TO show the lab’ring bosom’s deep intent,And thought in living characters to paint,When first thy pencil did those beauties give,And breathing figures learnt from thee to live,How did those prospects … Continue reading To SMA Young African Painter: On Seeing his Work by Phillis Wheatley
Twas mercy brought me from my Pagan land,Taught my benighted soul to understandThat there’s a God, that there’s a Saviour too:Once I redemption neither sought nor knew.Some view our sable … Continue reading On Being Brought From Africa to America by Phillis Wheatley
Soon as the sun forsook the eastern mainThe pealing thunder shook the heav’nly plain;Majestic grandeur! From the zephyr’s wing,Exhales the incense of the blooming spring.Soft purl the streams, the birds … Continue reading A Hymn to the Evening by Phillis Wheatley
I. Dzogbese Lisa has treated me thusIt has led me among the sharps of the forestReturning is not possibleAnd going forward is a great difficultyThe affairs of this world are … Continue reading Songs of Sorrows by Kofi Awoonor
For whom are we searching?For whom are we searching?For Okigbo we are searching!Nzomalizo! Has he gone for firewood, let him return.Has he gone to fetch water, let him return.Has he … Continue reading A Wake for Okigbo by Chinua Achebe
At dawn slowlythe sun withdraws hislong misty arms ofembrace. Happy lovers whose exertions leaveno aftertaste nor slushof love’s combustion; Earthperfumed in dewdropfragrance wakes to whispers ofsoft-eyed light…Later hewill wear out … Continue reading Love Cycle by Chinue Achebe
Your hand is heavy, Night, upon my brow.I bear no heart mercuric like the clouds,to dare.Exacerbation from your subtle plough.Woman as a clam, on the sea’s cresent.I saw your jealous … Continue reading Night by Wole Soyinka
The price seemed reasonable,location Indifferent. The landlady swore she livedOff premises. Nothing remained But self-confession. ‘Madam’ I warned, ‘I hate a wasted journey – I am African.’ Silence. Silenced transmission … Continue reading Telephone Conversation by Wole Soyinka
Foreplay of desires under the bright moon-lit night Pleasures heavenly, leading to a nascent sight; Seeds planted, emerging victorious amongst the crowd Flawless sensory skills endowed. Fragile twig of a … Continue reading A Staircase by Kuma Raj Subedi
Ye distant spires, ye antique tow’rs, That crown the wat’ry glade, Where grateful Science still adores Her Henry’s holy Shade; And ye, that from the stately brow Of Windsor’s heights th’ expanse below Of grove, of … Continue reading Ode on a Distance Prospect of Eton College by Thomas Gray
