A multiple-award winning poet, Showunmi Olawale Michael, has won the maiden edition of the ALBERT JUNGERS POETRY PRIZE with a triple-acrostic entitled “A PEOPLE’S HOPE”.
Michael, a graduate of Accounting from Moshood Abiola Polytechnic (MAPOLY), Abeokuta, will receive the competition’s top prize, a brand new Aspire E11 laptop computer, at the Words Rhymes & Rhythm Poetry Festival holding on December 12, 2015 at the University of Ibadan.
The Ogun state indigene is fond of political satires, nature, love, religious themes. He has been published in several poetry anthologies, including: ‘Wind of Change’ (BPPC Anthology), ‘Epistle of Lies’, ‘Via Grapevine II’. Many of his poems have also appeared in the Words Rhymes & Rhythm poetry sharing platform (www.poetry.wrr.ng).
The winning poem, “A PEOPLE’S HOPE”, is a rhymed modification of the tricky acrostic poetry form which was incidentally introduced to Nigerian poets by Fr. Albert Jungers in one of his numerous lectures before his demise. The poem, which had previously won the May edition of the BRIGITTE POIRSON POETRY CONTEST (BPPC), emerged winner from nearly a thousand entries.
Here is the winning poem, A PEOPLE’s HOPE:
Don’t put your hope in earthly man:
He is no messiah, saviour, neither both.
It’s like a cozy wish in a hot pan
Don’t put your hope in earthly man.This hope is like a vainly yawn:
Draining and wrecking our life boat!
Don’t put your hope in earthly man:
He is no messiah, saviour, neither both!Don’t put your hope in earthly man:
He is no messiah, saviour, neither both.
No man in his own power can…
Don’t put your hope in earthly man.Don’t go where others have thus ran,
Believing therein is the antidote.
Don’t put your hope in earthly man:
He is no messiah, saviour, neither both!Don’t put your hope in earthly man:
He is vain. Nothing can he offer.
God is the only true SAN.
Don’t put your hope in earthly man.A people’s hope rest not in some clan,
But in the Father- the Light and Order.
Don’t put your hope in earthly man:
He is vain! Nothing can he offer!
***SAN- Senior Advocate of Nations
ABOUT THE PRIZE:
The ALBERT JUNGERS POETRY PRIZE (AJPP) was instituted in 2014 by Words Rhymes & Rhythm CEO, Kukogho Iruesiri Samson, in honor of late Fr. Albert Jungers (1948 – 2013). It is an annual contest meant to encourage and reward young Nigerian poets.
Fr. Al, as he was fondly called, was until his death, was an instructor and dear ‘father’ to young Nigerian poets in the WRR College of Poetry. He was an extra brilliant poet who brought different forms to life with simple instructions. Fr. Al was so patient and accessible that most members of the WRR Poetry movement have had their writing life, if not all their lives, affected by his greatness.
The AJPP is powered by by Words Rhymes & Rhythm, Nigerian largest poetry reorientation platform and fastest growing publishing company.
Is there a way Fr Al’s family could donate to the prize each year
We would appreciate the support of the family beginning from the 2016 edition. This year is already settled. The award ceremony is coming on the 12th of December. All we need is your blessing for this edition. If you could write us a letter signed by the family, we could read it at the award ceremony. We would love that, I would love that even more.