LOVELY MONTH OF LOVE

What goes around they say comes around....true as it may seem, i still believe that there are some exceptions. Taking for example my case, and i know same hold for a few other people, the month of February is a month i so dread because we all know it a month of Love. People look forward to the month so intensive that alot of companies make the most sale during this love month. Anyway, i dread this month not because of what is means but basically i'm running low on the people to share it with. The matter of fact is that people, and i mean families, friends and colleagues don't want to share it with me 'cause they feel i'm using them as an excuse not to have a relationship. So they figure out if they don't spend Val's day with me anymore, i will get serious and find myself a good relationship. But they are most wrong on this one.

For the pass six to seven years, it's either i take mum/dad out on val or one of them brothers/cousins whose girlfriend ain't in town. But this February has been amazing. Fun packed with great people with exhilarating events...i can barely hold my breathe. Yes indeed, February is the month of love and what better way of spending it than to spend it with someone who means everything to you. This February i don't think i want to forget in a hurry. i'm going to savor every moment of it. The Love, Kiss, Passion, Sexuality...of every moment.
This February, i got my grove back, my sex appeal and inner beauty and it is all thanks to you, my Love.

I'm keeping it real and true for you, now and always.
So what goes around comes around

THE NEW LOOK OF THE AFRICAN WOMAN

As we start this new year, i would like to look at things that are not making headlines as they should. I wish to take your focus away from disasters or awful events that seem to have come to stay. And have a look a things that happen everyday but have been sidelined because of these so called tragedies. Things likes, a beautiful smile on a child's lip, the sunset silhouetted by the building or a glimpse behind a naked tree, the wet kiss from that cute kitten or puppy, the first deal you made today, the undying love of a mother or father, those first glimpse of your baby's milk teeth and the list is endless.

Whichever way you look at it, it is important not to lose sight of those little things that makes you smile because they do matter in the long run too. You might say "What does this have to do with the title?".

Well, i was reading an article the other day on Africa and its people; and it simply occurred to me that a lot of things have certainly changed in that continent(not that there aren't any changes in other continents). It's just that African has been relegated and bastardized negatively that even Africans can't see their achievements regardless of what's going on.

So since i am an African...and a woman, I've decided to start this from that angle...which gave birth to the title of this blog "THE NEW LOOK OF THE AFRICAN WOMAN". So, if you want to know more about the African women, enjoy and if you are, an African woman, read this and understand the reasons why you should CELEBRATE "YOU". Because it is all about you.

I remember, my mother and aunts telling me stories of their young days. I've read stories telling of how women were treated back in the days. The biography of great women. The "Seen and Not Heard" policy. The background treatment of women. The "Taboo" of the birth of a baby girl. The rights of women been walked on.That having a baby girl is just a waste. It goes as far as the girl child been disowned or better still killed.

But these controversies only challenged the African woman to be free of this degrading norms and to make something meaningful out of their lives.

They gradually started to give meaning to their lives - venturing into the world that had alienated them for many, many years. The African woman is taking charge of her life and destiny.

They are opening their space and letting the world see that without them, the world won't be an interesting and great place to live. The new look of the African woman is strong, beautiful, confident and passionate. They are the real deal, they've been keep in the background for too...way too long.

The African Woman have come of age...but the truth of the matter is that, is the world ready for these wonderful and glorious women. Women who are willing to fight and take what is rightfully theirs. Women who believe in people and what they stand for. Women who aren't ready to back out of a challenge as long as it is fair. Women who are not afraid of who and what they are. They are fierce and they are ready .....ready to take the world on because they are real and true.
Ready for the world and ready for you.

So, get your socks on.
Ur Gal,
Gentlehawk

A POEM FOR ALL MY FRIENDS

They say a friend in need is a friend indeed...however, great friends are hard to find and if you are lucky enough to have them, i mean good friends, i advice you keep and cherish them.

Friends are unique people, who, despite aren't related to you by blood, many a times stick closer than a brother. Friends have helped me in my journey of life...i have been lucky to have some friends for a reason, some for a season and the best part, some for a lifetime.

So, i dedicate this to all my real and true friends - those who came for a reason, those that were for a season and those who will remain quietly for a life-time. This poem is for you. I love you and thank you so much for the opportunity to be part of your lives.


Dearest friend,
This is not a letter to be let
But one to be read
By your cute sparkling eyes
Into your tender little heart
This is to tell you how much
The things,are need to be said
but I have kept so long
truly, you are a friend
That I need indeed
A friend who is there
When you need him(her) near
You came to my life,
Quietly, like the little dove
and touched my heart
with your amazing love
you gave me encouraging words
When I needed them, so much
You give your strong and supporting hands
To help me stand out
but above all,You made me see
The most important thing of all
that you are a true friend,
and that it's meant to be and it's for real.

True n Real,
Gentlehawk

IF YOU REALLY KNEW ME

2010 is a year many would not forget in a hurry. A year with so many events, calamities, success stories and many more. So as such i think 2010 won't be easily forgotten by a lot of people whatever their story.

For me, it is been a year of mixed giving, mixed blessings. 2010 have taught me to see things and people differently and clearly. Beneath all those make-up, clothes and what-have-you, we only let people see what we want them to see...or is it what they want to see. Few weeks before the end of the year 2010, i learnt the most important and intriguing thing about life. Do people really knew who we are? Do our friends, colleagues, families know who we really are? They assume they know you but do they really? Please don't get it twisted, i simply wrote this 'cause i want people to understand that, what i have gone through or still going through, won't define me....no matter what.

So here, i am, asking or better still, telling you, IF YOU REALLY KNEW ME...

If you really knew me, you would know that i am not the happy face you see. That behind this smiling face is a frighten, lost girl who wants nothing more but to be free to live. If you knew me, you would know that i am who i am for a reason. That i don't...can't trust anyone, not that i don't want to,but because those who are suppose to be the foundation of my trust are the ones who betray my trust.

If you really knew me, you would know that i would rather be hurt than to hurt anyone. If you really knew me, you would know that i can be successful but i would rather not because the fear of doing it alone. If you really knew me , you will know that i grew up on my own and i had to fight for everything.

If you really knew me, you would know that i want to be free, to be me.....but the question is "who am i really". If you knew me, you would know that i have taken care of me since the day i can remember. And i will give everything i own to have someone take care of me for a change.
If you knew me, you would know that the only thing i want is to live a normal life, no drama.
If you really knew me, you would know that when i love i really love....and i love really hard even if it kills me; that's because i believe in love, i believe in you, i believe in me and i believe in us.

If you really knew me you would know that i'm happy and won't change a thing about my life....it'z been crazy but boy, i love it. And i'm blessed to have lived it and by the way, still living it....lol

So, you see, 2011 will be the year that you will definitely know me....and not what you think of me or what you think of what you know of me. Therefore, embrace yourself for a real and true revelation of who am i, want to be and going be.

Love, Peace and Be true
Gentlehawk

MY CHRISTMAS

I wrote this poem like 17years ago and funnily, it was meant to be a project for my kid brother. He was in junior high, i think, probably his last year and they were asked to do something on Christmas. So he asked if i could write him a poem which i did. But when i did, i really didn't pay too much attention to it 'cos i practically wrote it in about 10 to 20 minutes.

After, many years i took a look at the poem again and i felt it was one of those poems you simply scribble without much thought but actually, it's really the heart doing the writing.

So as you read this poem of mine....please open your heart to this season we celebrate, and find your own true meaning for this season.

Enjoy:

Some say it’s about eating and drinking
Which makes me go into deep thinking
That a day called CHRISTMAS DAY
Is nothing but a long and beautiful day
Of nothingness but a little pretty fairy tales
During the time of winter gaze
Oh! My meaningful Christmas
Where have you gone, just like that
Of a little daisy child
With lots of love and good tidings
Oh! My joyful meaningful Christmas
Tell me about you
This always makes me happy and dance
Tell me the real things you do
And let them know the true meaning of you.
(c)nabel

So, HAVE YOURSELVES A MERRY LITTLE CHRISTMAS and remember, be true and real to you.
Peace out
GENTLEHAWK

A CRY FOR HELP

As I lay me down
Heaven hear me now
I'm lost without a cause
After giving it my all

Winter storms have come
And darkened my sun
After all that I've been through
Who on earth can I turn to?

I look to you
I look to you
After all my strength is gone
In you I can be strong

I look to you
I look to you
And when melodies are gone
In you I hear a song, I look to you

About to lose my breath
There's no more fighting left
Sinking to rise no more
Searching for that open door

And every road that I've taken
Led to my regret
And I don't know if I'm gonna make it
Nothing to do but lift my head.............

When i first heard this song by Whitney Houston, (and by the way, i am a huge fan...i don't think there will be a better fan of hers than moi, with everything she went through, it was a good thing to have her back) i simply enjoyed the beats and rhythm and mostly importantly...........the magic and comfort her music has always given to me. It is also worth mentioning that if you know the Diva the way i do, you would notice that she has obviously lost something while in rehab and that we will never have the old Whitney back, .....well, not completely. What she has gone through, has taken, or better still, stolen alot from her....even in her vocals.

Anyway, as i listened to this song again i felt she was trying to communicate her heart to someone, anyone, out there who cares to listen. She knew, she needed saving, most especially from herself but she doesn't know how. It is much more devastating when you acknowledge your problems but there is little or nothing you can do about it. One becomes so depress that the more one feels helpless, the more the problem sucks you in. The lyrics of this song is so strong and deep. This makes me wonder, if we take a critical look at our problems, we will discover that "WE" are the problem. And it takes a person with deep roots and high level of humility to admit their weakness and vulnerability......in public. But honestly speaking, don't we all need saving from ourselves? A lot of us, don't even realise we're lost until we have lost everything and most times, everyone we hold dear. Her honesty, her humility and her fore-rightness in this song makes her a number one as far as i am concerned. Looking at the world today, it is difficult to differentiate what is real from what is not. People aren't real anymore and so is their emotions; and whatever is connected to them. It is very easy to lose one's way in that kind of world. A world that demand you to be perfect despite, it, not been perfect. An imperfectly perfect world. How depressing can it be.

But the thing is, you are allowed to lose your way....get lost. It's perfectly fine 'cause we are HUMAN. But it stops been fine when you fall and refuse to stand. When you are weak you refuse to ask for a strong hand for help. Everyone at one time or the other will need to ask for help....we can't simply do it alone. We are built to ask for help and to be assisted. No man can be an Island. I need you as much as you need me.

With this, i believe that the song is the best song ever....in the history of Whitney's musical career.

As for me, it helps put my mind at rest that these celebrities are people too, just like you and i. And that the have the rights, like everyone else, to make mistakes, learn from them and then move on with their lives.

There's nothing as peaceful and comforting as been REAL and TRUE to yourself and to everyone around you.

So try to be Real and True!

It's your Gal

Gentlehawk

Well, i guess it will be appropriate to say to all my readers or fans as this case goes, HAPPY NEW YEAR. You might be thinking HAPPY NU YEAR in the month of March? Yea, Yea. Please give me a break or cut me some slack, will ya...lol. It's just that this 2010, began with so many bad things that it is difficult for people, at least me, to keep track or at least think straight. Tragedy upon tragedy, individually or group-wise. Just when you are stepping out of one or getting a relieve from one, you get struck by another tragedy. Interesting this year has been for every human being.

The economic melt down, train crash, plane hijacking, earthquakes, unexpected deaths of loved ones, flood, terrorism and the lists goes on and on. God help us. But really what is going on? Everywhere one looks there is a sad song. Yet in the mist of all there are many having a great time. Making greatness and riches in these trying times. My mother says it has always been so and it will always be so. Is that true? Is that the essence of our world? Is there still hope for those who hold on to hope? The pain of some is the gain of some? Is that the reality of life? Am i seeing the world the way it is or the way it we want it to be?

When i was younger, the world to me was the most beautiful thing that i could not wait to explore. And i know, for every child in us, it felt this way. But now, it is what i refer to as a "mixed feeling".

We called for change - change in our way of life but is this change the beginning of our doom? For so many, life has lost its taste. It's more like a crew at sea left with just a few jar of dry, hard and tasteless biscuit and the storm just started.

But in the mist of this, Life is still very beautiful, if you know what it takes to look inwards.

Stay tune

Gentle hawk