African Poetry

With exquisite clarity and poise, Nondwe Mpuma's debut collection guides us through dreamscapes of ritual, harvest and destitution - of tornado-stricken villages, mythical beings, and the eternally evanescent promise of love. Grounded by understated and precise verse, Mpuma weaves together the spiritual and the natural with effortless, imagistic flair. In Peach Country there is celebration, mourning, meditation, prayer, exploration, impatience and joy; throughout, however, Mpuma maintains an open-eyed wonder at the entirety of existence, viewed from her particular, and particularly enchanting, corner of the world.

In the struggle within and without, between war and love, poet Emanuel Kane wanders through the world of conflict and peace that defines our lives. From souls lost in the battlefield to children lost in times too quiet, the author uncovers the horror of humanity's worst instincts and the redemption brought in the peace of home.Praise for Emanuel Kane's poetry:"The poems have a pleasing grace, a fierce urgency . . . a talented poet."-Gwendolyn Brooks, Pulitzer Prize winning poet"[His] voice brings sanity and respect to our continent."-Leonard Koza, South African poet, translator, and literary critic"Stylistic recitation of meaningful [and] ... universal truths."-Desire Grogan, District of Columbia Public Library"A brilliantly conceived poetic feast. The poet demonstrates a remarkable breadth of knowledge and a stirring imagination full of tropes and metaphors that truly make this a great book." -Prof. Molefi K. Asante, Temple University, author of 87 books"Here is a poet of obvious high quality - a voice of pain and truth."-Blyden Jackson, University of North Carolina "There is blood on many of the pages. It's a reminder that the present is a dangerous place to live. [Kane] knows the beautiful ones have yet to be born."- E. Ethelbert Miller, Editor of Poet Lore magazine & Fulbright Scholar"This is poetry for the struggle for justice and peace."-Archbishop Desmond Tutu, 1984 Nobel Peace Prize winner

SHORTLISTED FOR THE TS ELIOT PRIZE 2025<BR>SHORTLISTED FOR THE JHALAK PRIZE 2026<BR>'(c) Codex' SHORTLISTED FOR THE FORWARD PRIZE FOR BEST SINGLE POEM<BR>LONGLISTED FOR THE GRIFFIN POETRY PRIZE 2026<BR><BR>'Profound, sheer originality... a tantalising jigsaw puzzle of a book' Tristram Fane-Saunders, Telegraph<BR><BR>In The New Carthaginians, time - and with it the world - is out of joint. A hijacked plane lands at Entebbe International Airport in 1976, triggering the crisis that will lead to Idi Amin's Uganda becoming a pariah state and, within a few years, to the young Nick Makoha's flight from the country. A mysterious writer daubs poetic slogans on the walls of late-'70s New York City, signing them SAMO(c). Three characters who are also one - the Poet, a Black Icarus and a resurrected Jean-Michel Basquiat - journey through a time that is both our own and not, watching TV, discussing art and literature and tucking their wings into their jackets on the way to airport security.<BR>Concerned throughout with flight and falling, the sample and the loop, The New Carthaginians is a poetry collection of staggering originality: a work by an author at the height of his powers, in which the familiar Western canons of art, history and philosophy are prised apart and reassembled in a new configuration. Drawing on Basquiat's technique of the 'exploded' collage, our heroes' odyssey gathers the symbols of a new mythos, through which the othering of Black life might be undone and the stage set for some fresh emergence, some transfigured understanding of myth and life. 'Hold that note,' writes the poet. 'In this place you are no longer the chorus ... In any future, remember you are a New Carthaginian.'<BR>A FINANCIAL TIMES BEST SUMMER BOOK OF POETRY 2025<BR>'In this book, Nick Makoha has found an otherworldly, visionary voice and diction that arrest you from the first page and never let you go.' Jason Allen-Paisant, Winner of the TS Eliot Prize<BR>

Der lang erwartete neue Gedichtband von Joachim SartoriusSind die Nächte, in denen ein Gedicht gelingt, die besseren Nächte? In seinem neuen Gedichtband stellt Joachim Sartorius diese Frage. Das Gedicht zählt - doch mehr noch Berührung, Nähe, Empathie in einer Welt, die von Not und Zerstörung gezeichnet ist. Zu Beginn des Bandes nimmt der Dichter die Gegenstände seines Arbeitszimmers in den Blick. Erinnerungen beginnen sich zu regen. Vogelflügel lösen sich von Schautafeln, eine Eidechse zuckt unter ihrem bronzenen Panzer, in einem Karton warten die ausrangierten Fotos eines Lebens. Joachim Sartorius führt uns in Schattenhäuser und zu mythischen Stätten, sichtet Artemis auf der Piazza, befragt die Pythia im Späti und zeigt uns jene Orte, die in seiner Lyrik schon länger einen zentralen Platz einnehmen, Sizilien, Tunis, Tanger, die Levante.Doch im Anblick der antiken Ruinen ziehen die Gedanken immer wieder zu den gegenwärtigen Versehrungen des Krieges, die vier Gedichte, die sie umkreisen, stehen im Zentrum des Bandes. Es folgt der Versuch einer Inventur dessen, was vergehen und was bleiben wird. Und geblieben sind dem Dichter immer die anderen Dichtenden. Die Wärme und der Trost der Berührung. Das Meer.

The poems in as if the music is coming from your own heart are written in sparse writing, simple and accessible language. There have the vitality and passion of youthful elegance. They are my thoughts, a young man grappling through life after school, trying to find his place in this huge universe. They deal with a gamut of issues. Voices from Within Us, the first collection in this double collection is mostly of love poems, the beginning of, the end of, the difficulty of keeping relationships floating in early adult lives. Counting the Stars, the second collection, deals with general life issues; politics, the AIDS pandemic which my generation confronted as they became of age in the 1990s, wars, destitute life in the streets, death, relationships, loss, the politics of experience, loneliness, thought patterns, consciousness and all sorts other existential dilemmas.

My book is a voice of a student passionate with literature. Transforming the class work to work of fiction and non-fiction.

WE REFUSE TO BE VICTIMS is a collection of prison poems, written by Sam Mugumya, a Ugandan political activist who has narrowly survived the abyss of the crunching injustice he has opposed for about a quarter of a century. The poet paints a lucid and lurid picture with not just words, but with blood, wrath and excruciating suffering. The 80 poems published in this collection for the first time were written by him in a tiny prison cell in the Democratic Republic of Congo, far from his home and family.When Mugumya fled his home country via the Democratic Republic of Congo, he ended up being arrested there after Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni informed his Congolese counterpart, President Joseph Kabila, that Sam Mugumya was a terrorist who should be arrested. Paradoxically, Mugumya was more secure in his cell than he would have been in Uganda, where the dissident activist would most likely have been eliminated.As the poet mirrors his life on paper secretly in his prison cell, he almost gives up, as one day in his sixth year of his incarceration the prison wardens confiscate his manuscripts, crippling his spirit. But with the encouragement from his inmates, he starts afresh, thus the rebirth of this collection, which entirely describes dictatorial regimes and ruthlessness in the most vivid manner, and the harsh realities of any political prisoner, especially in jail out of his home country.

Life with its complexities of beauty and sadness, happiness and sadness, success and struggle, clarity and uncertainty. We all search for meaning, connection, and purpose.This is a personal and honest look at what it means to be human. It explores the contradictions and challenges that shape us, and the journey of self-discovery that helps us grow.Through vulnerability and courage, we confront our fears, doubts, and struggles, and learn valuable lessons. This is an invitation to explore your own experiences, and discover new insights.It's a reminder that we're not alone in our struggles, and that even in tough times, there's always hope.

Emerging voices Across Africa, is a book that calls for good governance amongst Africa nations. A book that condemn bloodshed and call for dialogue as a way of solving conflict in the society.

"hidden in the pocket of her heart'schamber is a lamp for warmth.comfort she discovers in a houseon the mystical planes of Barzakh...the bridge,in a dance with the sister of doom,becoming a vivid lantern throughthe act of falling on one's face,time and again...lovely signs,as we borrow delicate hues from alight upon light,to shine back into the world like aprism...""her abode is an empty street withfog and flickering lights for company,where spectres saunter and snicker atthe sight of her face.a body ruined from languishing night after nightin search of the ideal door to knock on,a meeting with phantoms...to touch a memory,or hold a moment,colours from a previous life..."

"The Man Who Should Die" by Ocheni Kazeem Oneshojo is a contemplative journey through loss, survival, and cultural identity. Centered on a father's tragic battle with addiction and the rituals that bind a family, these poems navigate grief's sharp edges and fragile hopes. From smoky backyard feasts in "Bat" to a harrowing night on Nigeria's roads in "July 31st, 2013," Oneshojo blends vivid storytelling with quiet introspection. Death lingers as both adversary and teacher, while tributes to literary giants like Okigbo honor poetry's timeless power. A reflective, grounded collection that bridges personal pain and universal resilience.

Exclusive edition for kids , that goes deeper into poetry and literature. It's written in English and some Swahili . Just to allow kids to grow and prosper in literature.

Für die Neuausgabe wurde die Übersetzung einer umfassenden Revision unterzogen.

90 Classic titles celebrating 90 years of Penguin Books<BR><BR>Best known for his existentialist novel The Outsider, set in French-occupied Algeria, Albert Camus was profoundly influenced by the landscapes, towns and traditions of his youth. Selected here are some of his finest personal essays about Algeria and its environs, including the luminous 'Nuptials at Tipasa', one of his earliest works where he developed the themes that would inform his later philosophy: to thrive now, without hope for paradise, as mortal life alone can be worthwhile.

Discover a Tapestry of Emotions and Insights with this Innovative and Captivating Collection of Modern Poetry! Dive into the evocative world of A Singular Eternity: Poems and Observations; 01-06, 2022, by Ras Adé-Afrika. This little gem, packed with Innovative and imaginative language, stretches the boundaries of traditional verse! This collection resonates with the essence of today's existence, offering a kaleidoscope of emotions, social reflections, and personal revelations, couched in creative poetics.Ras Adé-Afrika's poetic lens reflects personal growth, historical observation, and the audacity to question prevailing norms. A Singular Eternity is a tapestry of diverse themes - from the feminist movement's impact in "Back in the 70's" to contemplating highways' cultural impact in "On the Road." With humor, introspection, and fantastical exploration, these verses offer a unique and multifaceted perspective on contemporary life.This collection is more than poetry; it's a journey, a reflection, and an exploration of the human experience. A Singular Eternity invites poetry enthusiasts to embrace the transcendent beauty of language, the liberating power of reflection, and the transformative nature of artistic expression.

Diaspora is witnessing a murder without getting blood on your shirt.<BR><BR>***WINNER OF THE FORWARD PRIZE FOR BEST FIRST COLLECTION***<BR>***FINALIST FOR THE SUNDAY TIMES YOUNG WRITER OF THE YEAR AWARD***<BR>***WINNER OF THE SKY ARTS AWARD FOR POETRY***<BR><BR>'Exceptional... Mehri is a truly transnational poet of the twenty-first century'<BR>BERNARDINE EVARISTO, author of Girl, Woman, Other<BR><BR>'A once in a generation poet'<BR>CALEB FEMI, author of Poor<BR><BR>The definition of diaspora is the dispersion of people from their original homeland. But what does it mean to write diaspora poetry? Momtaza Mehri's debut collection poses this question, taking us from Mogadishu to Naples, Lampedusa to London. Mixing her own family's experience with the stories of many others across nineteenth- and twentieth-century Somalia, Bad Diaspora Poems confronts the ambivalent nature of speaking for those who have been left behind.<BR><BR>We meet the poet, the translator, the refugee, the exile, and the diaspora kid attempting to transcend their clichéd angst. Told in lyric, prose and text messages, and taking place in living rooms and marketplaces, on buses and balconies, on transatlantic journeys and online, these are essential poems about our diasporic age.

'Portugal erlag dem Meer ...' Reinhold Schneider schrieb 1930 in seinem leider völlig vergessenen Buch 'Das Leiden des Camões oder Untergang und Vollendung der portugiesischen Macht': 'Das Land verströmte sich in die Unbegrenztheit der Ozeane und ihrer Küsten. Es lieferte sich aus an die Welt.' Das stand Klabund (1890-1928), der nur kurz zuvor seine 'Literaturgeschichte' vollendete, offenbar nicht so deutlich vor Augen - zu sehr wollte der Expressionist dem hehren Bild der deutschen Romantiker verbunden bleiben, das die Bedeutung einer Nation in der Welt mit dem Werk ihres vermeintlich größten Dichters verbindet: 'Portugal war zu seiner Blütezeit das Land der Entdeckungen zur See. Indien spülte ihm der Ozean wie eine kostbare Perle in den Schoß. Von den Fahrten und Kämpfen zur See, von den indischen Abenteuern handeln die ¿Lusiaden¿ des Camões, der, mit Friedrich Schlegel zu reden, ¿uns mit Recht statt vieler anderer Dichter und einer ganzen Literatur gelten kann¿, so reich, so bunt, so üppig ist sein Werk. [...] Luís de Camões war ein leidenschaftlicher Verfechter der Größe seines Vaterlandes mit Degen und Feder. Er sollte den Niedergang noch erleben. Von seinen Irrfahrten nach Indien rettete er nichts als das Manuskript seiner ¿Lusiaden¿ und die Liebe zu der schönen Mulattin Luisa Barbara. Der König setzte ihm 1572 ein Jahresgehalt von 75 Mark auf drei Jahre aus. Als die ¿Lusiaden¿ erschienen, das Epos der kriegerischen und geistigen Größe Portugals, das schönste Geschenk, das je einem Volk als Volk dargebracht wurde, kümmerte sich kein Mensch darum. Als er 1580 starb, wurde er ohne Sarg und ohne Leichentuch begraben, da er nichts, nicht einmal ein Fetzen Leinen, sein eigen nannte. Er hatte nur sein Exemplar der ¿Lusiaden¿ bei sich, das er einem Priester vermachte, der ihm das Sakrament gab. Auch als Lyriker hat Camões Unvergängliches geleistet.'Das ist ja alles nicht völlig falsch, doch sicher nur die halbe Wahrheit. Aber vor allem war es schon damals viel zu eurozentrisch. Brasilien, das Klabund 'Tochterland Portugals' nennt und von dem er nur zwei Dichter kennt, war bereits 1920 fünfmal so bevölkerungsreich wie seine 'Mutter'. Heute leben in Amerika zwanzigmal so viele lusophone Menschen wie in Europa; und in Afrika kommen noch sechsmal so viele dazu. Portugiesisch ist auch die Sprache Angolas, Mosambiks, Guinea-Bissaus, São Tomés, Príncipes, der Kapverden, Macaus, Osttimors ... - Und wenngleich wir nur eine Minderheit aus diesen Gegenden zu den portugiesischen Autorinnen und Autoren hinzu- gesellen konnten, zeigt unser kleiner Strauß der Lusophonie doch wunderbar farbenreiche Blüten dieser großen Sprache.

In A Delicate Delivery, Ndaba Sibanda masterfully weaves words into powerful poetic tapestries, unveiling the silenced struggles, uncelebrated triumphs, and raw resilience of Africa's unsung heroes. With evocative imagery and poignant rhythm, these poems echo the unheeded cries of history, the weight of injustice, and the enduring spirit of those who fought, suffered, and dreamed of a better tomorrow.From the haunting verses of An Unknown and Unheard Heroine to the tender yet unflinching reflections scattered throughout the collection, Sibanda's poetry does not merely speak-it resonates, lingers, and demands to be felt. A Delicate Delivery is both a tribute and a reckoning, an offering of truth wrapped in the delicate but unbreakable fabric of verse.

Az A Child is for anyone who is or ever was a child. Throughout history, cultures across the world have honored the power of childhood imagination as a path to self-understanding and self-realisation. Embark on a poetic, musical, mysterious, eclectic, and wondrous journey through the eyes of the child in you. Step into a world where poetry and illustrations dance. With echoes of ancient and indigenous African science and technology, Caribbean harmony, and awareness of infinite potential, Az A Child evokes magic. The magic of imagination, curiosity, courage, love, play, chaos, freedom, intuition, rebelliousness, resilience, connection, and the present moment. All of which arise when we become Az A Child. Read and remember treasures you may have lost ... then follow your unique path to find them.Like fables, proverbs and folktales this beautifully illustrated, full-color poetry collection is for the child within us all. This book is for all ages and celebrates the magic of being Az A Child.

A Finalist for a 2025 NAACP Image Award (Outstanding Literary Work - Poetry)The raw poems inside Song of My Softening study the ever-changing relationship with oneself, while also investigating the relationship that the world and nation has with Black queerness. Poems open wide the questioning of how we express both love and pain, and how we view our bodies in society, offering themselves wholly, with sharpness and compassion.

The Final Destination: A Journey Through the Human Soul Embark on a poignant exploration of the human experience with "Final Destination." This collection of poetry delves into the depths of the soul, navigating the complexities of love, loss, grief, resilience, and the enduring search for meaning.From the exhilaration of hope to the depths of despair, these verses offer a raw and honest portrayal of the human condition. With lyrical precision and emotional depth, Tonnie Mac invites readers to connect with their own experiences and find solace in the shared human journey.Discover the power of the human spirit as it navigates life's challenges, from the quiet resilience of the individual to the collective yearning for a better world. Let the words of "Final Destination" inspire, console, and uplift you.

In the shadows of silence; where pain resides, where stories of strength and survival collide, we gather the courage to give voice and speak, to dedicare these words, both bold and meek. To the souls who've been broken, their spirits scarred, to those who've suffered, their lives left marred, this page we offer, a solemn space, to honour your resilience, your unwavering grace. For the victims of sexual violence, we raise our pen, to echo your stories, again and again, we stand with you, in solidarity, in this pursuit of justice, to set you free. In these verses, we strive to shed light, on the darkest of truths, concealed out of sight, to expose the wounds that fester and ache, to confront the demons, their power to break. May these words ignite a fire, fierce and bright, to dismantle the systems that perpetuate the night, to challenge norms that silence and shame, to forge a path where healing can reclaim. We dedicate this book, with reverence and care, to the survivors who've battled, the ones who dare, to demand justice, to fight for change, to transform a world that's cruel and strange. Let these poems be a testament, a heartfelt plea, to embrace compassion, to ensure we see, that every voice, every story, every tear, matters deeply, and we hold them near.This dedication stands, a beacon of hope, for those who've suffered, unable to cope, we offer our hearts, our words, and our might, to stand as one, to bring forth the light.