The book is a fantastic work of art, with simple language and a style that is readable to all; it is one among few with a unique way of expressing various feelings. As it relates to life, it takes you through the mind of the author in relation to life’s many troubles and through the mirror of life, telling a story of struggles, triumphs, courage, and victory in the storms of life. As a single mother who tasted the bitterness of life both as a child and an adult, it behoves her to tell her story through poems of expression flowing from the pen to help others in and out of similar situations in life. Right from the onset of this collection you can sense the determination to succeed even amongst the thorns of life. The book is a compactable family entertainment journal which is very suitable for every family member and friend. The author flawlessly writes different stories in poetic language which portrays every aspect of human life. She makes reading easy by her humour in the face of distress, making even serious matters of the heart, life, and existence lighter for us to survive. Basically, the poems give voice to millions of people out there who may be voiceless, ignored, rejected, or abandoned by those who are supposed to listen and love them. This is for all of you. LIFE THROUGH THE MIRROR EXPERIENCE By Philomena Ngwodo Uwaifo AuthorHouse LLC Copyright © 2014 Philomena Ngwodo Uwaifo All rights reserved. ISBN: 978-1-4918-5149-4 Contents Money, 1, December Is Unique, 4, That Memorable Crucible, 7, The Prime Mover, 14, Constance, 17, Special Someone: My Son, 20, Sadness, 21, Tomorrow, 23, And She Died ... Lydia, 24, My Mother, 26, Moon, 28, The King's Mother, 30, Moments, 32, A Friend, 34, Life, 37, Somebody, 38, Cancer, the Moon Child, 39, By the Cross of Water, 41, The Day I Became Free!, 43, My Wish, 44, To Hold Me, 46, Divine, 47, The Window, 48, It Hurts, 49, With a Smile on My Face, 51, Illusions, 52, Love: Any Name Applicable, 54, Lady Cherry, 55, Sweet, 58, The Mighty Lion, 59, Friends, 61, Omo 'n' Oba, 62, Yekinni, 63, My Arabian Prince, 64, Mask Monster, 66, The Call, 68, The Palace Jesters, 70, The Three of Us, 72, Millennium, 74, To Myself, 75, The Wind, 76, The Cable Seller, 77, I Like My Country, Nigeria, 78, Rottenness, 81, My Life, 82, The Ritual, 84, The Dictator, 86, Sun, 90, The Drunkard, 91, Wars, 94, My Sons, 95, Nigeria, My Great Country, 96, Accidents, 100, The Dead and Death, 103, Our Mother, 106, Call Me What You Like, 110, Teachers Are Great, 113, The Rich Man, 117, CHAPTER 1       MONEY     You, money, precious and dangerous,     The primary pursuit of all and sundry,     You are well known to be—     And yourself you have proved—     The root of all evil.     Where kings and queens become like toys     In your evil hands, I see the fall of nations and empires alike,     Humbled by your smell and power,     Where nations and notions are bound     To your stupid power, I think.     Oh, how people for you crave!     A good thing to owe.     Money, you are powerful and wonderful,     But many are the men you destroyed     In their bid to have you, in their want to possess you.     Heartless and unscrupulous you have been     And thus endangering in the process.     Untold calamities and disasters you have brought     To man and nature alike!     For your sake, money, people are known     To sacrifice their offspring and kind;     Uncountable numbers have gone to the world of no return,     Betrayed for the evil in you as you are,     The only evil necessary for man to betray     His close companion for you!     You, money, the apple of discord you are     Of numerous controversies and conflicts!     Yes! I know many people mad for your sake     Who had their household ravaged,     All in the name of you— money!     On the scores of you, money,     Myriads of people of distinct race     Have their creator jettisoned,     Humbled, humiliated, and ridiculed by you;     Many clergymen and presidents alike     Have for your sake     Desecrated the sacred nature of the Omnipotent One.     Many have his name dragged down     Just in virtue of money.     Oh, you money,     As good as bad you are!     Your value overemphasized could not be.     Your availability does pleasure arouse,     For those who have you in mind and in hand     Can dream of having many things to vaunt.     Paramount importance you confer     On anybody fortunate enough     You at their disposal to have.     Essential as you are, money,     A stormy petrel you are still reputed to be.     Small wonder, then, that I hear     Geoffrey Chaucer once you portrayed thus:      Money is the root of all evil.       DECEMBER IS UNIQUE     Of the all months I know     We have in a year     January, February, March, April,     May, June, July, and a host of others,     Decem