Lagos, London, New York, Venice, Paris, Calais, Eastbourne, Lindos and Moscow

Once, I had a driver that was constantly going on about how he must travel to the "overseas" and leave Nigeria behind. His dreams amused me and I couldn't bring myself to burst his bubble so I'd sit at the back of the car and listen to him ramble on about all the things he'd do when he got to the "overseas". Now? He's dead. He used our pool one late night when no one was at home and drowned. May his soul rest in peace but that story is for another day. 

                                                Photo credit: www.ladybud.com

Today, after my rant in my last post about being done with Lagos, I can't help thinking about the "overseas" and the xenophobia attacks in SA. I'm thankful for the opportunities I've had to travel to some amazing places but all have led me to a nice little conclusion. 

King Solomon was right, there is nothing new under the sun. Nada. Absolutely nothing. 

Yes, when you travel, the food, the actual sights may be new to you but you've seen the problems and people (maybe with different bodies and skin colours) a thousand times. Venice was particularly eye opening. I walked past a group of people talking about how corrupt their government is and what they must do to deal with their corrupt leaders and I couldn't help but smile. Miles away from Lagos but there I was, listening to the same discussion I had heard over and over again. Only in a different language, about a different country and with gorgeous men talking. 

                                                      Photo: www.twinfinite.com

What about Moscow? Please don't even get me started. Nigeria is in a state right now but so is every other country on this earth. None of them are as sorted as they claim to be, they've just learnt to cover up their messes better than us. To an extent, yes I want to be done with Lagos, but can I ever truly be? At the end of the day, it's the only place I really have. We just have to learn to cover our messes better because if we are being completely honest, evil doesn't only triumph in Lagos, it triumphs all over the world. 

That's all. For now.

With all my love,

Dara Rhodes

How do you sleep?

Nigeria, Syria, Kenya, Rwanda, Nigeria (again), terrible upper back pain, migranes and now America.

Honestly? I'm exhausted from it all. Drained. Tired. Knackered. Yet somehow, it's 2:30 am on a Wednesday morning and I lay awake, tossing and turning in my bed. 

Of course I have something to say about my country's presidential election and everything going on in Syria and the massacre in Kenya and the 1994 Rwanda Genocide and the rife tribalism in my beloved Nigeria and the upcoming guber elections in Lagos and now the Walter Scott killing in America. But add all that to my personal everyday life and not only can I not sleep but I also have no more strength.

      Photo credit: bizzio.deviantart.com

Was the world always like this or are all these things happening because the world is coming to an end? Or is my generation just unlucky? I'd really like to just close my eyes and sleep and not think about anything or care about everything but that's the problem with exposure. You can't 'unexpose', so here I am, wondering how the rest of the world sleeps. 

If you never have trouble sleeping, I pray it continues. I pray peace envelopes you and your loved ones. I pray for love. I pray for healing. But above all, I pray for strength for all of us.

Because, if you are exposed to it all and still have strength, you'll need more soon. Best believe that. 

With all my love,

Dara Rhodes

Still you rise

Hello beautiful people,

Happy easter!!! 

I'm not writing anything today but this poem has been on my mind alot lately, so, I thought it best to share it with you all! I hope it encourages you as Christains all over the world celebrate the rising of Jesus Christ today.  

 Photo credit: www.poetryfoundation.com

You may write me down in history 
With your bitter, twisted lies, 
You may tread me in the very dirt 
But still, like dust, I'll rise. 

Does my sassiness upset you? 
Why are you beset with gloom? 
'Cause I walk like I've got oil wells 
Pumping in my living room. 

Just like moons and like suns, 
With the certainty of tides, 
Just like hopes springing high, 
Still I'll rise. 

Did you want to see me broken? 
Bowed head and lowered eyes? 
Shoulders falling down like teardrops. 
Weakened by my soulful cries. 

Does my haughtiness offend you? 
Don't you take it awful hard 
'Cause I laugh like I've got gold mines 
Diggin' in my own back yard. 

You may shoot me with your words, 
You may cut me with your eyes, 
You may kill me with your hatefulness, 
But still, like air, I'll rise. 

Does my sexiness upset you? 
Does it come as a surprise 
That I dance like I've got diamonds 
At the meeting of my thighs? 

Out of the huts of history's shame 
I rise 
Up from a past that's rooted in pain 
I rise 
I'm a black ocean, leaping and wide, 
Welling and swelling I bear in the tide. 
Leaving behind nights of terror and fear 
I rise 
Into a daybreak that's wondrously clear 
I rise 
Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave, 
I am the dream and the hope of the slave. 
I rise 
I rise 
I rise.

by Maya Angelou

Have a wonderful day or evening!!

With all my love,

Dara Rhodes