Archive | September 2015

WWN Inspired Series: The Art of Recovering From a Friendship Paused… by Pabara Ebiere Imoagene

Sep20

 

Sometimes being a friend means mastering the art of timing. There is a time for silence. A time to let go and allow people to hurl themselves into their own destiny. And a time to prepare to pick up the pieces when it’s all over.
~Octavia Butler

An insightful piece about special Friendships by my high school friend,  Pabara. Thank you for this utterly beautiful piece. Poignant. Heart-felt. Open and Bared. Most of us have been there…A salute to special friendships that cease but never die!

 Quotes about Friendship Lost

The Art of Recovering From a Friendship Paused…
by Pabara Ebiere Imoagene

 

I waited for the call that never came.
Waited for the text… my phone beeped,
Once, twice, several times, your text missing… so I called… I sent a message

Dead silence. No response. A day, and then 2… 3 and more. Sigh. Still nothing.

A year gone, and now 3, the call never came , it never will again. So I’m left to remember the laughter , our “jist”… even the heated arguments and unnecessary endless quarrels .. The plenty advice that would fill my ears to no end. While i make a show of ‘vexing’ because you always are spot on.

I’m left to remember the sharp mind that fascinated me without end. Intelligent, smart, updated. Yes I remember you today, but not with sadness… I remember you with joy, laughter, and that your sharp tongue.. that only you could ‘yap’ me with.

Because this is a friendship that meant the world to me and I choose to remember you well. The way you should be remembered. .. I remember you with honour, dignity and love. Because that’s what you gave. Being honest and upright made you standout everywhere…

I’m thankful I met you and thankful for the gift of your life… good things never come to an end. .. and this is no exception, because you are remembered always … The way you ought to be.

 

(c) Pabara Ebiere Imoagene. 2015. (All rights reserved)

Happy International Literacy Day 2015! …..Turn Off the TV & Read a Great Book Today :-)

Sep8

Maya Angelou

“Today a reader tomorrow a leader.” —Margaret Fuller

International Literacy Day

 

To celebrate the 2015 International Literacy Day 2015, here are some succinct and powerful ‘one-sentence’ quotes about literacy and reading:

  1. “A book is a gift you can open again and again.” Garrison Keillor
  2. “The beautiful thing about learning is that no one can take it away from you.” ~B.B. King
  3. “Education’s purpose is to replace an empty mind with an open one.” ~Malcolm S. Forbes
  4. “An investment in knowledge always pays the best interest.” ~Benjamin Franklin
  5. “Once you learn to read, you will be free forever.” ~Frederick Douglas
  6. “One child, one teacher, one book and one pen can change the world.” ~Malala Yousafzai
  7. “Creativity is as important as literacy.” ~Sir Ken Robinson

Lagos International Poetry Festival Makes its Debut with a World Class Line Up

Sep8

(The post below was culled from Olisa.tv | Olisa.tv is a lifestyle platform created to showcase the very best of Africa. Over the past decade, a social, economic and Cultural Revolution has taken place on the African continent. Visit their website and check them out).

———————————–

Great news. West Africa’s first international poetry festival will be making its debut in Lagos from the October 28th – November 1st 2015 with the Lagos International Poetry Festival.

flyer-design

Headlining this year’s festival are some of the biggest names in the global literary space, poetry and spoken word, including Warsan Shire, London’s first young poet laureate, winner of the first edition of the Brunel University African Poetry Prize and one of the most important voices in contemporary poetry.

Also slated for this year’s festival are Safia Elhillo, joint winner of the Brunel University African Poetry Prize for 2015, South Africa’s eminent poet and activist, Lebo Mashile, foremost poet, novelist and director of the famed Ake Book and Art Festival, Lola Shoneyin, Inua Ellams, TJ Dema, Wana Udobang, Bassey Ikpi, Titilope Sonuga, Dami Ajayi, Jumoke Verissimo, Sage Hasson, Chuma Nwokolo, Odia Ofeimun, Chijioke Amu Nnadi, Dike Chukwumerije, AJ Dagga Tolar, Iquo Eke, Akeem Lasisi, Audu Maikori, Donna, Elizabeth Ayoola, with a special keynote by Prof. J.P. Clark.

The five day festival will feature master classes, riveting performances, panel discussions, artistic exhibitions, and a planned closing concert and party unlike no other.

The theme for this year’s edition of the Lagos International Poetry Festival is Borderless Words, which according to festival director, Efe Paul Azino, is geared towards exploring poetry’s capacity to break racial, ethnic, gender, language and cultural divides, and help forge creative collaborations across the continent.

Venues for the event include Freedom Park, University of Lagos, Terra Kulture and others. The events are free and open to the public and details will be up subsequently on the festival website: www.lagospoetryfestival.com.

The Lagos International Poetry Festival is proudly supported by Star Larger Beer and Freedom Park.