Stories From Young African Poets: Love and Poetry of Boluwatife Emmanuel.

…You’re my rhythm.
Anytime I put pen to paper,
You’re the reason I laid down my vulnerabilities.

I undressed my emotions, so you could see
The nakedness of my soul.

But you seem to have no clue…

My journey as a poet began unexpectedly, sparked by a feeling that would change me forever: love. It was during my basic school days when I first met her – a classmate who would become the object of my affections. My heart became irretrievably inclined towards her. My heart is a canvas, and she’s the artist who painted it with vibrant colors.

Though our love remained unrequited, the experience awakened a deep well of emotions within me. I began to feel things intensely – the thrill of hope, the agony of rejection, and the bittersweet nostalgia of memories. These emotions swirled inside me like a storm, threatening to overwhelm me at times.

It was during this period that I discovered the therapeutic power of poetry. I began to write as a way to process my emotions, to make sense of the chaos within me. The act of creating became a cathartic release, allowing me to channel my feelings into something beautiful and meaningful.

I found solace in the written word. Poetry became my confidant, my comfort, and my passion. I devoured the works of great poets, marveling at their ability to capture the human experience in all its complexity. I experimented with different forms, styles, and themes, gradually finding my own unique voice.

Through poetry, I was able to express the inexpressible, to give voice to the emotions that threatened to consume me. I wrote about love, loss, longing, hope and the universal human experiences that connect us all.

Looking back, I realize that my experience of unrequited love was the catalyst for my poetry journey. It taught me to tap into my emotions, to explore the depths of human feeling, and to find meaning in the complexities of life.

Today, poetry remains an integral part of my life. It is my sanctuary, my creative outlet, and my passion. I continue to write, inspired by the world around me, and driven by a desire to capture the beauty, complexity, and mystery of human experience.

In the end, it was not the outcome of that love that defined me, but the journey itself. The pain, the joy, and the growth that came from it have shaped me into the person I am today – a poet, a writer, and a seeker of truth and beauty.


I know you’re a wonder, but the wonder
Is how you’ve managed to put my heart under lock and key

You’re my rhythm.
Anytime I put pen to paper,
You’re the reason I laid down my vulnerabilities.

I undressed my emotions, so you could see
The nakedness of my soul.

But you seem to have no clue
Of what hurt the most:
To be seen as just a friend
By the one you love most.

Sometimes, saying “I love you”
Is not the only way to profess love.
“I will always be here for you”
Could also do the justice.

We could be better off
Being just friends,
If only you could see it.

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Hannah Omokafe Dennis

Hannah Omokafe Dennis Is A 24-year-old Journalist, Voice-Over artist and UNFPA Adolescent Sexual Reproductive Health Rights Advocate Living In Nigeria. She Currently Serves As A Community Manager In Konya Shamsrumi AndHas Some Of Her Written Works Published On Writer's Space Africa and audio stories on Genti media. She Enjoys Using Words And Her Voice To Tell Stories. She Tweets @Omokafe_forite.

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