African Writing Online; Issue 6 (War & Peace Edition) Poetry Homepage

African Writing Online Home Page

Akin Adesokan
Amatoritsero Ede
Angela Nwosu
A. Quarcoopome
Aryan Kaganof
Chi Onyemelukwe
Chuma Nwokolo
David Chislett
Domi Chirongo
Eyitemi Egwuenu
Firoze Manji
Gabriel Okara
Grace Kim
Isabella Morris
JKS Makokha
Kangsen Wakai
Khumbu. Mpofu
Khaled Khamissi
Linda Saunders
M. Mashigoane
James Currey
Noelle Bolou
Nourdin Bejjit
Ondjaki
Okey Nwamadi
Patricia J. Wesley
Paula Akugizibwe
Phephelaphi Dube
Rassool Snyman
Sonja Porle
Sumaila Umaisha
Uche Nduka
Uduak Isong O.

         Credits:
   Ntone Edjabe
   Rudolf Okonkwo
   Tolu Ogunlesi
   Yomi Ola
   Molara Wood


Eyitemi Egwuenu

Part these hooded eyes;
Let this pilgrim read the rhythm
Beyond the horizon –
Beyond the quarrel
Of this Wilderness.


JKS Makokha

the lonely, battered Nokia 6020 abruptly died…
three feet away from where death lay
on a crimson shroud of liquid hate.

Grace Kim

Grace Kim

until someone, feeling suffocatingly entangled
in this knot of intimacy
shouted:
If a child dies
every time you clap

Then just stop clapping

Paula Akugizibwe

Paula Akugizibwe

I’d rather hear hate loud and clear,
And feel its bite, and go from here
In honesty and painful understanding.




		African Writing is not all about writing. Sometimes, beyond the picture and the words, the poem is best conveyed in voice. We are also happy to receive your audio submissions alongside your text for our online editions. Please send (wav/ogg/aiff/wma/mp3) files to the editor.



	Uche Nduka
	the burning soil has not secured our servitude.aint this a hoot.the wind and i tussle to get to you.to get to you.to kiss you first.to kiss you first.keen to reach seeds and deeds,both siegemaker and dream-ringer must answer to redemption’s summon


Noelle Bolou

Blood-tainted diamonds
creeping along the gloomy streets of
Seguela, Monrovia, Freetown.

Rassool Snyman

I buried my conscience last night
I wrested it from me
Dragged it to the pit and flung it there


Angela Nwosu

In deep sleep
I drink from the cup of agony and prophecy
The cup that turned mercy and love
into holy wine
and ask the muse of my soul
if the cross can exist without the lamp

Domi Chirongo

Domi Chirongo

there is progress, they say.
truly, poverty decreases
when we poor die.
this is our tragic logic

Chuma Nwokolo

Chuma Nwokolo

she comes when the skies are overcast,
and hides like she did in ’67

when she watched her captive groom and clan dig their communal grave.

		So, dear reader, cross the border and get Behind Every Successful Man at a good bookstore near you after June 1. (Come on. You knew that was coming!) Zukiswa

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