The inaugural edition of the Brigitte Poirson Literature Prize, BPLP 2023, has concluded with a flourish, announcing joint winners for short fiction—Divine Inyang Titus and Elisha Oluyemi, and poetry winner Opeyemi Mensah Felix Bello.
‘THIS IS NOT A CURSE’ / ‘LIMBS’ / ‘ABBA’ / ‘THE STRUGGLE OF THE PATIENT’ / ‘LAUGHTER’ | five poems by Afra Adil Ahmad
But once your laughter fades,
I’m reminded of everything that is broken in this world,
everything broken about my heart.
Brigitte Poirson Literature Prize 2023: Unveiling the Shortlist!
Eight poems and five short stories have been shortlisted for the 2023 Brigitte Poirson Literature Prize (BPLP). The winners will receive a $300 cash prize and other rewards.
Brigitte Poirson Literature Prize 2023: Unveiling the Longlist!
Twenty poems and ten short stories have been longlisted by the judges of the 2023 Brigitte Poirson Literature Prize with rewards including a $300 cash prize.
WANDERER | a poem by Oyelola Adeola Ogunrinde
I arose from my bed, my dream, my fears
Towards an unknown destination
‘DEATH GAVE BIRTH TO MY FATHER IN THE PARADISE OF LOVE ‘ / ‘MANGROVE GIANT ‘ / ‘MEN IN OUR DUNGEON’ | three poems by Abubakar Auwal
From my mother’s words emerged a girl,
Her hair a cascade on my eyelashes unfurled.
Simultaneously, I am but a line,
In a poem where my mother’s a verse so divine.
‘A WIDOW’S CRY’ / ‘AGBADA’ / ‘HAMMER ON OUR SKIN’ / ‘CONTEMPLATIONS’ | four poems by Leonard Ifeanyi Ugwu, Jr.
To keep the blood linage or bear a son for the dead.
She becomes the brother’s inheritance.
‘SYMPHONY OF SOULS’ / ‘WHEN MY BREATH NO LONGER WHISPERS’ / ‘REQUIEM FOR RICHES’ | three poems by Olaseni Kehinde Precious
Tomorrow, I may vanish like the morning mist,
Which gracefully dissipates beneath the caress of sun’s smile
So, when I find my room beneath the earth’s embrace
Do not afflict your eyes with desolate tears
ivoryless corpses litter our lands | a BITL protest poem by Kukogho Iruesiri Samson
when shall the stop these haunting hunts
that turns trumpetting to dying grunts?
Announcing the Judges for the Eriata Oribhabor Poetry Prize (EOPP) 2023
The Judges for the Eriata Oribhabor Poetry Prize (EOPP) 2023 are Jide Badmus, Adedayo Agarau, and Chika Jones, renowned poets with remarkable literary backgrounds.