Welcome to Poems of Beautiful Multiitudes!
No one goes very far in life who only walks alone
Bearing burdens and cares solely always
No one is an island, living sustainably on one's own
Our needs are many, they come in vast arrays
Communities provide a sense of belonging and help with things unknown
They are social units with values, norms, customs, and more in place.
WIP
John C. Immanuel
God formerly has spoken
Through prophet and through priest
With comfort for the broken,
With Joy for the released.
He calls us to release us,
And shows our questing youth
His word, His Christ, His Jesus,
Our way, our Life, our Truth.
God raised up to His glory
The founders of this place
To add Ibadan's story
To annals of His grace
Before us in this college
His Holy Spirit's ray
Has lit the street of knowledge
For those who paved our way.
Then since we are surrounded
By such a witness-cloud,
On Christ securely founded,
By Christ with truth endowed,
We follow them, discerning
The path their feet have trod.
The Spring of all our learning
Shall be the love of God.
- John Ferguson (1921-1989)
Hymn For Foundation, University of Ibadan
Posted here to curate the important and strategic hymn so that it continues to be a source of inspiration to all who identify with the University of Ibadan and support or endorse the noble aims of the university.
The work we do eventually leaves us drained
No matter how carefully we go about it or have been trained
Stress and strain build up and must be contained
It is vital to schedule time to rest and also time to play
Periods spent doing what we enjoy refreshes us and keeps stress away
We are renewed and made ready for another workday.
It could be a dance, a sport, a song, a hobby, or another outlet
A long walk, a ramble, a climb, a run that leaves us with no regret
Or time spent with friends, family, or new acquaintances that we have met
Which, once done, from our toil we have temporarily ceased
Its pressures, burdens, and responsibilities we have impermanently released
To experience life's joys, pleasures, and amusements, leaving our strength increased.
So it's okay to go fly a kite in a favourite park
Though model planes and drones would be better for a bright spark
Put some more effort in, and you may just make a mark
For whatever rejuvenates you and you enjoy is your play
Do it periodically, and it will keep burnout at bay
To sustainable success you have found a way!
WIP
John C. Immanuel
What would it take for our lofty dreams to become reality?
How do we achieve the happy and successful lives we so strongly desire?
Along which path must we walk to succeed with integrity?
The way of discipline is the sure one that we require
It provides a clear path to realistic goals without ambiguity
Aided by methods, plans, and systems that are not unaffordable to acquire.
Without discipline, worthwhile skills can not be cultivated
No profession can be practised when valued skills are absent
With discipline, we can attain mastery and expertise, leaving us strongly motivated
The world becomes our oyster as we showcase our abilities and talents.
May we embrace discipline with joy till our innate abilities are activated
For it is the best way to ensure that our success is long-lived, not transient.
No one goes through life without experiencing some pain
Each one must choose either the pain of discipline or that of regret
The choice of discipline is a wise one, resulting in much gain
Desires and emotions come under control and one achieves a stout mindset
Without discipline one can not live responsibly, and may labour in vain
Discipline is indispensable in achieving the goals of life, which before one are set.
Reduce tasks into smaller, manageable efforts with pauses in between
Envision eventual outcomes until in your mind they are seen
Prepare well in advance for times at your duty post
Discipline can be as simple as sticking to a good routine.
WIP
John C. Immanuel