The Good Word
What’s Happening Now!
It can be a hard job keeping up with Ugochi and her many interests. She remains in service to her community and lives her life on purpose. From performing her music and/or poems LIVE or virtually, locally, nationally and/or internationally, to media interviews, poetry commissions, poetry workshops, writing plays and more. Be the first to find out all about what the African Buttafly is up to.
International Jazz Day Concert at First Presbyterian Church of Chicago
April 28, 2026
Synesthesia
Written by Ugochi Nwaogwugwu
Absorb me
Take me in
Watch as I penetrate skin
Cause a scene
In bloodstream
Do I move in a manner
your conscience can perceive?
Do you believe I deserve to exist?
I demand respect when experienced
I hold the key to engross completely
reveal true nature on a grand scale
Capable of modulating
scowls and screams
when they beg release
Push through clenched teeth
closed mouths
Pierce silence like a wonderous wave
Responsible for joy & venom
raw energy, loose & vibrating wildly
Can you harmonize your tongue
When it whips quips on cue?
Is your view skewed by attitude?
To brood instantly colors mood
Don’t throw shade
when sun rises
over concord dreams
Close your eyes
Listen intently
Receive positive frequency
Envision it done
Hold my hand
believe we can
Know we will
Do you see me?
Not as flesh, blood or bone
But soul, heart, mind, spirit
I reverberate
sharp tones rising like steam
A mist of refined resonance
Audible warmth
lingering in atmosphere
Long after giving ear
Like whole notes on repeat
I pedal melodies
shake dust off my feet
Stand my ground
In this realm of sound
Get in touch with any questions or comments.
Ike Poetry Form...for the culture!
In 2015, Ugochi manifested the Ike (pronounced EE-kay) poetry form. Ike is an Igbo word that means "power." An Ike greatly resembles a Haiku poem in form but there is one major difference. It is a Pan African poem of sixteen syllables. First line is three syllables, one syllable for every letter in (RED), Second line is eight syllables (BLACK AND) and third line is five syllables (GREEN) traditionally invoking images inspired by black life, freedom, redemption and power. If you choose to write an Ike poem, use the hashtag ‪#ikepoem and let's elevate and recreate the righteous impressions of blackness WE visualise for the betterment of black life and the black experience in the global diaspora.
From 1865 to Missou
Fear breeds white
retaliation on black lives
for education
#ikepoem #igbokwenu
