To praise the blue whale’s crystal jet, To write, ‘O fountain!’ honouring a spout Provokes this curse: ‘The high are humbled yet’ From those who humble Godhead, beasthood, verse. Once, the Lord raised this bulwark to our eyes, Once, in our seas, whales threshed, The harpooner was common. Once, I…
Surprising how feelings depend on blood pressure. Electricity in my body prevents me from staying put. And, still, I force myself not to move. Fingers are nervously running across the keyboard. Then the uneven verses turn into day dreams. Your text messages follow me in my steps. I do not wish to keep silent, but…
O man! whose weakness dares rebel Against the Almighty’s strength, draw nigh And listen, for my tongue shall tell His message from the clouded sky. Midst rain, and storm, and hail, he spoke,Around the piercing thunder broke; At his proud word the clouds disperse, And thus he shakes the universe: ‘Come forth, then, in thy pride and power — Come answer me,…
Adinoyi Ojo Onukaba’s The Killing Swamp, composed principally of four characters, is obviously a play of one act. The Killing Swamp was first published in the year 2009 and in course of dramatizing The Killing Swamp, Adinoyi Ojo Onukaba avers in the author’s note that “the play should run seamlessly from the beginning to the…
New Year’s greetings with a plum branch in hand the sky draws near such a bright sunrise New Year’s Day New Year’s Day has come — quiet streets The year begins on New Year’s day our life is Now the stars vanished and then — five-colored New Year’s mist
Leopold Sedar Senghor is a poet, philosopher and scholar. He is one of the eldest and most prominent living persons associated with African poetry and culture. Born in 1906, Senghor was educated in Dakar, Senegal and Paris, France where he made history as first West African to graduate from the Sorbornne and teach in French…
BACKGROUND OF THE POET Jean – Joseph Rabearivelo was born in 1901 in Antananarivo, Madagascar. He was the only child of his mother. He was educated at Catholic mission school, and his desire to study more earned him an improvement in French language. After graduating from college, he worked as a proof – reader for…
Have you ever wanted to dive into African poetry but didn’t know where to begin? Well, look no further! This guide is here to introduce you to the best African poets for beginners. For the past 10 years, I’ve been reading and exploring Africa’s rich and diverse poetic landscape, and I want to share my favorite…
Who sat and watched my infant head When sleeping on my cradle bed, And tears of sweet affection shed? My Mother. When pain and sickness made me cry, Who gazed upon my heavy eye, And wept for fear that I should die? My Mother. Who taught my infant lips to pray And love God’s holy…
Come away, my love, from streetsWhere mankind eyes divide,And show windows reflect our difference.In the shelter of my faithful room rest. There, safe from opinions, being behindMyself, I can see only youAnd in my dark eyes your greyWill dissolve The candlelight throwsTwo dark shadows on the wallWhich merge into one as I close beside you….