I would tear pages from my books and write what I felt. Unfortunately, my mum found the papers. I was beaten black and blue. I stopped talking and writing. I now write like my life depends on it, because it does.

...meaning, a peaceful day in June is a cold day in July; bullets are like raindrops on the mother of green...

I confess that I too would die to reach for the clouds. half abstraction. clouds which exist in half abstraction. you my dear, exist in half abstraction as

Babale was a columnist for Konya Shams Rumi and a lover of arts. She co-curated the maiden edition of Kano International Poetry Festival. She is the author of the chapbook The Rain is Like You (Konya Shams Rumi, 2023) and the poetry collection Pickled Moments (Konya Shams rumi, 2024). She hails from Kano State, Nigeria.

I cannot write a poem that does not originate from some deep part of me, and usually, these poems feature people, things, or situations I feel connected to. My mother’s poem being my first significant poem just reminds me that I have not lost that part of me even as I get older. I am grateful for that. 

Heiress is set to release Carl Terver’s Glory to the Sky on August 25, 2024.Carl Terver is known as one of Nigeria’s best contemporary writers, mostly of the essay form, and a well-rounded critic.

Poets, especially younger poets are encouraged to send in a single original, unpublished poem. Please inform us immediately if the submitted work is published elsewhere before the winner is announced. Previously submitted work is ineligible.

When I finally meet her I will bloom satisfaction Pluck enough to reshape into hope Track back to this moment and Seduce the small skeptic sizes Of me into waiting a bit longer

...meaning, a peaceful day in June is a cold day in July; bullets are like raindrops on the mother of green...

My poetry was informed by loss—the regurgitation of constant emotions from the influence of this loss.