Poetry

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Hi Friend,

I hope you've had a great day. I just wanted to share this poem with you titled "The kiss of friend". I tried to take a peep into the heart of Jesus Christ when Judas Ischariot, his friend and disciple ,came to meet him at the Garden of Gethsamane with the Jewish religious leaders and roman soldiers...the event that heralded his gruesome death on the cross. He must have felt so much pain because he so much trusted Judas. Why you may ask?..Hmm, for Judas to be Jesus' Treasurer and custodian of His ministry's account meant that Jesus trusted him so much that insinuations that he pilfered with the funds seemed to have no grounds.If not Jesus could have fired him asap!

How painful it's for one to be betrayed by a friend!How much more, when a trusted friend schemes one's death at a cost! The agony of betrayal by a friend is so grave that it can't be expressed with words.If not, Julius Caesar would have lived longer save for the final jab from the sword of his most trusted friend, Brutus...of the famed 'ides of march'.

As I contemplated on this I asked myself? "Will I ever betray a friend?". "Are my motives for friendship right?". "Am I sincere enough to those I call my friends, and hold their trust for me in confidence?". These were tough questions that made me simmer in sobriety. I realize I could follow the paths trodden by the likes of Judas and Brutus..and many others who'd betrayed their trusted friends.

I have made a new committment: To be true to my friends so they can truly count me as " a friend that sticks closer than a brother". Make that your motto and watchword, and you'd leave behind a true legacy in the heart of your friends.

Happy reading and contemplation. Would be glad to get your responses.

Shalom and cheerio

Felix Obi

"Nuggetz Man"





THE KISS OF A FRIEND…By Felix Obi

We were not born by same parents

Neither did we suckle from same source

But we ate like brothers from same pot

And drank from same gourd of pure wine

After I weaned him from the smell of fish

And the perils of a ship buffeted by waves

We shared dreams and visions

Walked thro’ the dusty plains of Galilee

And slept under roofless abodes

In company of many that I loved truly

Fishermen, tax collectors, politicians; sinners!

He belonged to the scum of the earth

But I picked him up with tender care

Mopped the miry clay that clung to him

And washed him with the warm springs

That dripped from the tip of mount Hermon

I kneaded his body with the balm of Gilead

Bathed him with the choice fragrance of princes

And cloaked him with my garment of righteousness

I took away his sense of inadequacy, his low esteem

Steeled his courage, his confidence and poise

I steadied his gait, his cadence and stride

I made him a prince that glowed in much glory

And entrusted him with the treasures of my heart

When the leaders and elders plotted my fall

I shared the pain of my heart with him

When I sensed the roar of conspirarcy around

And when the looming dread of death gripped me

I called him to my side to comfort me

For I was lonely and in need of a friend

He assured me he'd be there for me

That his love for me knew no end

That he'd be there for me at all times

I believed him,I trusted his words

To Garden Gethsemane I went to pray

But in the dead of the night;no stars

When darkness ruled the world of men

He came with a horde of soldiers

Traitors, anarchists, and conspirators

To that garden where I shared the deep things

The wisdom my father taught me in his closet



He wore a new robe of many colours this night

He beamed a smile with this glint on his face,

It was same smile that endeared him to me

He spread out his arms like he always did

And I was swamped in this embrace so sweet

It was a most reassuring touch from my friend

Which I so needed in this time of agony

But he said he wasn’t through with me

And deeply he looked into my eyes

They were so blue, yet red hot with passion

Then he planted a kiss on my face

A rare, but public display of affection

A suiting kiss from a friend it was!



While the kiss lasted, the soldiers stirred in joy

Chains and clamps shackled my hands and feet

And that forced me to walk the lonely way of death

While my friend walked away richer, not happier

With the dividends of this feigned kiss of love

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Nb: the above poem sort of captures what went on in the mind of Jesus christ after Judas ,his disciple and friend betrayed him.

The author is a physiotherapist/health consultant who lives and works in Abuja, Nigeria.he can be reached via; [email protected] or [email protected]

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