The archive Creative Process Poem by Samuel Asein · 1970 CREATIVE PROCESS SAMUEL ASEIN Scented ideas floatingin the mind’s suspensioncourt my soul like an evasive ladyon a first appointmentwith love. Mosaic of hued ideastender-lipped wordssink and float, weights and balancesof flagellating conceptslike sperms dazzling vanishing pointsof intermittent illuminationsof glow worms; faint suggestions and rejectionsthe ravished […]
The archive Sleep of Innocence Poem by Odia Ofeimun · 1970 SLEEP OF INNOCENCE ODIA OFEIMUN Another hawk tears through the wombof the night— gruesome go-crashof a million soulsin the speech of automation,the thrust of a monster-thoughtjolting your sleep; Comes oppressive silence,convulsing the selves in wild sensationsof prostrate-innocence, guilt. Mooning love, do not wakein this filthied […]
The archive “Pool-Game Na Wa” Poem by ’Sanmi-Ebora Ogunjobi · 1970 “POOL-GAME NA WA” ’SANMI-EBORA OGUNJOBI (Written Pidgin English) Oh! which kan blow bin thisFour Pounds don go this week againE no include that oneWey I pay on banker “Arsenal Ah! Failing to draw”Tottenham “Sure banker”Liverpool “Oh E no draw”Wessex “Yes he enter”Two out of […]
The archive THIS VAST WILDERNESS OF LIFE Poem by Chris. Awonuga · 1970 THIS VAST WILDERNESS OF LIFE Man moves about in a worldThat is not his ownAnd revels in abysmal ignorance;He gropes his way about,Stumbling at various points;Still he tries to find his wayIn this vast wilderness of Life. He knows not what he […]
The archive Igbekoyi (Reoccurring Child) Poem by ’Sanmi-Ebora Ogunjobi · 1970 ’Sanmi-Ebora Ogunjobi Often have you comeDeceiving the WorldThat it will be to stayLike a good child under her mother’s careBut all in a suddenYou do disappearNow, Your yearly burialHas to endAnd you have to stayBecause “Igbekoyi” (even the bush refuses this) Editor’s note: Archived from […]
The archive ‘Half-a-Word’ Poem by ’Sanmi-Ebora Ogunjobi · 1970 ‘HALF-A-WORD’ I’ll tell you ‘half-a-word’which the elders sayIs enough for the wiseFor whenIt is digestedIt becomes full whole Now,In that your placeWhere sour is given for sweetSincerity lacks foundation‘Give-and-take’ seek admirersI sayYour conscienceIs the real judge Here,my ‘half-a-word’ ’Sanmi-Ebora Ogunjobi EDITOR’S NOTEArchived from Nigeria Magazine, Sunday, […]
The archive Arbour Days Poem by U. Eweka · 1970 During the month of MayAll the days are arbour daysDrilled to the foresters’ swayIn all we know are his ways. From the nurseries to the farmsThe crops have tender handling,And woe-be-tide he who harmsThe tender roots of a sapling. With the tenderest care the saplingsAre […]
The archive Dry Season Poem by Dan Awodoye · 1970 DRY SEASON The dry-plain Northbelchesand everyone becomesher petto powder The free-flour winda dust merchanttumblesin the throatfeeding the fed She convulses and vomitsand bumpsin to the masteror the servantshe knows no rank Her last feast ofcheap dustleaves on her patha stranger victim onflying visit And when […]
The archive FOR MOTHER Poem by Odia Ofeimun · 1970 FOR MOTHER Nene …the shadows are overgrownthis afternoon in my heart;the burden of uncertainties assail mewith a feckless ravish- I do not know whether to cry or laugh. Each day saps me dryof the red-green that you gave mein ellipses of hopeto halo my dreams. […]
The archive Farewell to City of Moats Poem by Jacob E. Obaseki · 1970 FAREWELL TO CITY OF MOATS Through the ages fame still resoundIn thy ancient spot enviable things lie aroundSo earlier vowed, from city would never partStill by foreigners envied, thy famous ageless artOh enviable seat of once mighty kingdomSo peaceful ruled by […]