| I started writing poetry about the age of ten. My
cognitive ability to put words on paper that made sense, or
sounded witty intrigued me. My self esteem was quietly
bolstered. Even if it was quirky, it made me feel important
and smart. Poetry gave me something to do when I was bored with
the mundane. Unfortunately, I did not keep or preserve many
of my earlier poems. I knew nothing about publishing, and my
parents were too busy trying to make ends meet to recognize
or encourage my writing.
During childhood, I went to school, played, teased, and even
did chores for parents and relatives among other things. However,
when my tasks were done, my mind looked for something different
to do. Retiring to the inner recesses of my mind also kept
me out of trouble. I voraciously read all the prescribed textbooks
for school every term. My appetite for news also grew. My
father subscribed to the local newspaper – The Daily
Mail, every month. Local and international news from the papers
gave me some fodder for my poetry and so were national and
international news from the radio. We had no television. Keeping
my eyes and ears open, and my mouth shut also helped me to
realize themes for writing. Dad was also a Churchman. Biblical
literature was always around and this helped me to cherish
the beauty of poetry as well. English Language and Literature
classes at Fourah - Bay College, then affiliated with the
University of Durham, England were inspiring. Approval of
my poetry from anyone was not a motivator. I quietly continued
writing because it gave me inner pleasure. I am published
in a couple of national anthologies, and my first book of
poetry was published by Pensar Press in 1987. I hope that
you will relate to one or more of the poems in this collection.
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