This cigarette butt
This little bit of ground coffee
This cherry yogurt
This fistful
These chamomile flowers
These grains of rice
This ration of semolina pasta
These two fingers of olive oil
This piece of old bread
This chunk of parmesan cheese
That rose in the waters of the Aniene
This bronchial roar
This cold that digs in
This anger that infected me last night
because of the Roman girl’s treachery
These knives
Tochukwu Ezebube is a passionate poet and founder of Poem Collections. With a deep love for African verse and a commitment to sharing diverse poetic voices, Tochukwu curates a rich tapestry of poems that celebrate the beauty of words from Africa and around the world. Join him on this poetic journey at Poem Collections, where the magic of language unfolds.
I am Eratosthenes’ heir — the librarianwho measured earth. He took an obelisk,a well, the sun, and made a triangle:geometry, simple and accurate. A cartographer of sorts — I measureearth with words. I have drawn roadsand made them impassable. I have laidrailroad tracks to serve as escaperoutes. I have surveyed rivers andseas by touch and taste….
The Spectacle of YouthI loved the children of the lionWhen their manes were beginning to grow,Simulating the ancient heroes.I knew the greatness of their futureWhen they leap on the tender necks of antelopesWhich prided themselves on their fleetness.I praised the skillfulness of their power,Knowing how soon they will be killing buffaloes.
Love, let us live as we have lived, nor lose The little names that were the first night’s grace, And never come the day that sees us old, I still your lad, and you my little lass. Let me be older than old Nestor’s years, And you the Sibyl, if we heed it not. What…
Aquíhijas del verbo: madres, los esparemos. Escúchenos, “vivos se los llevaron, vivos los queremos.”Recuérdenlo en el nombre del padre, del hijo y del hermanodetenidos y desaparecidos. Esperamos con la frente en altopunto por punto unidas como la cicatriz a sus costuras. Nadie podrá destruir ni desarmar nuestros pesares juntos.Amen.
Background of the poet Wole Soyinka was born in 1934 at Abeokuta, Western Nigeria. Educated in Nigeria in University College, Ibadan, and at Leeds University in England, he graduated in English Language and Literature in 1958. Wole Soyinka is a versatile person who sings, and acts and produces plays. In addition he is a creative…
how long will you fight little ant before you are crushed? surviving rocks and oppressive jungle you felt invincible strode on the sands of the great lake mocking the hissing waves, yet you cling to a stone in its chuckling belly while they reach increasingly for your soul- not even the printed page floating so…
