The closest identity I embody is that of water. Fluid, adaptable, under pressure to clean and under pressure to remain clean. That is how I explain my external impressions and internal turmoil.

Most of the poems I write comes from a place of epiphany, but these epiphanies too are not accidental since they are thoughts, feelings and emotions that have gone through subconscious grooming or an internal workshop.

But there are some poems that pretty much write themselves, they just come to me and it is as easy as me putting pen to paper. These happen in the middle of conversation, or because I saw a bird fly, or thought about the smile of a boy, or because it’s raining outside.

I don’t think anyone has one identity, especially when they’re alone. I cannot stand being one thing or being the same thing every day.

We have come home by Lenrie Peters remains my most fascinating poem. Every time I read this poem, I get fresh energy from it!

Africa is history, Africa is culture, Africa is legacy. The continent that needs no other continent to function if only we were allowed to manage and control our resources as Africans. Africa is the lightning that brings the rain.

The poem called Society’s Creed. It speaks about a host of the social issues that plague our society as depicted by a news briefing I happened to watch one evening.

How many times have we heard or read about the preventable deaths of people and changed the channel or flipped to the next page as if the deaths of human beings deserve no attention? This is true for many people.

These lines are so evocative, here is a love that withholds nothing and l literally hear that beautiful, precious alabaster box/life breaking whenever l read these lines.

I love love love the poems of Mary Oliver. Like me, she has spoken about her love for the poetry of Rumi. You can see it in her use of simple yet effective imagery and her clear descriptions of love. Her poem Wild Geese is one that I often share, write into cards and letters and even recorded myself reading to send to my mum when she was having a difficult day.