I have read Daisy Zamora's poetry, a Nicaraguan poet. I think she is great! Her poem "Celebracion del Cuerpo" (Celebration of the Body) is amazing, and I feel that it empowers all women, even I feel empowered. Also, I hate to be biased, but spanish poetry, its diction and suaveness is so romantic. Maybe it is like that for every language besides English, it is awesome to see how others cultures use their own language in poetry, it is exotic and extremely appealing.
I just stumbled upon a Nigerian poet, essayist, novelist named Chinua Achebe!
I fell in love with his poem "A Mother in a Refugee Camp."
Mr. Achebe impeccably paints this image of a mother devotedly taking care of her baby in a refugee camp! Stricken by poverty, their only possession is a little bundle from which she retrieves a broken comb which she uses to comb her son's hair. The other mothers in the refugee camp, Achebe writes, "have ceased to care," this is evident through how there are "Unwashed children with washed out ribs/behind blown-empty bellies.." Sadly though, this mother who devotedly takes care of her son will "cease to care," like the other mothers.. This poem is fascinating because having been born in Zambia, I am still haunted by orphaned children in Lusaka who are unwashed with "blown empty bellies.." And I can clearly picture these same children in Nigeria, because there's no great distinction between the suffering in both countries.. Zambia and Nigeria are both pregnant with "unwashed children with blown and empty bellies.."
Ms. Hill i love the link! I enjoy seeing different poets from around the world who arent as widely seen here in the U.S.
Nimah Ismail Nawwab is from Saudi Arabia, a country that follows the same old customs as they did centuries ago; oppressing religious and political minorities, homosexuals and women. Women's rights are at the heart of calls for reform in Saudi Arabia; although women are legally not allowed to drive cars in Saudi Arabia, women in rural areas and other areas outside cities do drive cars. Instead, it is believed that a woman's place is in the home caring for her husband and family, however, there is also segregation inside their own homes as some rooms have separate entrances for men and women.
Nawwab caught my attention because not only was she able to effect the people of her native land, but also people all around the world. Her essays, poems, and articles give hope and encouragement to women in Saudi Arabia, becoming the first Saudi Arabian women to ever be published in the United States, thereafter catapulting into the eyes of the rest of the world.
Her poem, Banishment, caught my eye because it not only gives self empowerment to women in Saudi Arabia and can be related to anyone's story who is being opressed who is looking for an escape or relinquishment from an opressor.
"I let you go, Grief, So you can no longer hold me in thrall, Keep me from restful sleep, Smothering my dreams, With a bleak, murky future for my loved ones. "
From what I've read so far I'm into the French poet, Annie Salager. She only has one of her poems posted, but her poem "The Night Found" deals with memories of her past and she blends in mythology to exaggerate significant events. Overall it's a description on her search for self, and discovery of her identity. I love the use of stars to symbolize the constant path of self-discovery:
"L'immense en nous poursuit/ sa courbe d'astre inaccompli"
English:"The immense pursues us / its curve star unfulfilled."
I think it is great!
ReplyDeleteI have read Daisy Zamora's poetry, a Nicaraguan poet. I think she is great! Her poem "Celebracion del Cuerpo" (Celebration of the Body) is amazing, and I feel that it empowers all women, even I feel empowered. Also, I hate to be biased, but spanish poetry, its diction and suaveness is so romantic. Maybe it is like that for every language besides English, it is awesome to see how others cultures use their own language in poetry, it is exotic and extremely appealing.
I just stumbled upon a Nigerian poet, essayist, novelist named Chinua Achebe!
ReplyDeleteI fell in love with his poem "A Mother in a Refugee Camp."
Mr. Achebe impeccably paints this image of a mother devotedly taking care of her baby in a refugee camp! Stricken by poverty, their only possession is a little bundle from which she retrieves a broken comb which she uses to comb her son's hair. The other mothers in the refugee camp, Achebe writes, "have ceased to care," this is evident through how there are "Unwashed children with washed out ribs/behind blown-empty bellies.." Sadly though, this mother who devotedly takes care of her son will "cease to care," like the other mothers..
This poem is fascinating because having been born in Zambia, I am still haunted by orphaned children in Lusaka who are unwashed with "blown empty bellies.." And I can clearly picture these same children in Nigeria, because there's no great distinction between the suffering in both countries.. Zambia and Nigeria are both pregnant with "unwashed children with blown and empty bellies.."
Ms. Hill i love the link! I enjoy seeing different poets from around the world who arent as widely seen here in the U.S.
ReplyDeleteNimah Ismail Nawwab is from Saudi Arabia, a country that follows the same old customs as they did centuries ago; oppressing religious and political minorities, homosexuals and women. Women's rights are at the heart of calls for reform in Saudi Arabia; although women are legally not allowed to drive cars in Saudi Arabia, women in rural areas and other areas outside cities do drive cars. Instead, it is believed that a woman's place is in the home caring for her husband and family, however, there is also segregation inside their own homes as some rooms have separate entrances for men and women.
Nawwab caught my attention because not only was she able to effect the people of her native land, but also people all around the world. Her essays, poems, and articles give hope and encouragement to women in Saudi Arabia, becoming the first Saudi Arabian women to ever be published in the United States, thereafter catapulting into the eyes of the rest of the world.
Her poem, Banishment, caught my eye because it not only gives self empowerment to women in Saudi Arabia and can be related to anyone's story who is being opressed who is looking for an escape or relinquishment from an opressor.
"I let you go, Grief,
So you can no longer hold me in thrall,
Keep me from restful sleep,
Smothering my dreams,
With a bleak, murky future for my loved ones. "
-Esteban
From what I've read so far I'm into the French poet, Annie Salager. She only has one of her poems posted, but her poem "The Night Found" deals with memories of her past and she blends in mythology to exaggerate significant events. Overall it's a description on her search for self, and discovery of her identity. I love the use of stars to symbolize the constant path of self-discovery:
ReplyDelete"L'immense en nous poursuit/ sa courbe d'astre inaccompli"
English:"The immense pursues us / its curve star unfulfilled."