Poetry: "Clotting of a Bleeding Heart" by Ibrahim Abdul Hameed

Feelings are supposedly blind,

But even then, boundaries exists, never to be trespassed,

Greatest of all, is love, bane and cross, of the cursed,

For you'll turn a blind eye to all, and have your actions back bite you,

Special Feature: "Divine Passion" and other poems by Nadine Jessel

  

DIVINE PASSION

Dear melodic breeze
encircling passion’s meadow

Dance in the paradise
of my domain
for the bouquet of affection
which stems from my desire
to love

In the exquisite radiance
of the Divine
the richness of splendor is unveiled
flourishing as the blossoms
within the pinnacle
of the Universe ~NJ~

Nadine Jessel – Copyright © - 2015 – All Rights Reserved
From My Heart ~ To Your Soul (R)

A POET’S PEN

A poetic pen
possesses infinite possibilities
of exquisite narratives
resonating upon the beckoning fingers
of every page

Nigerian Students Poetry Prize: 30 Poems Longlisted

Poets in Nigeria (PIN) is delighted to announce the longlist for the Nigerian Students Poetry Prize 2016 which was declared open to submissions on 15th January, 2016 amidst positive reactions. Upon closure, entries numbering 400 were received from students drawn from 64 tertiary institutions, viz, Federal Universities & Polytechnics, State Universities & Polytechnics, Private Universities, Colleges of Education and Seminary Schools.

Having subjected the poems received to critical examination, the Judging Panel has made available a list of top 30 poems in no particular order.

The longlisted entries are:

Book Reviews: Critical review by Akwu Sunday Victor of "EFEEGA War of Ants by Amali Idris" and "Punctured Silence by Kolade Olanrewaju Freedom"

  Angst-filled Sputum in EFEEGA War of Ants – A Review by Akwu Sunday Victor

Poetry serves diverse functions to man. In societies that decorum is enforced by the rule of law, poetry loses its revolutionary potency and is seen as art, existing for its own sake. However, in Nigeria, a country where abnormalities have been normalized, illegalities legalized, poetry loses its elitist place of domicile and becomes a tool in the arsenal of the subaltern class in class. Thus, the place of angst-filled poetry is still relevant even in the Twenty First century. Idris Amali, a professor of Oral Literature is a contemporary of Niyi Osundare, Okimba Launko, Tanure Ojaide, Ezenwa Ohaeto and other second generation Nigerian poets.  The poetry collection, EFEEGA War of Ants, is divided into seven subsections and each has a title: “Desert of Needs”, “Pride in Filth”, “Restless Abodes”, “Struggle”, “Exchanges”, “Dine with the Past” and “War of Ants.” The collection, more so, has sixty five poems.

        The cover page of the collection speaks volume of its thematic thrust. A dead elephant lies under a bloody and chaotic moon and ants meander over the gigantic dead beast, lacerating its armored skin with angry mandibles. Professor Bello Bada in his endorsement of the poetry collection says, that, “in this new volume, EFEEGA: War of Ants, the poet exposes the elephant – a behemoth that must be dethroned for the restoration of decency and sanity.” Indubitably, in the mood of jeremiad, the poet laments the devastation of the nation’s treasury and natural resources by the gluttonous and greedy ruling elite. Most of the poems are laced with images of squalor, misery and impoverishment which are orchestrated by the absence of good leadership. In the poem, “From the Pond,” an image of a young herdsman is painted. The fellow “squats” beside a filthy pond where his cows are splashing filthy water in the air and begins drinking. This specimen of nature who is immune from material advancement of humanity will later assume the throne and become leader tomorrow. The poets wails thus, ‘He lives today in a pool with his cows/ And from the cow pond to govern our thoughts/And administer our welfare” (19).

Saturday Special: FUNNY, STRANGE & FACTUAL

                               Welcome to the another edition of FUNNY, STRANGE & FACTUAL

Just for laugh gags though. lol

Never give up. 

Special Feature: '' The Birth of Death" by Binogun Winifred

                                             

Tonight, I had a baby girl, another baby girl, a seventh baby girl. The midwives hired by my husband had left me immediately the baby came out. They knew Oke would not pay for their services as usual since it was not the heir he so much wanted.

Blinking mechanically, more consciously than unconsciously, I tried to fight the barrage of emotions inside of me. I could feel myself floating upon water, wondering if this was the end of it all, if I was dying. In that single moment of perceived transition, I enjoyed pure bliss for the first time. To die would be better than facing mockery again. I still had debts in the market incurred from buying food for my daughters whom Oke had sworn not to feed. If death should possess me, then I would be eternally free from looming travails.

Chicken Soup Special: Get paid $200 for a Poem or Story.

According to their website:

“If we publish your story or poem, you will be paid $200 ($100 for devotionals) one month after publication of the book and you will receive ten free copies of the book your story or poem appears in. You will also become part of the Chicken Soup for the Soul family, you will receive our exclusive contributors’ communiqué and you will be entitled to buy cases of books from us at a discount.”


The following categories have deadlines that are approaching:

Short Story Series: Concluding part of ''Ofada Kitchen'' by Oyelude Yetunde

                                                                 Ofada Kitchen    

      

 "Daddy, so you've been in love with mommy since your university days? And mommy keeps  telling Aunty Tofunmi not to have a boyfriend whereas she is already in the university." Kehinde said roguishly. He was just a boy of ten but his brain always seemed too smart for his age. Tofunmi was his older cousin who had just gained admission into the University of Lagos.

          

His twin sister, Taiwo, was completely fed up with her brother's constant interruption. She wished something could silence him till their dad concluded the love story. To her, Kehinde was  a momental pest!

          

 Demilade laughed. "Don't mind your mother. She knows perfectly well that love can attack you anytime. She is just being protective of Tofunmi because the university is a place where one can either get lost or move forward. That is why she told your cousin to beware of boys. Not every man is gentle like your father." He gave a naughty wink at his twins.

             

 Taiwo rolled her eyes lazily and sighed. Her father was boring her with all these talk. She needed him to get back to the main story. "Yes, we know all that Daddy, you are the gentlest man in the whole world." Taiwo said rather sarcastically. "Now, can we please get back to the story. How did you win mummy over?"

                 *                                                               *                                                               *

   

Poetry: '' Friend" by Janet Olabisi Ogundepo

FRIEND

Friend,

In you, I reflect,

To you, I look.

Serve a pathway to my craved being;

turn me not away.

Friend,

To you, I listen

To you , I tell

turn not deaf ears to me

like my words are breathless.

Friend,

Before you I empty

my abyss of emotions.

Will you please heed

to my yearnings?

Saturday Special: FUNNY, STRANGE & FACTUAL

                  Welcome to the another edition of FUNNY, STRANGE & FACTUAL

So so sympathetic

Cute!

Short Story Series: Ofada Kitchen V by Oyelude Yetunde

                                                                  Ofada Kitchen V

  

Three months trickled by, hoisting the flag of the newly found affection between Demi and Sewa. The memories of Demi confessing his undying love to Sewa still lingered freshly in her memories as they sat under the same tree, on that plastered seat in Balewa park.

          

The day was old as it was gradually succeeded by the full moon and twinkling stars. Both illuminating the night’s serenity, as Sewa relaxed in Demi’s encompassing arms. Sewa sold out the dominant silence, tickling Demi who jolted backwards and wasted no time in reciprocating the act. And in no time, they were lost in the realm of fun, giggling uncontrollably at the tingling sensation of the continuous tickling. Sewa was still trying to regain composure in-between tickles by Demi when a message popped on Demi’s phone placed beside her. And before Demi could reach for it, Sewa had playfully grabbed it.

           

Demi tried retrieving the phone from Sewa proved abortive as Sewa kept dangling the phone evasively before him. It was like gaining pleasure in dangling a piece of bone before a dog. Demi decided to give up, consoling himself with the fact that he would see the message later. Sewa was obviously enjoying the moment..

Romantic and Crime thriller : "Nemesis" by Akinyode Peace

                                                NEMESIS

I crossed the present to the future and by the time I got back to Micheal’s house, the sun was already giving way to the moon and its cohort – darkness. I opened the half opened  door to find him reclined in a sofa faraway into dreamland, with his innocently studly face almost stripping me of my mission there. I moved closer to him shutting my eyes, as I plunged the knife into his stomach repeatedly, until I could hear him gasp no more. I slowly released my eyelids to jolt back in fright as his battered flesh gushed blood from his lifeless body. Cold shivers sent tickles through my spines as I turned to dash out, dropping the dripping knife…
          *                                                         *                                                *                        
Michael was the Superman every lady fantasised. Aside his political prowess on campus, he was tall, a bit fair, aesthetically built and remarkably handsome with his lush smile and husky voice being the cake’s icing. His physical qualities and acclaimed intellectuality floored his average academic performance. “Joy, bequeath to my Eagle, wings, that we might tour the world together, forever”, were the last words that night that released the long melted wax in me. I was always going to accept his vastly craved proposal, but I had to make him hunt deep for the priced jewel I was. I had outrightly turned down proposals from other  guys but Michael mysteriously got under my sleeves, I fell in love with him from our first contact.

Poetry: On Your Own by Bona Solomon

                It’s a rainy day,

               Nobody’s feeling gay.

              The hoary heads keep calm,

              Creating friction between their palms.

              From life’s first cry,

             All we do is try.

             We keep the tears away

             Mercurial it becomes indeed.

            Till life's final breath,

            To carry on is the pledge,

            Executively the best way forward.

Short Story Series: Ofada Kitchen IV by Oyelude Yetunde

The evening was calm, breathing solace through the breeze.  Demilade was in the company of his friends when Adesewa crossed his mind again. Two weeks have plodded by, taking along three extra days, yet no sign of Adesewa. Demi closed his eyes and inhaled deeply. The darkness of the temporal blindness could not overshadow his memories of Adesewa’s beautiful face.

        

 "Guy, how far na? Are you not eating too?" One of Demi's friends asked, oblivious of his friend's subconsciousness.

            
  "Demi!," the other yelled when Demi remained mute, obviously still lost in thought.

            "Huh!" Demi said all of a sudden, like he just jerked awake from a bad dream.  "Are you guys talking to me?" His friends stared at him in amazement and it wasn't until he looked around, that he realized they were still seated under the bamboo shed outside ofada kitchen and had been deliberating on what to eat before he sunk in his pool of thoughts. "Oh! food, ehn let's go in na" Demi could now guess what his friends had been asking him about.

            

 Demi's friends shook their heads, laughing out loud at him as they all sauntered in. Demi was not bothered by their jest of him. He couldn't blame them. They were yet to have their thoughts consumed just by one person. Demi now gave his gaze to the sightless floor as he stepped into the canteen. Anytime he stepped into Ofada kitchen now, something always struck his heart. He raised his head to glance over the counter as usual to behold the recently reoccurring feat of finding it void of Sewa. But on glancing at the counter, his heart missed a beat. The antidote to his unsettled  thoughts was right there.

        

 Sewa, engrossed in attending to the lined up customers, had no idea she was being watched by a dazed Demi who couldn't quantify the plethora of bliss and affection that coursed through him as he stood watching her. Sewa was casually taking in her surroundings when she thought she saw Demi. She narrowed her head this time, towards the canteen's entrance just to be sure she wasn’t giving in to imaginations, only for her eyes and Demi's to  interlock. It was surely her Demi.

        

Communicators League: Call for Submissions

Poised to hoist the flag of creativity for societal uplift, Communicators League (CL) calls for submissions of works aligning with the following categories/columns:

Written Literature

·            Prose

·            Short stories

·            Flash fictions

·            Poetry

·            Essays

·            Memoirs

Visual Arts Column 

·            Art works: paintings, drawings and graphic designs.

·            Photography: Still life & Wildlife

 Reviews section: Concise reviews on

·            Books

·            Movies

Oratory Section

·            Spoken Word (audio and video formats)

·            Poetry recitations (audio format)

·            Songs (audio format)

·            Freestyles (audio and video formats)

NOTE:

Ø  Entries can be on any theme.

Ø  All entries must be intellectual properties of all entrants.

Ø  Entrants will be notified via email or phone number when their works are accepted for publication on www.communicatorsleague.com.

Ø  Submissions are welcomed always. Forward your submissions (including your biography and photograph) via email: communicatorsleague@gmail.com

Makinde Damilola Peter 

COO, Communicators League