Imagination Of Poets: An Anthology Of African Poems.

Abstract

In Imagination of Poets: An anthology of African poems, three African academics and creative personalities organize an African poetry festival and invite poets from the continent who are lovers of music and African culture to participate. As it is expected, an African festival is multifaceted: it is full of mirth and dance: an ensemble of vibraphones which produce words of acclamation and criticisms. It is an encyclopedia of events that hinges on the poetic expressions of Afro-poets. The editors have put in print a symphony of poets. Whose voices echo from Africa and Black world; drawing from the rich idioms of African languages. Which shape words, and images that are expressed for ease of communication among the poets in the English language. The themes of the poetry in these anthology areas varied as they are the authentic to the peoples of this continent. They touch on the demographic issues, the environment, Literacy, disease, poverty, violence against women and children, family, religion and political intolerance, and peace among different African communities. 'The editors have masterfully arranged these poems according to themes viz: Socio-political, femininity and womanhood, love and romance, religion and faith, culture and tradition etcetera. The festive covers transformation and reforms in the new century, society, economic issues, and the inevitable transition from life to death. The poets at the festival are held by the editors on a long rein and remain unconstrained, in the manner in which they reflect on issues of disaster and tragedy in a philosophical way. Poetry is the best medium in which campaigning against human vices and, as it were, the medium is the message: