Jaachi Writes

Types Of Poetry  Poetry is literary expression in which language is used in a concentrated blend of sound and imagery to create an emotional response; essentially rhythmic, it is usually metrical and frequently structured in stanzas.  This is to help you get acquainted with the various forms of poetry existent and help broaden your art.  There are more than a hundred types of poetry. I will break them into 10 bits. I'll do this alphabetically. We start with the As. For sake of time, I couldn’t give examples of ‘all’ types listed. But there are few examples given.  1. Abecedarian poem - As the name implies (ABCD), it is a poem having verses beginning with the successive letters of the alphabet.  e.g:  After a long stare at shooting stars Bolade shut his aching eyes calling on dead gods like a dying priest dangling from his gallow. - Stefn Sylvester Anyatonwu Noticed how each line of the above poem begins with the successive letters of the alphabet? 2. Abstract Poetry - Poetry that

Hello, I believe the first series of this article tasted like finely brewed wine. Here's the continuation.  But before we dive into the main course, I have a few questions for you.  Were you able to write, at least, a poem over the weekend? If yes, what challenges did you encounter? What inspired your poem? Do you think you did your best? Mind sharing the poem with me? If yes, send me a message via Facebook messenger, let's discuss. Alright, on to the next series. Revise, Revise, Revise! I don’t think people talk about revision enough. I have never been used to revision, and it caught up to me.  Whatever you create, right off the first go, is usually not a masterpiece .  Some people say that the rawness of a first draft is indicative of its true power. Well, true. But a poem is made of a few parts, one being heart and one being craft, I think.  What you write first is the heart of the poem. And then craft is where technique comes in. This is when you finesse it, color in the li

This is going to be lengthy. So please, settle down in your favourite position (lie down, sit, stand, squat, hang mid air... whatever suits you),and then, grab a cup of coffee and let's get started. In today's Vocabulary class, we are going to learn some new literary words to spice up our poetry writing.  In many writing exercises, whether they be writing a job application, creating a speech, orbusiness writing, you will probably have been told to use everyday words and keep your language simple. That is often very sound advice, and helps keep communication simple and effective.  In some contexts, though, you may wish to use a less common, more elevated word. This list of words below would largely be used in writing that was intentionally seeking a literary tone. For us, it is a poem.  Here we go, literary words. A abode - a home access - an outburst of an emotion adieu - goodbye afar - at a distance apace - quickly argosy - a large merchant ship arrant - utter asunder - into p

POEM 170: OF MISOGYNY AND WHATEVER In the world of man, the other has no say, It's an ancient ritual, she bears the blame. Wasn't Eden immaculate before she splashed the stain? So he stands saint like a paradox of pain! From faith, to fear, to what she should She's made to believe to be God's afterthought. They point her to man-made Talmud and smear history on her face like sooth to clay pot. Is she destined to live in denial of her existence? Why lock her in a cage of your own pretense? Why tongue-cheeky powwow and knot your front tails into a bow? She's a being equal! Not licked up from the ground of God's afterthought! She's a soul equal! Not a stain on your bloated ego! She's equal! Not a blight in your dim eyes! She's equal! Not a threat to your clay throne! She's equal! ...let that sink, man.  😂 #365DaysOfPoetry #Pengician #SSA Click HERE to Download SSA mobile app for Android Phones and get instant access to poems, writing tools and Po

"Letter From Super Eagles" You adorned our vigorous frames With jerseys so woefully-beautiful Sent us to the field To dribble against the white Then planned a grievous celebration For our victory, And we never knew... So while our strengths fed your ego, You plotted a bloody soccer game in our homeland, Turned our farmlands into football fields Employed animals as your players Made herdsmen your referees, Their weapons - the ball, Our families - your target, And we never knew... While we scored in unit They made a hundred dead bodies their goals When we popped champagne with shouts of triumph, They spilled more blood with roars of resentment, Yet, we never knew... We never knew, these dearly attires were mourning dresses And consolations for your abomination. We never knew sorrowful moans excite your eardrums Than sounds of victory. We never knew your heart delights more In the unity of cows than that of a Nation... And again, you're sending us to the field With bloods

UPCOMING SHORT STORY CONTESTS  The Moth International Short Prize Story is open to previously unpublished works of fiction up to 5000 words. The winner will receive €3000 and prizes for second and third place are also offered. Entries close on 30 June. Brighton Prize is a short fiction contest open to writers worldwide. Entries must be between 1000 and 2000 words, with the winner to receive £1000 (US$1350). There are also two runners-up prizes and all winning and placed stories will be published in an anthology. Entries close on 1 July. Seán Ó Faoláin International Short Story Competition is an annual short story competition open to writers from around the world. First prize is €2000 (US$2100), publication in the literary journal Southword, and a week-long residency at Anam Cara Writer’s and Artist’s Retreat. Entries close on 31 July. Key West Literary Seminar  is accepting applications from US-based writers for three Emerging Writer Awards (for poetry, a novel-in-progress, and a short

Here's a list of Nigerian online blogs where you can submit your poems for publication.  N/B: This list is updated occasionally. WRR WRR boasts to be a foremost Nigerian publishing and educational institution. Operating from Ibadan, Lagos and Abuja, her strong social-service culture and active engagement of the Nigerian audience has seen WRR grow into a company that is rapidly changing the Nigerian literature landscape. WORDS RHYMES & RHYTHM began in August 2012 as a Facebook-based community of writers, helping each other grow. For Submissions, click here ACEWorld Accepts poems, short stories and literary articles. For Submissions, click here Tush Stories Tushstories is an online/mobile platform where young gifted writers can publish their stories without stress, for free. Avid readers can have easy access to interesting creatively written stories with just one click FOR FREE. They can also share interesting stories with friends and family anytime, anywhere! For Submissions, cl

We attract what we fear. Have you ever heard someone say this to you? In psychological circles, we are used to hearing that sometimes pain is the best medicine. This statement may surprise you or you may not even agree with it. But really, the truth is that every emotion we experience, whether positive or negative, teaches us something. Suffering, for example, is usually the best tool for developing our life skills. It carves out new roads and paths as we learn from loss, defeat and disappointments. Although there are some who prefer not to see the pain, there are others who are more inclined to hide it in the deepest corners of their minds, forever locking it away. There is no way to escape pain and it will be experienced from time to time in different ways. We will feel anger, resentment and frustration whether we like it or not. We cannot run away from these emotions. Whatever we fear, we attract. Today we are going to discuss the fear of negative emotions. When negative emotion tra

POEM 169: WE PLATEAU MUCH If the title made you laugh you're the reason I wrote the piece. Ukelle chant war cries burning down Iyila, their boarder mates. In Barkin Ladi are barking dogs laden with hate, tearing down the thin fabric that unite a divided us. Can't you see? From South to the naught we play dice with human lives. When I was a child, I pride in rivers Niger and Benue, rowed my boat in their confluence, and sang the anthem with enthusiasm but now I can't swim this river of blood nor pledge allegiance to this cult. Have you seen the pictures? Don't you care for Jos?  How long shall we kneel and pray while the enemy rise to prey? It's true, for now I understand, the Jos shall leave by fate. For when we burn our neighborhood and raze in fire our countrymen, the one true god shall grin divine and savour this burnt offering. Aye? Head here, body there mother and suckling child lie in death. Their crime was singing 'We Are Here' and believing 'all

As The Candles Go Out - Martins Deep As The Candles Go Out As the candles go out and nightfall comes ambling by with the haunting scent of the monsters in your nightmares When I'm too far away to save your ears from the lashing thoughts of a hard day breathe.  Dream without caution. When the fragrance of flora fades at the sacred place by the stream where our hearts climb up the loftiest vaults with scarred backs breaking under totes full of dreams Feel for my prints on your skin like spells to drive away depression. Would you write a letter that will never reach the Post Office telling how your heart is a mad rainmaker calling clouds to burst from your eyes flooding over what cries for your breast aside me? Would the child in you find a cradle between the lines of my poetry for the cold night? Light years is a light thing for the flight of souls seeking to make a whole Imagination is a winged chariot that wants to show you the holes in time. Touch me through the wisps of smoke fro

When I discovered my love for writing, I was just... well, I've always been a writer. I just wanted to paint my thoughts with words and I fell deeply in love with the art of writing. The bond between my pen, my diary and myself is so amazing. Years later, I knew I had to write, the passion I had kept me going and of course God has never ceased to amaze me with inspirational ideas, situations and all what a writer needs to keep creative juices ever flowing. He's been the real supporter behind my scribbles. I just want to encourage somebody, whatever vision God gave you, just start it. It may feel like a child's play today, but don't ever give in to giving up. #SSA is not there yet but it's not where it use to be. My vision is way bigger than whatever I have achieved today.  As sun rises, I go one level higher, and at sunset, I retire with a bigger dream. Everyday gets better. I'm not alone in this, and so I'm grateful to every wonderful person who believe in

Deadlines and details do sometimes change. Please don’t forget to check the relevant websites for all the latest details.  Visit the websites by clicking on the subheadings. Puritan: Frontiers of New English An online, quarterly publication based in Toronto. It publishes new fiction, poetry, interviews, essays and reviews by both Canadian and international writers. Submissions received before 25 June will be considered for the summer issue. Cha: An Asian Literary Journal A Hong Kong-based journal dedicated to publishing quality poetry, short stories, creative non-fiction, drama, and reviews written in English, as well as photography and art. It has a strong focus on Asian-themed creative work or work done by Asian writers and artists. Submissions for Cha’s ‘Writing Singapore’ issue are open until 30 June. SAND An English-language literary journal published twice annually in Berlin. It features prose and poetry, translations, art and photography. Submissions reopen on 11 May and close i

Poets are an odd, beautiful breed. Constantly observant and obsessed by details, we speak a language that can transcend time, cultures, religion, ideologies and places. My poetic life started before I was even born, I believe, but really I’ve been a part-time poet for about a decade. At first, it was painting and drawing. I would imagine things, people and places, and then create those imaginations as pictures, comics and just anything painting. Next in line was music. I'd compose songs and sing along. Write songs and record them over my dad's cassettes.  As a child, I’d notice things the other children didn’t; I saw the world as a place filled with secrets hidden in trees and the birds of the air, in-between colors of the sky, stagnant water bodies, frogs, people's eyes and my skin. I see beyond the texture of fabrics, furniture and everything around me. Even whispers could mean something else to my arty ears. I could make a world out of the smallest moment. I still do.  B