Courtesy photo
She is a poet and short story writer. Her works have appeared in many local
and international publications. Her poem,
We Wear The Mask, features in a
book titled
Malawi a Place Apart by former
Norwegian ambassador to Malawi
Asbjorn Eidhammer published in 2017.
In The Familiar Stranger and Other Stories: An Anthology For Junior
Secondary School, Grace has a poem titled
Sacred Vows and a short story,
The Anointed One published by
CLAIM Mabuku Malawi in 2013 and
is now the textbook for English Literature. Her short story
Guilty appears in
The Grafted Tree And Other Short stories
edited by
Sambalikagwa Mvona. It is also in Call It Fate and Other Stories
edited by N. Mwangupili and
T. Mgunda published by
Bookland Malawi.
Tomorrow Will Come, features in
War Drums Are Beating,
by Alfred Msadala published by
Acin. Other poems and a short
story are in
Poetry For Senior Secondary School
and
Mphamvu Ya Kondaine Ndi Nkhani Zina (nthano) by
Chancellor College Publication in 2013.She has also published
in local newspapers and magazines.
Q: What was the process of writing your particular poem, My
Letter To
You?
A: It is a product of a lot
of events that inspired me to write that verse. I put all my bewilderment,
confusion, experiences and protests. Nothing is sacred anymore in our
societies. We are no longer our brother's keeper and are ready to betray and
sell our souls for almost nothing.
Q: What does poetry mean to you?
A: Poetry is sacred. It means everything. It is my first and truest love.
It allows me to express myself in the most satisfying and therapeutical
manner. You may say it sanctifies me.
Q: What are your five year goals with your poetry?
A: To publish my book, perform at international events and reach out to as
many people as I can with my work while inspiring the budding writers.
Q:
Which African poets are you keen on reading?
A: Denis Brutus, Frank Chipasula, Lindiwe Mabuza, Beverley Nambozo Nsengiyunva, Gcina Mhlophe and Jack Mapanje
Q:
What are some of the challenges you face with poetry?
I.
The perception that people have based on what one writes. They always
associate the persona in the poem with the author which can be frustrating
to say the least.
II.
It is hard to publish poems in Malawi.
III Many people do not appreciate poems, let alone poets
Q: Any parting remark?
A: Poets are winged souls, they should never sell their voice. A poet who
sells his or her voice is a sacrilegious being.
Poetry is a powerful tool that we can use to fight all evils in our
society.
I am so excited for being shortlisted for the Babishai poetry competition.
It has given me wings and I don't intend to fly an ordinary pitch.
************************
The #Babishai2018 shortlisted poems may be read here:
No comments:
Post a Comment