(For Dotta, Dora, Ngohide, Faeren, Sefa and all my siblings) You might have left our lands long but the stars, I know, shine down there like they shine here. The moon might come out a bit late but it would still be the same one that we pursued across surfaces on many watered plains. … Continue reading Sending The Stars To Shine For You
You raise your thoughts to the highest heavens, even though you are at your lowest. You drink of the wonders of so much written, yet find no merit to quench the thirst that is drinking you up. You hear more words, and see much more evils … What should be, what should be? The puzzles … Continue reading The Pen Is Mightier Than The Sword
I heard the sounds come in. It was one I had heard before. I had danced in its many renditions severally. They hadn’t been mine. They were those of my friends and recently, the very last of my sisters. It reminded me of all those days, when we were little. It was like … Continue reading Soul Notes
August 4th 2013 I have been away from Purple Silver for some time – I think only one session past. I have been away from many other commitments – my Naijastories account can testify too. Oh well! Decided to change that a bit… 18:30 After a hectic day, and holding a planning meeting same place … Continue reading Thrills At Purple Silver Open Mic Session
Flow, the Muse calls… I know not what to write. The words flow but nothing comes out right the journey from the heart to the hand stops the communication from the hand to the heart flops… Come out, words, come out! I bring to the screen the flow of my heart hoping it to juxtapose … Continue reading Come Out, Words, Come Out
(Chinua Achebe 1930-2013 and on in our hearts) Chinua Achebe is one of those epically unique individuals whose lives have been so full, so purposive and so impactful that we begin to pray that they will never die. But who doesn’t know that that is mere wishful thinking? To be sure, the Eagle on Iroko … Continue reading Chinua Achebe: Death, Where Are Thy Claws? – Niyi Osundare
DRENCHING OUT, HOPEFULLY I drench myself out Seeking your fort To find solace in your bosom True reliever of ever and more I come and stay out – as you appear with your pout Finding me out at the door mot Angry and exploding, love the reason for your bomb Sick that I might … Continue reading Bananas Mine – Drenching Out
The awards were announced at the Entry Point hotel in Uyo on the 10th of November, 2012 during the ANA Annual General Meeting. For the first time in a long while, the winners for the Association of Nigerian Authors core awards (Prose Fiction, Poetry and Drama) had their prize money paid at the ceremony. … Continue reading Winners of the 2012 Association Of Nigerian Authors (ANA) Literary Awards
There is something about the depth of the artiste – it is only gotten by going into the heart of this one. Several years ago, I would marvel at the profoundness of the works of lots of literary maestros. The depth of their creative springs and reaches left me bedazzled. I started writing, churning out … Continue reading Ramblings On The Writer’s Depth
F. Scott Fitzgerald is one of the biggest writers ever. His The Great Gatsby is noted as one of the classics of literature. It is acknowledged as one of the greatest American novels of the 20th century. Not too many people are familiar with his ‘The Curious Case of Benjamin Button’ – or weren’t before … Continue reading The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button
For Dana who took our loved ones to a place where they are smiling – I hope… IMMORTALITY I take in of several breaths expelling them in verses where I sing your fame praying the words blot out what shame mortality robes us all with in hope of blessed sanctity where you would lie … Continue reading IN MEMORIAM (Two poems from Bring Our Casket Home)
The beauty of an e-zine like Saraba is that they have the sweet gift of choice. There’s always a singular theme per each issue and then a call made for submissions. From a very large and varied pool, the editors make their pick of some very good pieces from around the country. In this edition, … Continue reading On Saraba 10 – Now that Music is the Food of Saraba, Read it!
The day was extremely hot as was usual in Belye. I went to the garage to resume duty. I was hungry but who cared? I had to go to my job. Wow! Sometimes I wonder if my degree was worth it after all. After having spent five academic years that were equivalent to ten years … Continue reading Garage Blues
THERE’S HOPE She looked at him on the bed. * * * * * ‘Thrown out of the house. Yea, just like that. Another bottle of beer, please. Thanks. I know you are a stranger: your bag is more than evidence. Listen still. She gave me just enough transport to go back to the … Continue reading There’s Hope
Smiling tears of lean parents Praying a food that only bins could offer Taught economics Even … cancelling the physical Encouragements of these To teach a religion of reliance In Aondo for hope of better With history coming to offer a puzzle Of what (who) not to remember – (The Teacher Called the Count – … Continue reading On Certain Days