For Sarah Baartman-poem by Serubiri Moses

For Sarah Baartman By Serubiri Moses I have come to take you home where the ancient mountains shout your name. I have made your bed at the foot of the hill, your blankets are covered in buchu and mint, the proteas stand in yellow and white – Diane Ferrus I am coming back home. Sheets of volcanic rock lean over me like tree branches, Shielding my mouth from glaring sun, soothing my feet like a babe in bosom, I am home on these black rocks that bear markings of my forefathers, on which earth they planted trees and manicured lawns, where zebras melt into the zen-like quietness of the landscape in deep grayish browns. I am home trekking the valley with my goats, sheep and cattle. Sarah, our black bodies have left the museums now. My black body has found its silence here among the crater lakes. I return from the place where black bodies are fetishized like fertility dolls, soiled with white semen, and white curses to those to whom Black Beauty must be tamed and groomed. Sarah, I am home in Naivasha on the volcanic bench, where vapor rises from the hot tarmac like morning fog in the rain. Sarah, I am home where The road is a long tongue that drinks up the rain with a terrible thirst.

WASAFIRI IS CALLING FOR BLOGGERS-DEADLINE, FEB 2013

Literary bloggers out there this is for you: Wasafiri blogger – call for applications Wasafiri, founded in 1984, is a quarterly magazine for contemporary international literature. Based in London, the magazine publishes essays, interviews, fiction and poetry by established and emerging writers from diasporic communities and around the world. The magazine has also established an annual New Writing Prize. Wasafiri is hosted by the Open University London and funded by Routledge, its co-publisher, and the Arts Council England. We are looking for someone with a proven interest in international literature, culture and arts to blog for Wasafiri. The ideal candidate will be someone who can write in an engaging manner about topics and themes that feature in Wasafiri. This is a paid position, with at least one blog a month to be produced, which will be approved by the Wasafiri editorial staff. Blogger Specifications Must be experienced in writing on international literature and related subjects through, but not limited to, postgraduate studies or journalistic output. Ability to work to tight deadlines and take initiative. Past experience of blogging (preferred). Ability to work independently, seek out opportunities and take initiative. Good research skills and an understanding of the responsibilities that come with working for a reputable international magazine. Candidates may be based outside UK. Please send a writing sample, a brief description of some ideas for the blog and a cover letter with CV and references to t.palmiero@open.ac.uk. Deadline for applications is 22 February 2013.

Two Strangers: Christmas poem by BNN

Two Strangers One Sunday in December, Two strangers sat near each other in church. The Pastor talked about Salvation and hope. Then he told the church to join hands and pray. The strangers joined hands and prayed for the nation of Israel and for one another. After the service, the strangers said, Bless you, to one another, and parted ways. The next day, the strangers met in the supermarket. They both reached for the past packet of milk. It spilt on the floor and they both cussed at each other. You fool! you idiot! And they parted ways. BNN 2012

Sacrifice, poem by my friend from Lancaster, Alex Evans

Sacrifice by Alexandra O’Toole Evans We loved the tenderness of this poem by Alexandra, especially its unlikely physical manifestations. A perfect way to start the week. Enjoy! . Sacrifice . When you are out there, hanging from lengths of rope, with nothing but pipes and pieces of corrugated metal to break your fall; and the sea, surrounding you, soothing you, ever threatening to swallow you whole, I am in the kitchen, shaking earth from root vegetables; scraping off their rough skins, before I chop them into pieces and drown them in scalding water. . Do you think I don’t know the risks you take? Guilt and uselessness gnaw at me every day. So I make lists, and tick things off as I go, charting my success in crosses out and cups of tea; marking my days with memories made digital and sending them to your inbox out at sea. To the east: where you hang from lengths of rope. . . . Alexandra O’Toole is currently editing her first novel and has just completed an MA in Creative Writing at Lancaster University. When she’s not writing or blogging about writing at http://alexandraotoole.wordpress.com she works with businesses to help them connect with their audiences through stories. Tags: Kumquat Poetry poetry poem Alexandra O'Toole

SINGAPORE CREATIVE WRITING RESIDENCY 2013

Call for applications: Singapore Creative Writing Residency 2013 (18-01-13) Co-organised by the National University of Singapore University Scholars Programme (NUS USP) and The Arts House, the Singapore Creative Writing Residency is created to promote creative writing in Singapore. The residency aims to: a. Provide time and space for the Resident Writer to complete, or make substantial progress with a written work in English; b. Generate interaction and critical discussion among potential writers and stimulate new writing from them through mentorship and public programmes. The completed work, or part of a work, which can be fiction or non-fiction, may cover any topic, and should be in one of the following forms; prose, verse, stage play, radio play or screenplay. The work must be of publishable standard and must be ready for a public reading/lecture. The residency will last for six months from July to December 2013, and the Resident Writer will be required to take up residence at Cinnamon College, the USP residential college at NUS. The resident will receive a monthly stipend. The resident will be provided with board, lodging, a computer, and supporting peripherals during the tenure of his/her residency. Applications are now open! Visit http://www.commonwealthwriters.org/call-for-applications-singapore-creative-writing-residency-2013-18-01-13/ for more details.

Marianne Wilson quote: one of my favourite

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small doesn't serve the world. There's nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we're liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others. It comes from her book, A Return to Love: Reflections on the Principles of A Course in Miracles (1992)

(Internet source)

BEVERLEY NAMBOZO POETRY AWARD CHANGING NAME

Hello Friends, From 2014, when the award hits its regional East Africa audience, the name will change. It will still remain the same for the Ugandan women in diaspora though. In Early December, when the board meets, a suitable one will emerge I am sure. When this award began, I honestly thought it would be a very small affair where I would use my salary then to award the prizes. So many of you including the media saw it as a much bigger space than I ever could have and for that I am grateful. It is important to know that iron sharpens iron and one ember of coal brings more heat than a solitary one. There are so many pleasant surprises that have emerged from the award namely global partners, support from unlikely individuals and the passion has spread like wildfire. I am very glad to know that the team is growing. Late this year Tipu Arts Center, headed by Beatrice Lamwaka will head to Gulu to coordinate poetry camps there, a great way to end the year. Our new partners in Nairobi, Storymoja are ready to host the winners of the award next year in Nairobi and we have new partners who are willing to facilitate a trip to a winner to attend the Zanzibar Arts Festival in March next year too. Our judges Mildred Barya and Apuuli Mugasa are about to begin editing the submissions of the anthology of poetry from East Africa, that will take a while and we look forward to the results. It is time to think bigger, consolidate the team and work towards refining the poetry we have so far. Congratulations to the many poets from the region and beyond who have had a successful year and many good wishes for the next year too. Here's to a great 2013.

(Internet source)