About MKB

Mildred Kiconco Barya is a North Carolina-based writer, educator, and poet of East African descent. She teaches and lectures globally, and is the author of four full-length poetry collections, most recently "The Animals of My Earth School" released by Terrapin Books, 2023. Her prose, hybrids, and poems have appeared in Shenandoah, Joyland, The Cincinnati Review, Tin House, New England Review, and elsewhere. She’s now working on a collection of creative nonfiction, and her essay, “Being Here in This Body”, won the 2020 Linda Flowers Literary Award and was published in the North Carolina Literary Review. She serves on the boards of African Writers Trust, Story Parlor, and coordinates the Poetrio Reading events at Malaprop’s Independent Bookstore/Café. She blogs here: www.mildredbarya.com
Author Archive | MKB

Graduation April

I’ve been silent this April, trying to wrap up the semester nicely, my last in Syracuse. We’ve had an active weekend of graduation full of emotion. Unbelievable almost that the three-year program is over. Was only yesterday when we began. Now again time to pack the bags and explore new territories, new opportunities, new futures… […]

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The Girl Who Can…

I’d forgotten how beautiful this story is by Ama Ata Aidoo. Told simply and boldly. I remember reading Ama’s other story: She Who Would Be King—another great one–and admiring her vision for women’s top leadership positions. That was before any country in post-colonial Africa had a female president. A few years down the road, (in […]

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Kony 2012 is just what we needed to spin us into action

With all the questions and buzz around me about Kony 2012, I can’t help but add my say. And am going to offend some people, I know, but can’t help it. This is one of those moments when I can claim my Ugandaness in full–as if it is contested! Just to show my perspective. And […]

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The word is “self curate or die”

The title, “Self curate or die,” is a quote from the main character in Dana Spiotta‘s novel: Stone Arabia. A wonderful book that I’ll feature in detail some time. Just happy to meditate on that particular quote which my prof. and pal, Arthur Flowers, has embraced on his webpage. I’m so thrilled to see him […]

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Two Songs: Song of Prisoner & Song of Malaya

Celebrating Okot p’Bitek and the poets of the 60’s

Okot p’Bitek might be the most remembered and known Ugandan poet, born June 7, 1931 – July 20, 1982. His most popular books: Song of Lawino (1969), Song of Ocol (1970), and Two Songs: Song of a Prisoner, Song of Malaya (1971) enjoyed a cherished position for years on Uganda’s syllabus for high school and college. […]

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In the spirit of sharing

A review in today’s Monitor For my readers in Ug the book is available at Aristoc Booklex. All my love.      

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Mat Johnson’s PYM: A Historical and Satirical Fantasy

I was attracted to a novel with three letters: PYM. Picked randomly in the mystery section. Since I was in search of mystery works, I thought it would do. One other thing I did remember to consider was reading the first sentence: “Always thought if I didn’t get tenure I would shoot myself or strap […]

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Jeanette Winterson

Exploring Jeanette Winterson’s writing

Reading Jeanette is like embarking on a poetic body-heart-mind journey trusting that there will be a destination. Even if none surfaces, there’s so much pleasure in the reading process because of her style that defies form and traditional plot lines. Quantum physics is thrown in,  and there’s great joy finding Newton and Einstein decoded on […]

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Poetry Book Launch moments

Thought I’d feature some pics of Give Me Room To Move My Feet poetry book launch in Kampala, Uganda. Pics taken by Masaani Art. So grateful to friends, family…who made the occasion memorable. Time to pack up and change station. All my love. To see more pics click here.  

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Speak, Memory Revisited

The book that’s been on my mind as I revisit home and other once familiar places is Vladimir Nabokov’s memoir, Speak, Memory. Time is playing tricks on me, or places. I have particular memories of things/objects and incidents in particular places, cafes to be specific, that I find have been turned into carpentry workshops and […]

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