Favourite Poems of 2010

Readers' Picks:

TRƆTRƆ by Kwadwo Kwarteng (Issue 4.3, January 16th - 22nd, 2010)

Comments on TRƆTRƆ:

"I love the way Kwadwo Kwarteng explored sounds to paint a vivid picture in the mind of readers, about an experience most of us have witnessed! Whoever reads the poem can imagine what to expect in the "Trotro" on any day." - Oteng Owusu

"Kwarteng has the potential/ability of breathing life into each sound - be it chaotic or serene. And the life-span [of the poem] is long and enduring in the ears of those who cherish rhythm." - Darko Antwi

Silence by Samuel Adjei Ntow (Issue 4.8, February 20th - 26th, 2010)

Comments on Silence:

"With a very good command of the English language, and the highest order of figurative speech, Ntow uses the trance-like Silence to express both the interior and exterior relationship between a social organism and its environment." - Darko Antwi

"This is a good work. Indeed these [things] do happen through the night in Ghanaian settings and for Ntow to have captured the details in his work makes it wonderful. Well done." - Nana Agyemang Ofosu

The Deer Hunt by Mariska Taylor-Darko (Issue 4.38, September 25th - October 1st, 2010)

Comments on The Deer Hunt:

"I chose this poem based on three broad categories: 1. Its descriptive screenplay quality, appropriate POV and clever use of imagery, 2. Its socio-cultural significance, and 3. Its potential as a reference point in literature books for educational purposes." - Dela Bobobee (Read Dela's essay on The Deer Hunt here)

"This title stands the chance of being a key literature in any modern Ghanaian collection of cultural importance." - Darko Antwi

Staff Picks:

Swear Note by L.S. Mensah (Issue 4.29, July 17th - 23rd, 2010)

Comments on Swear Note:

"I love this piece because it addresses a serious and emotional issue in our modern society using various figures of speech and animations that put your mind to work and make you visualize the brutal activities that women under trokosi go through. I am sure any women's organisation would love to use this piece for advocacy" - Julian Adomako-Gyimah

"L.S. Mensah's use of the specular is apt for the theme of mirrors in this poem. She uses the same words in reverse structure to capture an ancient African saying: "if you point at a person with your index finger, remember the rest are pointing at you."" - Prince Mensah

old dust made new by Daniela Elza (Issue 4.11, March 13th - 19th, 2010)

Comments on old dust made new:

"Daniela uses spaces to create a sparse landscape and a staccato of varied emotions in a poem that captures Harmattan in all its glory and grimness. " - Prince Mensah

"I personally haven't experienced Harmattan for a while and this piece brings back memories, particularly of when I was a kid and had little control about the damage that this season caused our hands and lips. Great work. " - Julian Adomako-Gyimah

The Burial of Saint Domeabra by Darko Antwi (Issue 4.36, September 11th - 17th, 2010)

Comment on The Burial of Saint Domeabra:

"Poet and critic Darko Antwi delivers a loaded sermon in his poem about transience. More hidden is his indictment of culture in playing games with a person's reputation. Darko's poem is international in reach, even though it is local in description. "The Burial of Saint Domeabra" is a palatable piece of work: it contains an array of food for thought." - Prince Mensah