Poetry reflects my realities, fears, excitements, happiness, sadness

Port Harcourt-based poet, Obiorah Momife, will launch three poetry collections on December 3, 2016. They are So Far Away, Eye of The One Who Loves and Where Two Roads Meet. His first collection was Roses and Thorns.

These collections, according to Momife, reflect his personal themes, “My realities, my fears, my excitements, my happiness, my sadness; things I see around me… in our world. Things I can’t defeat and things I conquer with my pen… and in my mind… and waiting for their manifestation.”

As such, the themes intertwine to produce wholesome feast of poetry.

For him, “The oceans of the world cannot be truly separated though we call them by different names when they flow past certain places,” he noted. “They are from the same source so have common themes. The world revolves round and round and overlaps some places. We often hear of the eclipse of the moon and sun. We may have overlaps but they are certainly distinct.

“Also as watchmen, if any ill in society resists, there is a need to keep hammering on it. But the truth is that beyond the subject and theme are the concepts of colour, rhythm, and historical/societal relevance of some of the works.”

Momife stated that he didn’t set out producing three collections, but that they are a product of years of working at his craft.

According to him, “Honestly, I did not plan to present the three at once. They are 2014, 2015 and 2016 collections. Due to many challenges on my way, I had to keep postponing them till the thought to do the three came.

“I find myself writing and writing and as the inspiration comes, I write. Nothing else informs the “avalanche” than just the opportunity to hit while the iron is hot.

“Basically, my motivation is to express myself. Speak my views to my world. Love those I can’t love physically and punish those that I think deserve punishment… all through my ink and paper!”

Momife is convinced poetry is on the rise in the country, adding, “I think that poetry is on the rise again in Nigeria. I believe times of trial and pain in society redirect people into introspection and, often, the release is their creative works of which poetry is one of them. And it is good for poetry to be on the rise and to reach every corner for its wonderful task of unfurling the mind into creative thinking and appreciation.”

On the question of audience, Momife noted, “I have everyone in mind when I write. Indeed, you know that poetry is like a beautiful woman; she could be ugly in the mind of those that the message hits hard and beautiful even to be kissed by those it offers a message of hope and release.”