The poems celebrate African heritage, highlighting traditional dances, ancestral stories, and significant figures like Desmond Tutu. It emphasizes the importance of preserving cultural traditions and the wisdom passed down through generations.
THREE POEMS ABOUT CHILDHOOD | by Ivan de Monbrison
The talented poet offers three evocative poems about childhood. The first reflects on a past marked by fragmented reality and emotional turmoil. The second explores the hollow nature of existence with a sense of drowning in meaninglessness. The third depicts an escape from confinement, only to confront an erasure of identity.
‘The Cradle in Mama’s Old Room | a poem by Saadatu Uzairu
The poem reflects on the memories and emotions associated with a cradle that symbolizes motherhood and lost hopes. It captures the silent grief and enduring pain of a mother who keeps the cradle as a blessing despite the sorrows.
NOTHING WAS LEFT EXCEPT THE ASH | a short story by Daniel Echezonachi Maxwell
A mother’s hopeful farewell to her son, who dreams of success abroad, turns tragic as he returns as ashes after succumbing to illness. The story poignantly captures the pain of loss, the harsh reality of unrealized dreams, and the mother’s unending love and sorrow as she holds onto his remains.
‘TO HEAL A BUTTERFLY’ / ‘LIBERATION’ | two poems by Mayowa Oladeji
“To Heal a Butterfly” is a poignant portrayal of a girl’s traumatic and abusive childhood, searching for safety and solace. “Liberation” captures personal and societal struggles, touching on grief, love, and the quest for freedom amidst adversity. Written by Mayowa Oladeji, a Nigerian poet and playwright, it highlights themes of pain, resilience, and hope.
‘THIS POEM IS NOT AN ELEGY’ / ‘THE NEWS’ / ‘MY PEOPLE’ / ‘PERFECTIONIST’ | four poems by Emmanuel Karibi Obuala
“This Poem is Not an Elegy” expresses unrest for justice against wrongdoing and the struggle against a desensitized society. “The News” portrays the constant barrage of violent news, breeding fear and paranoia. “My People” discusses societal pressures to conform, while “Perfectionist” reflects the challenges of artistic creation. Emmanuel Karibi Obuala is a Nigerian poet and literary enthusiast.
‘EMOTION TACTILE’ / ‘FROM YOUR BELOVED DEAD’ / ‘WEEPING FALLS’ | three poems by Andre Bshara
The poem “Emotion Tactile” explores the various types of touch and their emotional impacts. “From Your Beloved Dead” reflects on the lingering presence of a lost love through sensory memories. “Weeping Falls” portrays nature’s sorrow in response to environmental degradation. Andre Bshara is a resident physician specializing in Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, with interests in global healthcare and personal hobbies like reading and gaming.
IF ONLY HE WAS A GIRL | a short story by Maria Oluwabukola Oni
Sodiq once told him that putting strands from his eyelashes on his father’s footwear could make him forget to flog him. He didn’t believe it, but Sodiq was Alfa Sulaimon’s son and what better time to test the hypothesis than now when he faced imminent agony?
‘THE POET ‘ / ‘THE REIGN ‘ / ‘GROWING PAINS ‘ / ‘JANICE’ | four poems by Ant Mac
Voices speak in the background to form and shape subliminal messages
using a language that circulates and resonates while increasing in volume
until it can no longer be ignored or contained.
The Lost Laughter: An Analysis of Gabriel Okara’s “Once Upon a Time”
Gabriel Okara’s Once Upon a Time is a profound meditation on the erosion of authenticity in the face of societal change. Through its accessible narrative style, potent metaphors, and effective use of contrast and repetition, the poem powerfully articulates a universal yearning for a return to genuine human connection and a critique of the masks we learn to wear.