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*NOW TAKING PRINT ANTHOLOGY SUBMISSIONS for our new print journal “The Whiskey Mule Diner” named after our online anthology that was inspired by Tom Waits. This journal has now expanded to become a new print journal endeavor that includes poetry, art, writings, photography and more inspired by musicians, artists, writers/poets, movies & actors/actresses see this link for more Introducing a new print journal dedicated to poetry, writings, art & more inspired by music, artists, movies, and writers “The Whiskey Mule Diner”feversofthemind@gmail.com (all poetry/writings/essays, art, photography will need to be submitted by June 1st for one of the first 2 issues) please put in Subject the artist you are submitting poetry/etc inspired by. Include bio. No need for cover letter. Only in word doc, pdf or body of e-mail for writing submissions.We do NOT send rejection e-mails if you want to withdraw anything or have any questions on your work please send us an e-mail. We DO send acceptance e-mails however. Also, for editing/curating reasons we will most likely add a considered piece(s) to the website prior to any print publications. We are unable to pay contributors however you will receive a free PDF of the journal. (Even the editors have to pay for a copy for themself) Please consider donating to our PayPal at feversofthemind@gmail.com
*WEB SUBMISSIONS ONLY* (Couldpossibly will be used in future print journal anthologies) For editing/curating reasons we will most likely add a considered piece(s) to the website prior to any print publications.
We are open for Poetry Showcases for anyone to send 3-5 poems/prose. If not all pieces are accepted. I will post the 1 or 2 poems but will not be considered a showcase.
We are unable to provide compensation at this time contributors. We have to reach out through the year for donations just to keep the site going. This is for the art of poetry, music, art & other creatives.
Some poetry/art published on this site could periodically be taken down if space is running low. You will be guaranteed at least 6-8 months exposure on our website. No promises after that and don’t take it personal.
Themes we are Looking for Poetry/prose/articles/other styles of writing are for Adhd Awareness, Mental Health, Anxiety, Culture, History, Social Justice, LGBTQ Matters/Pride, Love, Poem series, sonnets, physical health, pandemic themes, Trauma, Retro/pop culture, inspired by music/songwriters, artist, inspired by classic & current writers, frustrations.
OnlineSubmissions could include Poetry, Art, submitted Book Reviews, culture pieces, rants, pre-published poetry from self-published materials, defunct lit mags, pieces from other lit mags/books/blogs with permissions. We prefer 3-5 poems sent unless you are sending for a writing prompt. There could be exceptions to this rule of course. If we take 3-5 or more poems from you will we feature you as a poetry showcase on the website.
We prefer submissions with a bio to help promote your work. Please let us know if something has been previously published, we will make a judgment call on whether able to include. I don’t love the idea of sending rejection letters. If you don’t receive acceptance assume we passed up this time and send something else. If you have simultaneous submissions out there, please keep this in mind. If not accepted at first, Just try again…We will not accept pieces that we deem racist, sexist, homophobic, or have pornographic themes, photos, or any type of nudity in submissions.
Out now the Deluxe Edition of “Before the Bridges Fell”
https://amzn.to/3ftkxNX for a copy on paperback or kindle (U.S.) please check availability in your country. Some countries take awhile for the paperback to be released. It could be a few days to a couple months until available.
https://amzn.to/3GDnRBJ Before I Turn Into Gold Inspired by Leonard Cohen cover art by Geoffrey Wren
https://amzn.to/3XmgPai Hard Rain Poetry: Forever Dylan Anthology cover art by Geoffrey Wren
Review of Abel Johnson Thundil’s Poetry book “Wilted: Poems of Modern Tragedy” Book Review by Spriha Kant
The title of Abel Johnson Thundil’s book “Wilted: Poems of Modern Tragedy” reveals the conversation that this book can have with the hearts of the readers about the sensitive issues prevailing at a global level.
Showing the epigraph of this book below:
“For all those drenched in fire,
For all those burnt in rain…”
The epigraph reflects the poet’s tendency of expressing poignantly pummelling feelings as an “oxymoron.” And the ability to use oxymorons in poetries is what most poets and poetesses even lack today.
In the following words, the poet has bared his heart to his readers for what compelled his conscience to write this book as well as about the content of this book:
“Based on all that’s happening in the world right now, I decided to give this work an antiwar theme. It portrays the horrors of war through the thoughts of a soldier called up to fight for his country. There isn’t one clear narrative. This is an anthology of poems, and not a novel. But I hope you’ll enjoy the joyful uncertainty and thoughtful ambiguity that poetry brings.”
The poet has stood by the words he told his readers which is justified in the succeeding stanzas.
The poet began the journey of his poetries with the poetry “In the beginning” in which he stated the nature of the warmongers. Quoting the following few words from this poetry:
“In the beginning,
There were human beings;
People who came together
For their own pleasures,
But nonetheless
Created life…
In the beginning,
There were human beings.
And now,
There are monsters
Who think the life created
Is too much…
Now,
There are monsters
Who bleed without wounds,
Through ugly pores on their skin,
And complain
That they were attacked.
They compel us
To aim guns and shackle chains
For them.
They compel us
To keep our hearts in ice
So we ourselves
Can’t feel it beat…
They compel us
To whip our old horses
To charge at guns we do not know,
Held by men who’ve caused us no harm…
They compel,
And we become the old horses
Ourselves…”
The poet in some poems pointed directly to how war-mongers transform peace into wars, each such poetry states a different tactic used by the war-mongers. Quoting a few stanzas from one such poetry “Lawful Theft” below:
“They give me a jigsaw
And tell me to arrange it
Into the image of the national flag…”
“They give me a jigsaw
And tell me to arrange it
But I forget to count the pieces.
There is one piece;
The one at the heart of the flag.
There is one piece missing,
And they say I should search for it
At the battlefield.
They can make another piece
To replace.
But they won’t…
They want me to shed unnecessary blood
By stealing the piece instead
From the others…”
In some of the poetries, the poet has described the pathetic conditions of the war. Such poetries acting like burning furnaces are enough to melt the hearts of the readers, this trait is reminiscent of the poetries “War” and “War (Part two)” by K.P. DeLaney in his book “Swill and Daffodils”, even though the poet’s way of expression is on the different alignment. Despite expressing all these pathetic conditions, the poet managed to observe and point to the irony which is evident by the following words he used in his poetry “Silhouettes of Soldiers,” this work deserves admiration:
“A flower still white and smiling
Amid the grey wreck.”
Quoting below a stanza from Ann Bagnall’s poetry “The Ocean Whispers to Me” from her poetry book “The Ocean Whispers to Me”:
“The phantoms of night
shifting like waves”
The next two stanzas illustrate that death like the “phantoms of night” has shifted like waves in each poetry of the poet as the death has a different form in each poetry of the poet. Quoting a few words from the poetry “Burning Buildings”:
“I see the building burn
Like a lady on fire,
Moving around screaming;
A wobbling flame with a mouth
Sometimes opening for air,
Yet taking in nothing but flames…
I see the building burn
Like a lady on fire,
Running towards the well
And eventually falling in…
Now
Everyone is relieved,
For they’ll say it was not the fire they caused,
But the water that killed her.
Now
They can burn another lady
Near another well
And say the same.”
Through the poetry “Torture,” the poet reminds of a few words by K.P. DeLaney’s poetry “Monumental” from the book “Swill and Daffodils” as quoted below:
“our names become cavities,
mere plaques on some cemetery’s teeth.
nothing but grooves in a row,
a plotted line.
and we become nothing in time,
cemented in the crosses of our tease,
and the dots of our eyes.”
The similes, metaphors, and personifications used by the poet have made the poetries impactful, quoting a few of them below:
“I shoot one,
Then I shoot another.
I shouldn’t stop,
Or else I would realize my madness.
And those who know they are mad
Are probably not.
So I shoot one,
Then I shoot another
Until I kill my soul too,
So that I’ll become nothing but action
And sound
And profanity
I don’t even know the meanings of.
I’ll become nothing but a mannequin with glasses,
Unable to see…”
“It is quiet,
But there is strength in it;
The same strength you see in the eyes of a tiger
Lying in the grass,
With noiseless intensity;
Like a fire that burns in one place
Without spreading through the grass…”
“The guns retire to museums,
And corpses to their graves.
Canons kiss the ground
And rise up
With no more blood on the barrels…”
The poet’s poetry “What’s happening” is reminiscent of the grieving done in Ratan Chouhan’s poetry “Carcass” from the book “Leopards and other poems.” However, both the expression and intensity of grieving differ in these poetries.
This book can be easily read and understood by even non-poetic minds as it is the general public that suffers the most during wars or any other emergency so it is obvious that they can connect emotionally with this book.
Bios (Abel Johnson Thundil & Spriha Kant):
Abel Johnson Thundil:
Abel Johnson Thundil is a young poet from India. He runs a poetry blog called ‘Amaranthine, an original poetry blog. His poems are sometimes sentimental, sometimes dark; but always with a madness that’s very enjoyable. His works have appeared in Terror House Magazine, The Pangolin Review, and Luminescence (Rosewood publications, India). His first anthology ‘The Bleeding Rose: Poems of Love and Loss’ was published by Allbooks.inc.
Purchasing links
Blog: https://www.abelamaranthine.com/?page_id=9
Spriha Kant is an English poetess& literarybook reviewer.
Her first published poetry “The Seashell” was published online in “Imaginary Land Stories.”
The poetries of Spriha have been published in the following anthologies:
Sing, Do The Birds of Spring
A Whisper Of Your Love
Hard Rain Poetry: Forever Dylan
Bare Bones Writing Issue 1: Fevers of the mind
Hidden in Childhood
A Glitter of Miles
“Hard Rain Poetry: Forever Dylan” & “Bare Bones Writing Issue 1: Fevers of the mind” have been published in fourteen countries, namely:
United States
Canada
Australia
India
United Kingdom
Spain
France
Italy
Mexico
Netherlands
Poland
Turkey
Sweden
Japan
“Hidden in Childhood” became the #1 bestselling book on Amazon. This book consists of poems from about 150 globally acclaimed poets and poetesses, out of which most have been featured on NPR (National Public Radio), BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation),andthe New York Times. The wonderful Japanese painter “Hikari” featured this book in her exhibition in Tokyo in Japan.
All the proceeds of the anthology book “A Glitter of Miles” went to the “Senior Staffy Club” (UK), a charity that helps older Staffordshire Bull terriers.
Reviews on the books of critically acclaimed poets and poetesses by Spriha that have been released so far are as follows:
The Keeper of Aeons by Matthew MC Smith
Nature Speaks of Love and Sorrow by Jeff Flesch
Washed Away: A Collection of Fragments by Shiksha Dheda
Spaces by Clive Gresswell
Silence From the Shadows by Stuart Matthews
Breathe by Helen Laycock
Woman: Splendor and Sorrow: Love Poems and Poetic Prose by Gabriela Marie Milton
These Random Acts of Wildness by Paul Brookes
Othernesses by Paul Brookes
Turbulent Waves byVerde Mar
Spriha has collaborated on the poetry“The Doorsteps Series” with thewell-known Southern Indiana poet “David L O’ Nan.”
Spriha has participated in the following events celebrating the launches of the books:
Nature Speaks of Love and Sorrow byJeff Flesch
As FolkTaleTeller by Paul Brookes
Shedding light on the details about Spriha Kant’s quote published as an “Epigraph” below:
Her poetic quote “An orphic wind storm blew away a sand dune that heaped all our love memories upon one another.” has been published as the epigraph in the book Magkasintahan Volume VI By Poets and Writers from the Philippines under Ukiyoto Publishing in the year 2022.
Features of Spriha Kant (Interviews & Others):
Quick-9 Interview on feversofthemind.com (Interview Feature)
#BrokenAsides with Spriha Kant on the brokenspine.co.uk (Interview Feature)
Creative Achievements in 2022 on thewombwellrainbow.com
Invitation to Spriha Kant as a guest of honor:
Spriha graced the award-winningshow“Victoria in Verse” as a “guest of honor” in “Bloomsbury Radio, London,” hosted by Victoria Onofrei which broadcasted on January 29th, 2023 at 6 P.M. as per the time standard in London in which she recited her poetry “The Tale of a poltergeist”.
Encomiums on Spriha Kant:
The Nepalese poetess “Mingmar Sadhana” praised her highly for her literary achievements through her following words:
“There is a saying in Nepali, ‘Hune biruwako chillo paat’ (meaning a plantwith potential for growth has glossy leaves), and I feel it fits you perfectly, Spriha! Sharing in the joy and pride of your achievement, poetic milestones”
The American poet“Verde Mar” said the following words about her in praise:
“Spriha Kant has a wondrous ‘force of nature’ spirit that shines like the North Star and her poetry are revered by our fabulous writing community on social media.”
The poetries in this book are beautiful enough to mesmerize readers the way a scuba diver becomes mesmerized on seeing the pearly seashells, ancient treasures, ancient sculptors, and ancient sunken cities. The pearls in the seashells, the sparkling radiance of the ancient treasures, the intricately chipped designs on the sculptors, and the fractions of the magnificent buildings in the ancient sunken cities all resemble the similes, metaphors, and personifications carved beautifully by the poet. These carvings, however, are accompanied by different tones including joyously romantic, faded proximity, searing love, budding love, stimulus, and so on….
Pointing out a few carvings from a few poetries below:
“Time has dimmed our tide
yet your touch remains
like stars breaching my sky
gorgeous and empyreal.”
“We made our own road
caravanserai’ing us
days wondered in joy
each dance rewrote what was real
wrapping poetry in us.”
“She lures away our control
coveting passion’s play
blanketing our wicked
till dreams of her find dawn.”
“All these words scatter
like butterflies afraid
your gorgeous mind
devours them before
they tell you
you’re beautiful.”
“Cloud wakes sisters
Mist and Fog
as bored with Ocean’s waves
she touches Land.”
“Twitter is like ice cream
a frozen imaginary moment
capturing all our hopes
as it fades over time.”
“Want you on me again
igniting words we create
till strange days effervesce
filling my page with yours.”
The poet has chiselled his words into miniature alabaster ornaments called poetries, the skill overshadowing the fact that “Turbulent Waves” is the debut poetry book of Verde Mar.
Bios (Spriha Kant and Verde Mar):
Verde Mar: Verde Mar resides in the Sonoran Desert in Rancho Mirage, CA (USA). He is a technical writer who discovered his passion for writing enigmatic poetry during the start of the global pandemic. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from New Mexico State University, where he also worked as the lead peer writing tutor in the Writing Lab for ESL students. He is also an avid vinyl LP audiophile and science fiction reader. His poetry book Turbulent Waves: Enigmatic micro-writes cast ashore during a global pandemic was published in 2022. He also contributed to the #1 Amazon bestselling anthology Hidden in Childhood: A Poetry Anthology. Apart from reaching this literary height, he has also won the first grant in the RI State Science Fair for his “Moon Cities” project.
Spriha Kant:
Spriha Kant is an English poetess& literarybook reviewer.
Her first published poetry “The Seashell” was published online in “Imaginary Land Stories.”
The poetries of Spriha have been published in the following anthologies:
Sing, Do The Birds of Spring
A Whisper Of Your Love
Hard Rain Poetry: Forever Dylan
Bare Bones Writing Issue 1: Fevers of the mind
Hidden in Childhood
A Glitter of Miles
“Hard Rain Poetry: Forever Dylan” & “Bare Bones Writing Issue 1: Fevers of the mind” have been published in fourteen countries, namely:
United States
Canada
Australia
India
United Kingdom
Spain
France
Italy
Mexico
Netherlands
Poland
Turkey
Sweden
Japan
“Hidden in Childhood” became the #1 bestselling book on amazon. This book consists of poems from about 150 globally acclaimed poets and poetesses, out of which most have been featured on NPR (National Public Radio), BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation),andthe New York Times. The wonderful Japanese painter “Hikari” featured this book in her exhibition in Tokyo in Japan.
All the proceeds of the anthology book “A Glitter of Miles” went to the “Senior Staffy Club” (UK), a charity that helps older Staffordshire Bull terriers.
Reviews on the books of critically acclaimed poets and poetesses by Spriha that have been released so far are as follows:
The Keeper of Aeons by Matthew MC Smith
Nature Speaks of Love and Sorrow by Jeff Flesch
Washed Away: A Collection of Fragments by Shiksha Dheda
Spaces by Clive Gresswell
Silence From the Shadows by Stuart Matthews
Breathe by Helen Laycock
Woman: Splendor and Sorrow: Love Poems and Poetic Prose by Gabriela Marie Milton
These Random Acts of WildnessbyPaul Brookes
Othernesses by Paul Brookes
Spriha has collaborated on the poetry“The Doorsteps Series” with thewell-known Southern Indiana poet “David L O’ Nan.”
Spriha has participated in the following events celebrating the launches of the books:
Nature Speaks of Love and Sorrow byJeff Flesch
As FolkTaleTeller by Paul Brookes
Shedding light on the details about Spriha Kant’s quote published as an “Epigraph” below:
Her poetic quote “An orphic wind storm blew away a sand dune that heaped all our love memories upon one another.” has been published as the epigraph in the book Magkasintahan Volume VI By Poets and Writers from the Philippines under Ukiyoto Publishing in the year 2022.
Features of Spriha Kant (Interviews & Others):
Quick-9 Interview on feversofthemind.com (Interview Feature)
#BrokenAsides with Spriha Kant on the brokenspine.co.uk (Interview Feature)
Creative Achievements in 2022 on thewombwellrainbow.com
Invitation to Spriha Kant as a guest of honor:
Spriha graced the award-winningshow“Victoria in Verse” as a “guest of honor” in “Bloomsbury Radio, London,” hosted by Victoria Onofrei which broadcasted on January 29th, 2023 at 6 P.M. as per the time standard in London in which she recited her poetry “The Tale of a poltergeist”.
Encomium on Spriha Kant:
The Nepalese poetess “Mingmar Sadhana” praised her highly for her literary achievements through her following words:
“There is a saying in Nepali, ‘Hune biruwako chillo paat’ (meaning a plant with
potential for growth has glossy leaves), and I feel it fits you perfectly, Spriha!
Sharing in the joy and pride of your achievement, poetic milestones”
Review of Paul Brookes’s book “Othernesses” by Spriha Kant
“‘Othernesses’ is the beautifully unique work knitted by poet ‘Paul Brookes’ and this knitting pattern has an impactful impression.”— This statement is justified by the facts and citations in the following stanzas.
The poet has wonderfully used personification in some poetries. Quoting a few words from one such poetry “The Rockpool” below:
“One minute I am scorched by sharp sunlight,
next I’m cold enough to ripple shivers.”
“In the wane I’ll have my own way, again.
Every to and fro never the same.”
Certain stanzas and/or words in some poetries recite the different aspects of life such as philosophy, experiences, etc, some recite through the garnish/garnishes of personifications and/or metaphors whereas some point out in a direct manner. Quoting such few words and stanzas below:
“I am a dying sea, a dried up thing.”
“Our specularities slide over surfaces,
change shape whenever the object, viewer
or environment moves.”
“We waymark each hour as it passes on.
All waymarks subject to going, gone.”
“World is Chrysanthemums in a picture.”
The poet’s empathy and keen observatory skill not overlooking the importance of insects in our lives show his considerate attitude towards insects that a negligible number of persons have. Quoting below a few words and stanzas proving this:
“We’d wallow in waste if there were no flies.
Praise them, their short lives, work and enterprise”
“You horrify me with your pure cleanliness.
Live in shittip, I’ll join you in the mess.”
“Scratch decayed wood until it splinters. Hunt
these spikes for soft white wood swallow inside.
Indigestible I make a hard front,
swallow soil ready to throw back up outside.”
The poetries woven by him as encomiums for his fellow artists by using insects as metaphors for them also contribute to proving his attitude as considerate towards insects as well as shows his greatness as an artist.
“Othernesses” by Paul Brookes is suitable for wise poetic minds, a spark that can light up the reader’s interest in entomology, and is fruitful to read.
Bios (Spriha Kant & Paul Brookes):Paul Brookes:
Paul Brookes is a writer, local historian, genealogist, photographer, shop assistant and grandfather. Paul has lived in Wombwell, South Yorkshire for over twenty years, in a cat house full of teddy bears. He adores the counter intuitive. His first play was performed at The Gulbenkian Theatre, Hull. His chapbooks include The Fabulous Invention Of Barnsley (Dearne Community Arts, 1993). A World Where and She Needs That Edge (Nixes Mate Press, 2017, 2018) The Spermbot Blues (OpPRESS, 2017), Please Take Change (Cyberwit.net, 2018) As Folk Over Yonder (Afterworld Books, 2019). A poetry collaboration with artworker Jane Cornwell: Wonderland in Alice, plus other ways of seeing (JCStudio Press, 2021) with a foreword by Ian Mcmillan, a sonnet collection called As Folktaleteller (ImpSpired, 2022) with an introduction by Penelope Shuttle. Forthcoming is another sonnet collection: These Random Acts of Wildness (Glass Head Press, 2023). Paul is Editor of The Wombwell Rainbow interviews, book reviews and challenges. Paul has had work broadcast on BBC Radio 3 The Verb and videos of his Self Isolation sonnet sequence featured by Barnsley Museums and Hear My Voice Barnsley. For more: www.thewombwellrainbow.com.Spriha Kant:
Spriha Kant is an English poetess& literarybook reviewer.
Her first published poetry is “The Seashell” which was published in “Imaginary Land Stories.”
The poetries of Spriha have been published in the following anthologies:
Sing, Do The Birds of Spring
A Whisper Of Your Love
Hard Rain Poetry: Forever Dylan
Bare Bones Writing Issue 1: Fevers of the mind
Hidden in Childhood
A Glitter of Miles
“Hidden in Childhood” became the #1 bestselling book on amazon. This book consists of poems from about 150 globally acclaimed poets and poetesses, out of which most have been featured on NPR (National Public Radio), BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation),andthe New York Times. The wonderful Japanese painter “Hikari” featured this book in her exhibition in Tokyo in Japan. All the proceeds of the anthology book “A Glitter of Miles” went to the “Senior Staffy Club” (UK), a charity that helps older Staffordshire Bull terriers
Book Reviews by Spriha that have been released so far are:
The Keeper of Aeons by Matthew MC Smith
Nature Speaks of Love and Sorrow by Jeff Flesch
Washed Away: A Collection of Fragments by Shiksha Dheda
Spaces by Clive Gresswell
Silence From the Shadows by Stuart Matthews
Breathe by Helen Laycock
Woman: Splendor and Sorrow: Love Poems and Poetic Prose by Gabriela Marie Milton
These Random Acts of Wildness by Paul Brookes
Spriha has collaborated on the poetry“The Doorsteps Series” with thewell-known Southern Indiana poet “David L O’ Nan.”
Spriha has been a part of the two events celebrating the launches of the books:
Nature Speaks of Love and Sorrow byJeff Flesch
As FolkTaleTeller by Paul Brookes
Words of Spriha Kant quoted on the first page of the book:
Her poetic quote “An orphic wind storm blew away a sand dune that heaped all our love memories upon one another.” has been published as the epigraph in the book Magkasintahan Volume VI By Poets and Writers from the Philippines under Ukiyoto Publishing in the year 2022.
Features of Spriha Kant (Interviews & Others):
Quick-9 Interview on feversofthemind.com (Interview Feature)
#BrokenAsides with Spriha Kant on the brokenspine.co.uk (Interview Feature)
Creative Achievements in 2022 on thewombwellrainbow.com
Invitation to Spriha Kant as a guest of honor:
Spriha graced the award-winningshow“Victoria in Verse” as a “guest of honor” in “Bloomsbury Radio, London,” hosted by Victoria Onofrei which broadcasted on January 29th, 2023 at 6 P.M. as per the time standard in London in which she recited her poetry “The Tale of a poltergeist”.
GRIEF IN CONTEMPORARY POETRY: AN AFTERMATH OF MALADMINISTRATION OF MOST 21ST CENTURY SOCIETIES; A GLANCE AT JOHN CHINAKA ONYECHE’S 25 ATONEMENTS.
BY: Kwaghkule Aondonengen Jacob.
25 Atonements is a forty paged poetry book penned by John Chinaka Onyeche. It is embedded with a lot of literal and figurative accurately engineered aesthetics. All the poems in the said collection are stylistically titled and numbered in Atonements from one to the twenty-fifth Atonement. Of a truth, all these poems are wow-stricken as well as mind-blowing considering the tone and the era in which they have been rendered.
Grief, according to English Dictionary means suffering, hardship. Grief is also defined as pain of mind arising from misfortune, significant personal loss, bereavement, misconduct of oneself or others, etc.; sorrow; sadness. Grief is the cause or instance of sorrow or pain; that which afflicts or distresses; trial.
In the poetry book, 25 Atonements, John China Onyeche has deliberately portrayed grief like sellers do display their wares in market squares_the picture of a girl captured in the early pages of the book speaks volumes_although, not minding the different view of the poet as seen in “Atonement Seven”. It is undoubtedly verifiable, that most 21st Century Societies, Nigeria inclusive, have failed their citizens just like the world always disappoints new born babies resulting into their cries immediately after being born.
Nigeria is one of the underdeveloped 21st Century societies_so to say. The level of maladministration in this country makes her to be termed an underdeveloped [if not undeveloped] nation till date. The question is how can a poet living in such a ruined society think straight other than being constantly interrupted by grief? With this, John Chinaka Onyeche has vindicated and bears no blames for having penning down grief in ‘poetrical’ lines.
Beginning from the interlude anchored by Tares Oburumu to the last Atonement, it can be inferred that this society has caused this grief made visible in many poems of these poets today. For Tares openly says: “I know of a happiness that doesn’t include me in its typical home. So I create one and rub it on my body. Does it smell? Am I the scent only my mirror understands?” No wonder, till date, Nigerians still seek homes on the shores of other societies…
One of the key amenities of life is shelter. This when it’s lacked, peace is lost and grief is activated. John Chinaka Onyeche has been /longing for a home in a home/ all this while. He captures this disillusionment in his second Atonement thus;
“When I stare into the face of yesterday Home whispers hope to live on But how else should I live Atoning for yester-longings?” (Pg.14).
The question of homelessness in this society has promoted Onyeche to asking that /Where can be more home, than where the heart already lives, without leaving?/ In this poem, the author has succinctly explained what grief is, that:
“Grief, you’re a kin, bestriding the threshold I know you, I know your story —of a river holding a large whale I know your story of a winter breeze Scrubbing away light You are a cloudy sky without rain You are a shell without snail” (Pg.16).
The futility of many a citizen’s efforts in this Society is unfathomable. In different sectors, the Government of the people has kept denying being for the people. It contradicts what the poet has believed in. In his belief, it is biblically asserted that /“Ask and it shall be given,/Knock and the door shall be opened/For whosoever inquires shall find”/
Yet, here, a poet prays:
God save a poet atoning for the clouds Gathering them from a blue sky with sun (Pg.21).
In a society filled with dysfunctional mayhems, a poet is left with nothing but his pen putting down pains to paper. It is evident as Onyeche puts; /My grief is clothed in the garb of rhetoric/(Pg.26). As /Words have galloped on our tongues/Pulling even the last pinch of steel/(Pg.32) and all that is made of this society is likened to;
A broken bucket A broken water pot A city of broken walls A broken metaphor (Pg.31).
Indeed, /This society has become a fire that burns me/[emphasis mine] and /I breathe here like a saltwater tide, coming in in the mornings and returning in the evenings/(Pg.34). Sadly, we only live to groan about /the wishes which dressed my good old days/(Pg.36). For;
The stories told from a broken wall
Have held us bound a thousand times
If we don’t return to retell our tales of old
The days shall go by and not let us go on
Conclusively, it is what the society tells a poet to write he writes. John Chinaka Onyeche has done so. Poetry has therefore, been used here as a tool for exposng the cause of many a poet’s grief amidst this contemporary turmoil; the failure of the Government at all levels.
John Chinaka Onyeche “Rememberajc” (he/his) is an author of three poetry collections “Echoes Across The Atlantic”, a husband, father and poet from Nigeria. He writes from the city of Port Harcourt Rivers State, Nigeria. He is currently a student of History and Diplomatic Studies at Ignatius Ajuru University Of Education Port Harcourt Rivers State.
John Chinaka can be reached through the following means:
Kwaghkule, Aondonengen Jacob is popularly known by his pen name “Mr Kvip”. He’s an awarded Nigerian poet with multiple online and traditional publications. A two time finalist for Pengician Chapbook Poetry Prize, 2021 and 2022, an Entrant for NSPP, 2021, and a Longlist, African Human Right Playwriting Prize, 2021. Kwaghkule Aondonengen Jacob bagged a B.A Honours in English and Literary Studies from the prestigious Federal University, Wukari, Nigeria, where he serves as the Poetry Editor for Insights. If he’s not writing, he’s admiring the beauty around him.
Fevers of the Mind 