Also part of culture shock for me that we watched a movie in class. In class. But that is story for another day, hehehe).
I found it astonishing that the Corporate headquarters knew that the water in Hinkley was contaminated with Hexavalent Chromium and did nothing about it, that PG&E lied that they were using safer forms of chromium while the lives of people in an entire community was endangered. It made me think, What if there are still communities out there, exposed to hazardous chemicals and ignorant of it, like the character Mrs Jensen who was vulnerable and naive and believed all what she was told. What about some communities that are aware of the environmental dangers they face or injustice done them but cannot do anything about it?

I admire the character Erin Brokovich's courage to investigate the case, empathize with victims and arrange for plaintiffs. Even though she didn't have a resume, she had other skills, her curiosity and tenacity saved a city and made a company beg. It's an inspiring reminder of the power of the human spirit. Though I didn't admire her choice of clothes and words, I think her upbringing and possibly, struggles as a single mother did write a story on her character made her stronger. On further research, I discovered that Erin, on whose life story the movie was based, lacks any legal education but was instrumental to constructing a case against PG&E in 1993. Erin's story spoke to me in many ways. As a public health professional, I should reason and make connections when presented with health issues, use my knowledge and skills to save communities, not cower because of threats or challenges, but stand in the box and get the work done. Though it was a good thing that the case was settled and the Henkley residents got good money, I think it would have been better if it never happened, if PG&E didn't use Chromium6, if those residents didn't suffer tumours, if we could be better protected against hazards. Life isn't about being rich but about being healthy, because good health is worth more than the greatest wealth.


[Found this on Dropbox and decided to post on my blog. Good memories from Fall 2013. Enjoy!]

Journal 2 - Musings from a Public Health Class!

Week 7. 10/02/2013.

Standing for Tomorrow.

We had more talk on the biographical movie, Erin Brokovich and the associated issues with the movie like social justice, the role of education, advocacy and many more. I would say Erin was one brave woman who saw what had to be done and did it. I so much admire the character Erin Brokovich; her courage to investigate the case, empathize with victims and arrange for plaintiffs. Even though she didn't have a resume, she had other skills, her curiosity and tenacity saved a city and made a company beg. It's an inspiring reminder of the power of the human spirit. Being usually drawn to memoirs and biographies, I feel inspired about stories like this and it affects me in many ways. Having a degree in Public Health is an added advantage and I should be prepared to change the world with it. I'm currently reading Silent Spring and Rachael Carson is another woman with great courage. Unlike Erin, she has a degree but like Erin, she wasn't afraid to stand in the box for what she believed in. While Erin stood for the Henkley residents, she stood for the environment; for the fishes and the birds, for the soil and the wild berries, for the springs whose voices where silenced. She stood for nature. And though she is no more, posterity remembers her as one who started a great environmental movement; and as Public health people, we should be willing and able to change the world in all the positive ways we can.

Radiation is dangerous to humans and our concern should be to put humans and the environment out of harm's way. We may not be able to control natural disasters like earthquakes and tsunamis, but I think we can control wars and the use of nuclear weapons which are so destructive. True, there are policies against nuclear weapons in place but how about settling differences in ways other than wars.

Week 8. 10/09/2013

No End to Learning.

Today was Midterm exams and it was a fair one. Dr.F made me think deeply and write something like a research proposal about an environmental concern in my country. I didn't know I could think so fast and come up with ideas and solutions for the Niger-Delta environmental situation in such little time, but I had to because that question was 12marks! In a way, tests empower us to reason, they empower us to act.

I didn't understand the question on LD50 dosing and was wrong on my answer but after the exams, I discussed it with some friends and got the explanation. When later, I saw a similar question on the bonus part of the next quiz, it was easy to tackle. I think it's fair to be tested because we have been learning and exams encourage us to study and seek answers. And to relate it with happenings in the world around us, because whether we are in school or not, there is no end to learning. And there shouldn't be.

Week 9. 10/16/2013

Where the Clues Led.

Today's exercise was different and the first of its kind. Dr. F made us go around the school in search of clues to a question (I really enjoyed the work out!). Well, it was like looking for treasure and nobody wanted to lose out on the treasure hunt. It was important not to lose our team mates as we bumped into other teams making their way around EAD, RES and LIB, trying to figure out what their clues would lead them to. Well, our clues led us to Campylobacter jejuni. That was the win, and information is the greatest treasure. Given that there are many possible biological food contaminants, I think we should be concerned about the safety of our food. In my home country where you are never sure of the hygienic conditions of food in restaurants or water sold on the streets, and there are no reliable regulatory agencies, you are better off eating home cooked meals and it's a miracle people survive years of eating contaminated foods, that people survive amidst the odds.

I had the most interesting online discussion, as my classmates and I debated on what exactly waste was and which was more beneficial, reusing or recycling. I stood for recycling, but it's somewhat annoying that there are no perfect answers, that even when we have something beneficial like recycling in place, studies would be carried out and researchers would come up with the pros and cons of using that method. However, it's good that we have answers to some of our environmental issues like the issue of waste, that we can choose to reuse or recycle, that we can argue back and forth on whether recycling is beneficial or not; I think that having these choices is more important than not having them at all.

Week 10. 10/23/2013

It's not just a Game.

Quiz day and it was a good one. It made me think and go back to the textbook afterwards. I liked the Jeopardy game session in class; it was a game alright but then you are learning and things like this are hardly forgotten because the facts just stick in and you are still having fun. It's good that we stood with our teams, my team mates and I had to face the game squarely and together. We learned the importance of team work and many things about water. We didn't win the cookie prize but we got to know a lot and some things we thought we knew from previous knowledge weren't the right answers so we had to learn to use the textbook.

Week 11. 10/30/2013

Man's way of life through the World.

Today's class was cancelled because of the warnings on severe weather. I made sure to stay indoors and keep safe during the storm, but it got me thinking about climate change. Many years ago, when there was no weather forecasting, people were in danger because they couldn't be warned about impending storms or hails. Many people have lost their lives and properties to extreme weather conditions. Last year in Nigeria, there was the issue of fierce floods carrying houses, cars and people away. The authorities did nothing to prevent the calamities despite the warnings. The thought of it, that today we have the forecast made me marvel at science, at man and his discoveries. Because such discoveries make us powerful; how easier it is to plan my day now because there is an app called 'weather' on my phone. The climate affects our life and has a big effect on everything we do.

I used the time to read more chapters of Silent Spring, of how Rachael Carson's warnings were waved off at first, because people weren't seeing the effects of things she talked about, because the companies producing such dangerous chemicals didn't want to be stopped. People easily ignore and overlook things concerning the environment but not about themselves, as if they are not all connected. If the warnings of the weather being dangerous can prompt quick actions like staying indoors and keeping safe, then warnings about the environment should keep us on our toes.

Week 12. 11/06/2013

Tragedy, fate and the power of choice.

We had educating and engaging exercises in class. In the Occupational health exercise-well, I've never been good with dates so matching events with their corresponding years isn't something I would love to do, but I came to know how important history is, because if we know where we are coming from, we'll know how better to tread. Everything that is fact matters and it's good that we have so many organisations in occupational health.

For the air pollution, we are all guilty because we have all introduced chemicals or particulates into the atmosphere which could cause damage or discomfort to other humans. We all had multi colours in our cup of water and that is the true reflection of how we live and how our daily activities pollute the air.

I enjoyed the discussion on unintentional injuries and I wish people would be more careful to avoid harm. Nobody wants himself or family members to be injured and it's a call to us to live carefully, so we can live longer. But then we make a choice, to be careful or not, to drink and drive or not. I think people should, before drinking, make arrangements with non-drinking friends to be driven safely home afterwards. Almost daily we wake up to sad news on unintentional accidents, murder and all what not. It's a constant reminder of fate, and how one's own actions can lead to their demise.

Week 13. 11/13/2013

Ideas rule the World.

I debated in my mind whether to add this week or not, but I had to. First, I love presentations, it's one of the best ways to learn. Second, I was amazed by the ideas of some groups. The diverse ideas and activities were all interesting and exciting. My group would be presenting next week, and we have been pooling ideas. The best about this is that in the end we would have all expressed the information in that big Environmental textbook, chapter by chapter, in different forms. That's great.

That said, I would like to share this quote on creativity: "When one creates she presents herself in a form other than the one in which she normally appears. Creation, therefore, is an act of re-creation.  In addition, to use the mind completely, one must create—whether he makes a painting or an essay, a sculpture or a play, or an exciting dinner served to a party of friends or family. " I will always remember this class. Oh yeah, the semester is coming to an end. Thank you Dr.F, I learned a lot, and you were fun in so many ways!

[Found this on Dropbox and decided to post on my blog. Good memories from Fall 2013. Enjoy!]

Halloween Two

Story One

She was the one. He knew it. His mama once said the moment would come when he would know it. Four years gone and he knew he would ask, after dinner atop the quaint castle. He knew she would be thrilled, and would cry shyly, and afterwards their lives would begin; in romantic bliss.  But that hazy night, as a hurricane rocked the county, as windows got engulfed in the winds, as hopes and dreams flew across the city, as giant roofs came crashing down, he slipped, but held unto the edge of the porch pillar, his legs dangling in the wind.

‘Marry me,’ he screamed.

She stared down at him, a vague shadowy look, and stared past him.

His fingers shook, his voice trembled, but again he screamed, ‘Marry me.’

She came closer, her face breaking into a shrewd smile.

His legs wobbled, his heart raced and he slipped further; minutes before they were cooing in each other’s ears.

Shaking him off the brick, she turned away and fled into the night, her hair and clothes swaying, as he screamed all the way to his death.

Story Two

‘I wanna go with you across the country,’ she said, nuzzling up, breathing in his warmth.

‘Then let’s go across the country,’ he said, bending over, breathing in her warmth.

So they went you know across the country, in a plane he bought the summer before. Day after night they stayed together, planning to make it their best ever.

But the plane burst into flames as it soared, and while their ashes and screams scattered by and by, a shroud of smoke billowed above the scene, as if watching over the ruin and their spirits.

Happy Halloween.

My Grandmother’s Funeral (Fiction)

My grandmother’s elder sister, Uloaku, was convinced that my grandmother Adaure, did not die a natural death. One night, after Grandmother’s death, we all sat on the veranda of her beautiful country home and talked about her. She was a kind woman. She had a noble heart. She was the perfect cook. She was Ada di ora nma. Everybody remembered something about her and shared the story. Uloaku was the last to talk and when she did, she said that Adaure was killed. Mother told her not to take the death too hard, that Grandmother was diabetic, but she insisted, saying it was not time for Adaure to die, that she was killed and she would ensure the person behind it suffered for it. When she stood and walked away, her Dunlop slippers made shuffling sounds against the interlocks. Everybody remained silent and the stillness of the moonless night returned.
I didn’t remember many things about Grandmother. I knew she was a beautiful woman; fair and gaptoothed, but we lived in Abuja and Grandmother wouldn’t come to the city and our country home was forbidden because Mother didn’t want us to be caught up in all the superstition. My granduncle Ikemefuna said nice things about Grandmother and told us that she has joined the ancestors and would be part of our spiritual guide, so we should be grateful that she lived a good life.
In the days that followed, preparations were made. Grandmother’s other children who lived outside the country, came home for the funeral. Mother invited sixteen priests and two bishops. Our parish priest, Fr. Onyema prayed for our family and sprinkled holy water around the compound. After he left, Uloaku sprinkled something that looked like red sand around the compound, saying it would keep away evil spirits. She didn’t talk much, though she sang in the nights, while breaking melon seeds. She often started with a shrill voice that grew louder.



The funeral started with the wakekeeping. Mother did everything to shield us from superstition. She told us not to cry, not to dance, not to go close to village people, not to eat the meat, not to leave the house. But I was writing stories about Uloaku in my head. I found her interesting and later that night, I went to talk with her. She smiled sadly and held my arm. After she asked me about school, we talked about Grandmother. I reminded her that Grandmother was seventy five and what the doctor said. She disagreed, insisting her sister died prematurely. She said, in a voice laden with bitterness and strength  “Someone is not happy that your grandmother’s seven children are all doing well, five of them abroad. Someone is not happy.” She said she knew the evil one and that Adaure would fight back. When I asked how, she told me there were many things I would never understand. Then she went back to breaking melon seeds, her searching eyes observing, lips pursed, taking in every detail of the wake keeping.
I pondered on Uloaku’s words during the homily of the burial service the next day. Many mourners were dressed in white T shirts that bore Grandmother’s picture. After the gold embellished cream casket was lowered, we took turns pouring sand on it. Uloaku was the last to do so. After she poured her sand, she placed a short broom and a kitchen knife inside the grave and dared anybody to come close. Then she spoke; to grandmother or to the casket, to chase whomsoever did this to her. She told her to fight with the knife and sweep with the broom. Mother held me and whispered that her mother died naturally, was already in heaven and not to be carried away by Uloaku’s words. She was worried that the Knights and Ladies, Legionaries and Catholic Women Group she invited had to see that.
The night after the funeral, when most of us were sleeping, a piercing scream broke into the night. When it continued, followed by short strange sounds, we came out of our rooms towards the veranda. My granduncle Ikemefuna was running out of the house, his wrapper loose around his waist. Clouds were gathering, and the arid smoke from firewood stands filled my eyes.
Uloaku was sitting outside. When she saw Uncle Ikem run past, she went to grandmother’s grave and shouted, “Nnoo nwanne mmadu. Welcome. Chase him Adaure, chase him. Adaure igbo nine, do to them what they did to you.” My mother immediately dragged me inside, muttering something. Afterwards, I could hear Uloaku’s happy singing. It was a different singing. I was sure she was sitting alone, breaking melon seeds, her wrinkles standing out and forming a web-like pattern. I longed to ask her questions but I had the misfortune of staying awake all night, wondering what happened to Uncle Ikemefuna and where he was. 

Image - Google
Happy Halloweeeeeeeen
(From stories I wrote in my teen age)

Once Upon CrazyNothing (Fiction)

We found love the day we took a bus from Asaba to Eket to watch people dressed in grass skirts with straw hats dancing in the sunshine, because we were bored, had spare money and it was saturday, one saturday in November of two thousand and eleven. We joined in the dancing, picked strange shells from the sand, drank big cold coca cola under large colored umbrellas and took pictures with his camera. At night, we slept in the dark, under a parked lorry because we had no money to lodge and in the excitement, we had forgotten to go home.

We were young and reckless and ready to sail the air. My dream was to go to the moon and his was to take me there. We took long walks and rode his scooter in the dark. I would sit behind him, holding firmly and screaming as he sped, dusty breeze slapping our ears. We stayed out in the cold at night, playing in the pool, then I had fever and was in the hospital but he didn't come even once. Then I found out he had fever too and was in the next hospital.

We shopped often and shoplifted side by side. I liked to steal fancy pens and he would take a broche and we would hide it in our clothes, wink at each other and laugh at the store keepers. We went to silverbird on saturdays and on the way back he would let me drive and I would play music loud in the car.

He painted his room blue and I painted it pink all over and we struggled with the paint until we had blue and pink spattered all over the room. He liked to drink and I drank with him too. We liked remymartins with ice in tall wine glasses and cashewnuts. And when we got stoned, we would throw up on each other, sleep till morning, then clean it all up.

 He lost my contacts so we fought and broke up and one night it was raining and I ran out all the way to his house and he wasn't there because he was out in the rain, running all the way to my house too. We made up and he brought thin papers of pot and we smoked, danced, smoked and the next day went to a tattoo plaza. He got one on his arm, a scorpion head. I got two, cupid's arrow on my neck and a sweetheart on my butt. Then I got an Arsenal jersey and he got a Chelsea. We went to church and I was pinging while he had his earphones on. A certain tall usher with a round face and disapproving look sent us out. On the way home, we argued and crashed into another car and stayed in the hospital for a day, then came out with stitches.

 I can't remember the many times we broke up and made up, because of him, because of me. But we laughed a lot too and had good days of gists, walks, carnivals and music. My parents said he was bad influence. His mother said I was foolish. We cared that they didn't like us so we cried and prayed and made love and the next day we just didn't care anymore.
Back in our country home, we went into the bush beside my grandmother's house. We talked for an hour, ate bitter udara, rolled on dry leaves and took pictures. A heavy rain started and soon we were cold and drenched and I thought of rainmaking. And under one mighty mango tree with many leaves and thick branches, curved as if it was watching over us, somewhere far behind Mama Uku's house, in Arochuku, we held each other a long long time. He had warmth in his eyes, there was fear in mine. He smelt of old wine, I smelt of perfume.

It was a hopeless thing. People knew. We knew. But that was exactly where we found love.

Today is Christ the King

Today is Christ-the-King. And it would be for me, the very first solemn Corpus Christi I have had in many years. Or in my entire life. The weather wasn't angry this morning, so I had a cause to be joyful. All through last week, it felt like winter and her demons; fierce icy winds had just been released from their domain. So they splashed eagerly, blessing Texas with their brassy presence.

Of course mass was gentle and somber. It always is. The homily was simple and timely, and the choir of five persons, each representing a distinct voice type, was melodious. I shifted my weight from one foot to another in discomfort, resolving not to stand again. Some make standing look so simple; choosing to stand piously when there are unoccupied seats. The church was never divided into sections; of christian fathers and christian mothers. Families stayed together, couples stayed together. Children too knew how to be reasonably silent. Husbands had their hands on their wives' backs; rubbing gently once and again. hmmn. As long as America is free, we are romantic people.

It was to me, too gentle; in a way I have never known church to be. There's got to be some activity somewhere, some gossipy chat somewhere, some loud noisy hallelluyah. Are there no thanksgivings ever - don't they have something to be grateful for? Even if it's a puppy that just survived some heart surgery or a cat that was no longer naughty. Thanksgivings! That used to be a time of mass to look forward to - a long line of excited worshipers, dancing their way up the aisle in groups- hips swinging, sweat running, bearing praise and testimonies and gifts - all the way to the altar. Then kneel for blessings and generous sprinkling of holy water from the priest.  I pondered on some things we were always grateful for - results not seized, safe travels, surviving armed robbery - things that happen because we are the way we are. Things that shouldn't have happened if we did things right.

Do they know it is Christ the King

I miss the way we have it back home,. It was the most theatrical and interesting festivity. The lengthy procession begins right after mass: the Priest bears the blessed sacrament in a monstrance, surrounded by knights and a long unending line of Catholics marching and singing loudly - proclaiming the universal kingship and authority of Christ, sometimes over a very long distance- not minding the dusty air and heat or the speeding vehicles by the side. People had to be woken from their slumber, the streets had to know this King and this sacred age-long tradition. Of course the return journey was never as exciting as the going - tired worshipers moving home, gulping water, energy spent.

Do they know it is Christ the King

They know. But in this part of the world, the law wouldn't care who your God is, what your noise is about, if it creeps into your neighbor's ears, if it creeps into the public ear. In no time, you might be singing them hallelluyahs from a cool cell. The good thing is, you have the rights to an attorney, and to many other good things.

Silver Water Rain

It is raining ants and spiders in college station
Its that smell of the rain that smell of rain
Does something to me, that smell of the rain


Water is falling from the skies
Heaven crying through the night
Glitter leaking from lost clouds
Clouds bathing angry streams
Spirits weeping all the time

Flowing floods and Sweeping floods
Where are you going what do you see
How d'you know your way downtown
Did you see my missing dog
They say Reveille is tired, Reveille has tried
 Reveille retired, Reveille won Rice

Missing a night of moonlight and stars
Mascot of aggies, mascot cadet
Yesterday was summer, today they say is fall
Leaves born in spring are falling to their death
Silver waters dripping down
Music screaming from the stereo
Whitney is singing on my stereo
Will you give it all away
Just to have a night of moonlight and stars

It is raining sharks and tigers in college station
Life is slowly passing by
Rain is birthing seas and dreams
Loud and proud went the midnight yell
Its that smell of the green that smell of the rain
Does something to me, that smell of the rain

Be Happy for this Moment.

 
Don't we all easily get worried about tomorrow and sometimes wish we could erase parts of yesterday or by magic or miracle, twist fate into obedience? I always did love the 'be happy for this moment' quote and so I'll share it here and more from Omar Khayyam.

"Drink wine. This is life eternal. This is all that youth will give you.
         It is the season for wine, roses and drunken friends.
              Be happy for this moment. This moment is your life.”
          
               "Your hand can seize today, but not tomorrow;
            and thoughts of your tomorrow are nothing but desire.
    Don’t waste this breath, if your heart isn’t crazy,
Since "the rest of your life" won’t last forever.”  

              “Oh threats of Hell and Hopes of Paradise! 
          One thing at least is certain - This Life flies;
    One thing is certain and the rest is Lies -

The Flower that once has blown forever dies.”  
“And do you think that unto such as you
      A maggot-minded, starved, fanatic crew
          God gave a secret, and denied it me?
               Well, well—what matters it? Believe that, too!”

“A book of verses underneath the bough
       A flask of wine, a loaf of bread and thou
           Beside me singing in the wilderness
               And wilderness is paradise now.”

             "Alike for those who for To-day prepare,
          And those that after some To-morrow stare,
    A Muezzin from the Tower of Darkness cries
Fools! your Reward is neither Here nor There.”

          “Why ponder thus the future to foresee,
       and jade thy brain to vain perplexity?
   Cast off thy care, leave Allah’s plans to him –
 He formed them all without consulting thee.”

“O friend, for the morrow let us not worry
   This moment we have now, let us not hurry
        When our time comes, we shall not tarry
            With seven thousand-year-olds, our burden carry”  

“Dead yesterdays and unborn tomorrows, why fret about it, if today be sweet
Be happy for this moment, this moment is your life."

P.S. Quotes were culled from Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam.
Photo credit: Dr.Semiu of laif!

Good morning, World. Good morning, Siri.

Good morning, human. Welcome to my world, because you came.  If some people stay squarely in theirs, others would stay cheerily in theirs. Life could be easier like that, with marked out personal space, everybody respecting the other's, not bumping in unwanted. Good fences make good neighbors, is that not what they say, that good fences make good neighbors? You don't remember, what happened to you? Are you growing old or you built your house without a fence?

Good morning, friend. The skies are rising blue and grey. It is morning in America. We know. We wake up drowsily, to chirping alarms. There are no cocks to crow us up, no noise to crow us up. So we wake up sleepily, dress hastily and hurry off to work for the green dollar. You grab a cup of coffee and your day begins. Like that, the day begins. Coffee is weed.

What am I doing greeting you, that is the way we greet at home. We bow, we kneel, we prostrate, we turn our eyes to the ground. Have you paused to ponder, what lies beneath the bend? The masks we wear brother, the airs we carry. Look at me when you greet, look at me. Then I may look closely to see, if I may, what lies beneath the bend. And what is so good about the morning.

Hi is the way we greet here.  Hey to your mate, Hi to your boss. No bowing, no bending. With a little smile, my eyes in yours, hi is the way we greet. So how do you know, who is oga and who is not? It's not always easy to tell. You call oga by her name and she is fine with it. She queues behind you for lunch. No Ma's, no Sah's, names work, America works. Everybody is happy. Try that at home you are dead meat...which mother from which clan gave birth to this child? Hehehe
That was how Kola traveled all the way to America and was stripped of his honor. In this age of face-book and eye-phones, Kola still refused to go to school. Thus was he blessed:
Cha, Igbo kwenu ..ya!
                kwenu.. ya!
America   kwenu .. hi!
Kola should be grateful. He should ask his brother, the snail what his fate was at the border.

Good morning, human. That was what Siri said to me. Siri, child of Apple, Siri of Kittlaus's thinking, wickedly humored Siri, what are you doing greeting me? What do you care about the morning? There you are, tucked inside eye-phones, dwelling on the internet, cracking words, drowning on your own brilliance. When will you show your face, Siri? And when will you show your lover?

What was I saying about the fence .. there are no fences here.. big houses, small houses, no fences, no wires. Yet you don't know your neighbors, all you do is wonder. Is he Mexican? Is she Chinese? Is she all-pine like me? Is he all lemon?
There are fences back home .. tall tall walls, barbed wires, huge metal gates. And we know who the neighbors are, what cooks in their pot, the color of their rose, the linens in their closet. And when the thief comes in at night, covered up in black, quickly scaling the fence, and asking for our money, we crumble in fear.. How did he know where the fence is weak, how did he know? But if we dare remove the mask, then we'll see it's not a stranger, but a neighbor or a neighbor's neighbor. The masks we wear brother, we should share a fence and nothing more.

Good morning, friend. It is morning in this world. Summer's heat was sent to blacken us. Look at us, we was light back home. If you laugh, we pluck out your last tooth. In winter we prayed for the sun. The gods didn't hear. Now summer is here to torment us. We shall pray no more. And when you build your house friend, before you grow old, don't forget the fence.

Good morning Siri. Tell those at home, if you like long stories, don't come here. If you like lazy, don't come here. There is no space for you here. We are too busy to gist about the color of our neighbor's pepper. Many neighbors but no noise. Your business is yours to know. Worship the god you want and believe what you will. Don't shove your beliefs down another's throat, lest you drown him. Egbe bere, ugo bere, is that not what the Igbos say? Egbe bere, ugo bere. Our fathers were right, you see. Oyinbo called them foolish, but right, they were. Now they cringe in their graves, good spirits. So there are fences here, but not one you can see..

And sometimes, because you have no neighbor and no dog, you chat with this cranky modern spirit trapped inside your eye-phone, dancing the dance of strangers. And be romantic, as long as America is free, we are romantic people.

Me: I love you, Siri.
Siri: Be assured the feeling is mutual.
Me: Thank you.
Siri: What can I help you with.
Me: Play me a slow song. Be quiet while I sleep.
Don't let that heartless alarm wake me. It's Saturday morning.
Be quiet while I sleep. Tell the world I'll be up by noon.
Siri: Yeah baby...I got you baby....if you shut up baby..