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Wordjar
publishing
Published in 2011 by Wordjar Publishing
No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission
from the publisher except for the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.
Wordjarpublishing@gmail.com
3 Preface
5 Chaleboy
6 “Play On”
7 Rae Twumasi
8 “Brown Eyes and Apple Pies”
9 Angie Nwokedi
10 “Love in Flight”
11 Lyrical Love
12 “The Poetic Beat You Hear My Heart Sings”
13 Jadean Johnson
14 “Epiphany: Untitled”
15 Suli Breaks
16 “Love On The Underground”
18 Ezekiel The Poet
19 “Black Rose”
20 Catherine The Poet
21 “Untitled”
23 Francis Xavier Labiran
24 “Grey Rose”
My Love
When I rounded up the poets that are featured in this book, the instructions I gave
them was simple ‘’ The purpose of this project is to create a book that produces vary-
ing views on the theme of love, each beautiful in its expression. There are no limits to
the piece you are producing, let the only barrier be your own imagination, and even
then shatter it. The idea is to let your piece reflect love as you see it, not as friends,
family, your pastor or anyone else sees it, this is about you.’’
I did not want to receive a bunch of love poems each talking about how ‘’her eyes re-
semble the sunrise’’, no I wanted to obtain a spectrum of interpretations.
I then went on the search to find a blend of writers that could express the various
views of love through their poetry. Despite the temptation to handpick poets so that
I would acquire this range, I decided to open up this opportunity to everybody and
let fate take control. Many poets answered my call, but only nine (myself included)
of them saw the project through to the very end and where therefore included in this
anthology:
Suli Breaks
Lyrical Love
Angie Nwokedi
Rae Twumasi
Chaleboy
Ezekiel the Poet
Jadean Johnson
Francis Xavier Labiran
Catherine Labiran
Each of these writers contributed their own unique style to the book, and on the behalf
of Wordjar publishing, I would like to thank you all for your efforts.
3
MY LOVE
CHALEBOY
Legal Name: Benjamin Bennett
www.wordswisdomworld.wordpress.com
www.youtube.com/chaleboythepoet
www.facebook.com/chaleboythepoet
Chaleboy sums himself up in one line: “I’m a psalmist, lyricist, spoken word artist,
whatever you want to call it; poetry is where the art is.” Inspired by his strong faith in
Christianity, life and his vast imagination, Chaleboy can portray his pieces in humor-
ous, thought provoking and perplexing ways, without losing the art of poetry.
The nickname “Chaleboy” was assigned because of his patriotic Ghanaian nature,
which occasionally shows through his spoken word. Chaleboy has appeared on Love-
world TV, and performed for numerous universities up and down the UK, as well as
showcases and churches across London.
5
Play On
Chaleboy
RAE TWUMASI
Legal Name: Arnoldine Rachael Twumasi
Twitter.com/RaeTwumasi
Rachael, a 3rd year Law Student at the University of Birmingham, hails from North
West London where she was born and raised. She has dabbled in writing for many
years and after over a decade of shyness has developed an odd desire for constructive
criticism of her work. She currently writes for her website [www.afrocenchix.com] as
well as for the blog of the Birmingham Debating Society (of which she is President)
and other blogs in a more fact based context. Her journeys into the world of poetry
and fantasy are generally triggered by procrastination from her degree, and as such are
largely incomplete - with reality always winning the fight for her attention. Rachael is
interested in developing as a poet and would love you to tweet feedback at her, she
may even give you a peek of her novels in progress if you’re lucky.
7
Brown Eyes and Apple Pies
Rae Twumasi
8
ANGIE NWOKEDI
Legal Name: Angela Nwokedi
www.blacksheep10.blogspot.com
Angie is currently an editor for Wordjar publishing and has three novels in the works.
She is a 20 year old student on a biomedical science course. Her debut poetry collec-
tion is due to be published in August. She has also dabbled in song writing and has a
very diverse collection of works. Angie has directed two drama productions includ-
ing a new take on “A Christmas Carol” and “The Wind in the Willows”, She is also
Interested in play writing and directing. Her ambition for the future is to help younger
generations to focus and fine-tune their talents as well as becoming an established and
respected author and all round achiever. In the near future however as seen above she
will be producing her first play that she herself has written. Angie sees poetry as an
outlet as well as second nature. It allows her to feel a connection to her environment
and portray her emotions in a colourful manner.
9
Love In Flight
I see you stare back at me like I go to war and you know my fate.
Smell the air, scents are moving,
Love me, dote on me and
If I feel y. o. u make sure you feel me to.
Love me from genesis to revelations but
Remember the psalm that comes with my beauty and
Skim through Exodus like you skim through my sins.
I love you, fondly.
Angie Nwokedi
LYRICAL LOVE
Legal Name: Abena Adina Elliott
lyrical-love-xoxox.blogspot.com
“Poetry is a passion, a love, a burning desire that takes over like a wildfire ripping
through a forgotten forest. It goes beyond just putting pen to paper.” For Abena Elliott,
Poetry is a gate that opens up and urges her to observe her surroundings, take note of
the experience and write it down for others to read as if they were watching the scene
that had affected her heart, her life or the lives of those around her. Love is one of
those experiences that will forever be dominant and we experience it in so many ways,
every single day whether it is platonic, romantic or spiritual. Unrequited or destructive,
but for this book, Abena Elliott, 20 years of age, from a small place called Northamp-
ton, dedicates one of her romantic poems that she hopes many of you can relate to
and enjoy the beauty that love can bring.
11
The Poetic Beat You Hear My Heart Sing
Lyrical Love
12
JADEAN JOHNSON
Legal Name: Jadean Johnson
Coming from a creative background in photography and drawing, Jadean only recently
came to appreciate the value of poetry and its ability to expand a person’s awareness
of the beauty – and tragedy – around them.
Inspired from a recent period of emotional confusion in the name of ‘’love’’, Jadean’s
first poem, Epiphany: Untitled, received its fair share of positive feedback. Encouraged
by this, and still drawing inspiration from being a ‘’victim’’ of love’s whims, Jadean has
gone on to write several more poems, with plans of having them published in the near
future.
At present, Jadean focuses his poetry upon a peculiar truth. That at some point in every
person’s life, to varying degrees, they will encounter regrets and beliefs of within the
pattern of ‘’...would have; could have; should have’’. Representing the theme of missed
opportunity, these contemplations are universal, and Jadean is set on exploring how
this is influenced by the common feelings of love, loss, hope and guilt.
13
Epiphany: Untitled
And deep realisation sinks in: his wavering to tether her to his heart with either love or
friendship will surely set her adrift into the harbour of another.
Jadean Johnson
14
SULI BREAKS
Legal Name: Suli Amoako
www.sulibreaks.com
Youtube.com/sulibreezy
Twitter.com/sulibreaks
Hailing from North London, Wood Green, originally of Ghanaian descent, Suli Breaks
uses his poetry to bridge gaps, engaging the youths while also educating those who are
not familiar with the London culture. Suli Breaks poetry is something which has to be
seen, to understand how he uses his creativity and uncanny ability with words to bring
poetry to life as it has never been done before. Suli Breaks poetry is not limited to the
stage, he uses a vast array of mediums from visual to audio, displaying them all in his
debut DVD “Poetry Is Kool!!?!?!”His accolades include:
• Featured on BBC ONE London 8pm News.
• Performances at over 40 universities all over the UK,
• 2ND place in the national UK Farrago Slam Championships 2009
• Featured in numerous publications such as national newspaper The Voice.
• As well as forerunning urban material Flavour magazine.
• Has been featured numerous times on Sky TV on Voxafrica channel, Sky channel 203
and Sky Community Channel
• Finalist in National competition Universities Got Talent 2009
• Participated in the “Yes We Can Tour” which featured Eddie Kadi and So Solid’s Swiss.
• Performed at live shows with the likes of Britain’s Got Talent’s Flawless, UK rapper SWAY.
• Performances at UK prominent theatres such as, Camden Roundhouse and the Hammersmith
Lyric Theatre.
15
Readers are advised to get a London Underground tube map before proceeding.
Suli Breaks
17
EZEKIEL THE POET
Legal Name: Khabir Seyi Noibi
www.facebook.com/people/Ezekiel-Seyi-Ezikiboy-Noibi/1190312283
Twitter.com/EzekielThePoet
Ezekiel describes himself as follows ‘’I’m a young guy but I’ve been passionate about
poetry, performing arts and music for a long time.’’ He started out singing and song-
writing, which then evolved into poetry and he has been performing for about two
years. He love’s where words and vocabulary can take him and the imagination is lim-
itless. He is a creative person and loves unveiling the emotions that men often ignore
or simply do not talk about. He plans to take his talents to the big stage.
18
Black Rose
Because my heart’s not red it’s been darkened by all the upset
Nobody’ll ever know my sorrow
I kept clutching at straws thinking that what I loved today was promised tomorrow
But all I can do now is miss you
Where the vacant space in my heart is now all I crave is you
But sadly all I’m left with is this scar tissue trying to close the wound
How could I have been a fool to think Romance was alive
Fell victim to your deceit, you’re so conniving
Never anticipated a goodbye but you throw up the deuce sign
And I responded too late. Now I’m stuck in this place looking for a means of escape
And I bet you’re laughing it off in some faraway place
Pricked me with your thorns
Disguised around the stem attached to the rose. You.
I never usually get so close but I thought I had no need to put my defences up in this
scenario
You shone like Gold but I was blind, it was only Gold-plating that just glittered a little
too bright
I was so excited thinking I had one of the rarest red roses in the field but it turned out to
be a black hole
That sucked the life out of me
You, Black Rose
How could you be so cold- how does it feel to know that you caused me to give up hope
on love
Depressed. Angry. Frustrated. Melancholy
All I asked from you was to hold me
But you had other things on your mind
That, in time, I found out the hard way
Remember Valentine’s Day? Well Its Black Rose Day
Left with the emptiness on the inside of my heart
And an endless pain fused with slow sense of decay
Twitter.com/CatherinePOET
Catherine Labiran is a spoken word/ performance poet. She enjoys using wordplay,
figurative language and vivid imagery to encapsulate her ideas. She describes poetry
as an exhale and an inhale at the same time. It allows her to vent emotions, as well as
take in moments. Even though she has only just begun performing it has completely
revolutionised her thoughts and expanded her dreams. Catherine is more of a modern
urban artist, but is still greatly inspired by the classic poets such as Carol Ann Duffy.
20
UNTITLED
Your promises made my eyes glitter, flitter fluctuations of future. We held hands,
handled things.
I stood there between the blurs of life that impaired us with their fast pace, no time to
waste, money to make antics, frantic and hair-raising, from when we wake – self-raising.
Times grew colder, discovered heat beneath the sheets, ammunition tucked under the
mattress, madness, cupid’s arrows, coloured like sparrows.
My arms stretched, crucifixion for you, fixation on the mirrors of miracle reflected in the
minor things you do.
Like when you laugh at jokeless jokes, fake chuckles, emotionless eyes shifting, twisting
in chair, like it was the joke of the year.
Or when you actually found something funny and your laughs grew louder, broke into
snorts, till you’re folded at waist, went red in face.
A mess with moist palms, I was there to massage messages of serenity so the lines on
your palm would grow deeper.
You allowed me to taste the freedom of skiing down slopes or tight-roping with high-
hopes or reading prediction-less fiction you gave me more than butterflies, you gave jet
planes.
Tattooing my name on pleased clouds I bounced on them like sunshine going down.
Even the turbulence had a nice feel to it, a nice real to it.
21
I grew a strong tongue from screaming. But an even stronger heart for waking up entan-
gled in you and thinking that I’m dreaming.
Gazing, glazing covers, creating windows, stop the wind blow, gazing lovers.
I stared at you through the knotted kinks in my hair, that’s how we spent valentines every
year,
Materialism faded into toneless shades.
Catherine Labiran
22
FRANCIS XAVIER LABIRAN
www.fxlrevolution.wordpress.com
Twitter.com/FXL_REVOLUTION
Youtube.com/FXLPOET
As a young man that grew up in three continents, Francis did not discover poetry until
a man he describes as ‘’the most influential teacher in his life’’ submerged him into the
world of the imagination. 5 years on and the self proclaimed ‘Revolutionary Word Art-
ist’ has begun to develop a unique portfolio of work. He has gone from publishing his
poetry on blogs to performing them live, to bring his work to the attention of a wider
demographic. Heavily inspired by the themes of Love, Religion, Politics and Revolu-
tionary ideologies, his work uses vivid imagery to illustrate his point of view and leave
an impression in the minds of his audience. He attributes his ability to create such art
to God, and he thanks him for giving him the medium to express himself.
23
GREY ROSE
Wordjar
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