We just celebrated the turning of maples with mapleshapedcookies the hopicecream and applecider It occurred to me how it takes so little to celebrate Back home we only acknowledged big events I know why Birthdays weren’t among the big events But funerals were. And baptisms, marriages–the arc Birth, Weddings, Death. The […]
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Paint the Quad poetry
When I was an undergrad many years ago my favorite expression with friends was, “Let’s go paint the town red” and red we did paint wherever we ended up. We were in touch with the spirit of freedom, a little bit of anarchy and tons of creativity. College, especially, inspired that kind of liberty. Imagine […]
Pursued by “Love After Love”
Derek Walcott’s poem: “Love After Love” has been pursuing me for the last couple of months. I’m beginning to understand why. Today when I was thinking about this month’s blog post, it occurred to me that I should write about that poem and how it has stalked me in mysterious ways. I call it stalking […]
Current African Literature Sample
Often I’m asked, besides Chinua Achebe and Amos Tutuola, which other African writers should one read? But the most frequent question is: who are the contemporary African writers? The answer is: very many, living on the continent and the Diaspora, but mentioning names and titles of their works isn’t enough, because sometimes it is hard […]
Changing My Mind and Other Readings
Where did reading take you this year? is how goodreads posed my 2015 in books. So I’m going to share my reading list which is likely to extend into 2016, and ask you dear reader to share yours too. Making and exchanging reading lists is one of the ways to stay engaged with others in […]
Go to the Limits of Your Longing, Rilke
Since 2013, no other poet has spoken to me and demanded a life lived fiercely with quiet intensity like Rainer Maria Rilke. I love his animals, his mysticism, his symbols, and his profound intuitive perception. I especially marvel every time I read the Archaic Torso of Apollo and walk away with a new meaning. Radical […]
On “Donal Og” and How We Remember
Sharing with you my piece on the old Irish poem “Donal Og” and How We Remember, published by Zocalo. To access the piece, enter Zocalo site here. Enjoy
‘cannot read Edmond Jabès in a hammock
I tried The hammock being the latest development in my life. The latest delight. So I thought, I can now read everything while lying down in my hammock. I can enjoy the sunshine and cool breeze, I can enjoy the great Colorado outdoors and not miss catching up on my reading because I’ll be reading, […]
Translation of Susan Kiguli’s poems from Animal Portraits
One of the exciting things about creative collaboration is seeing old works in new print, form, version and language. In May, I’ll be taking part in the Spring 2014 Global Digital Humanities conference at Shantou University in China, and will conduct a poetry workshop and also participate in the conversation on International Literature. I’m delighted […]
Shortlisted Poems for the Brunel University African Poetry Prize 2014
Entrants to the prize had to submit ten poems. Here is a sample poem from each of the six shortlisted poets. VIOLA ALLO: From Farm to Schoolroom After George Ella Lyon I am from cassava, from mortars and pestles and grinding stones, from cracked corn, fried plantains, and pounded cocoyams. I am from shelled black beans, from […]
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MKB: Dear Nyakisa, Good news! "The Animals of My Earth...
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Nyakisa Beth: Will it be available in Uganda?...
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Wm Epes: Dr. Barya: Hope you are well. Enj...
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