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Poet's Talk

Poets Talk: 5 Questions with Fatima Adamu

When I write poetry, my sense of identity comes through the world of imagery. I like to imagine situations and feelings, and I try to connect with them deeply. ...

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Poets Talk: 5 Questions with Ruth Mwanza

Poets Talk: 5 Questions with Renah Osiemi

Poets Talk: 5 Questions with Carolyne M. Acen

From Our Columnists

A Man’s Death as a Nation’s Collective Journey in Sandra Rofem Hitarh’s ‘THE VOICE OF YOUR VILLAGE’ [An Essay] by Owen Odeson

Kabura Zakama’s Chant of the Angry: The Lamentation of a Nation in Despair || PaulLiam

Despite the inhuman conditions in which Nigerians now live daily, they have largely remained calm and unable to raise their voices against the conundrum threatening their existence. Paradoxically, people who have been driven to the brim of patience have chosen to remain resolute in their silence, they prefer to mourn each day away hoping a miracle might happen to them.

The Goat on The Old Gate | Nasiba Babale

We laughed. We joked. We lamented. We remembered books and plots and characters. We talked about the creativity that is needed to write a voice driven novel. We talked about A Brief History of Seven Killings, and the distinct voices of the characters.  And when we reached Kabuga junction, we hugged and parted. I crossed the road, and took the shortcut through Kofar Kabuga, the old Kofar Kabuga, with its few heaps of sand that survived the wear and tear of time, and a goat, resting on its ancient back. 

Waiting by The Shore | Naseeba Babale

After ages of avoiding the shore, I went back again. This time however, I vowed not to wait. I got a ship. The sailor had wanted me on it all along, but when the time to sail came, I left the shore. The ship was good, but I wanted better. What is wrong with waiting for a little while more when you have been waiting all your life?

Why I Write – #Tinashe

The Mystical Essence of Poetry – #Star

The heart of a poet is wild and free and even if he lives in Africa or Europe or in the desert and savannah belt, the compass grows fingers to point at every angle at the same time because what we know to be time is only a flirting naked woman or raised muscles of a man through ink and dreams.

Surviving Love and a Pandemic – #Malumfashi

Most people are wearing cloth made masks they lower to their chins when they want to talk to you – there is something about the need to communicate with the lips visible, moving. Some are wearing matching Ankara and facemask prints, in a fashion statement that even Covid-19 cannot mask.

Poetic Alchemy and the Smell of our Ancestors – #Andrea

I shout your name into the dark night A forest of shadows And there is no hyena around to respond Where are you!?

Orange Poetry NG

In The Poetry of Life by Naseeba Babale

In The Poetry of Life | Nasiba Babale

You realized later that life was giving you a poetry lesson. Teaching you that just because the first line came out right didn't mean the rest of the poem would. Sometimes the metaphors would refuse to come through. The imagery, no matter how hard you tried to paint it, would just not appear right. You would look everywhere for the perfect punchline to end the poem, but you would not find one. Life was telling you that just because you thought you were good with words did not mean that they would always come to you whenever you needed them. And sometimes, you just couldn’t write a poem, just like you could not write your life into poetry.

I Hate Books | Naseeba Babale

Are Poets Cowards? – #Naseeba

I Hate Poetry – #Naseeba

Everything Here

Ismail Bala

Perhaps, Bala has not set out with such contemplation in this collection as the poems herein are the dialogue of two lovers we are conscripted into attending. But more happens.

Nasiba Babale

Moments. Fleeting. Art captures them, or some part of their essence, in a specific form. Poetry gives us an expression that beautifies this capture through various devices and renditions that, if done well, leave us with something to hold on to.

Stories From Young African Poets: The Want Of Freedom And Adulthood of Salama Wainaina.

PRESS RELEASE- ABUJA INTERNATIONL POETRY FESTIVAL 2024

We are curious to explore these expansive dynamics, and we will do this virtually and in-person in 3 days, from Thursday 14 - Saturday 16 November , 2024, with established and emerging poets  from across the world through Knowledge Diffusion Sessions, Poetry Master-classes, A Village of Languages, Panels/Readings and Feedback Sessions, the traditional Poetry Concert, a Poetry Party (poems apostle should not hear) and a Ride-for-Climate-Change activity with Jeje Riders.

Stories From Young African Poets: The Grief And Poetry Of Agboola Tariq Adebola.

I was a teenager still when I got to know grief personally. I would sit alone in my room reminiscing about the memories we shared & I would write poems that came right from the heart, unlike the rhymes I wrote, which I believe are more of intellect than expression. 

Cafe 24 Calls For Submissions.

As the year continues to run, the call continues with this month’s theme being “lost and found”. What are those events you have thoughts of constantly? Those emotions, those people, those opportunities? Have you that one poem that speaks to the heart of our theme? Then this call is for you.

Stories From Young African Poets: South-Sudanese War, Poetry And Mk Kuol.

for her sleep-sedated lambs who will awake later & demand flowers

ABOUT TIME (A Children’s Poem) by Soye Aguda