Voices from the Woods An Anthology of Poems from East Africa and Beyond Edited by Christopher Okemwa

Description

Voices from the Woods comprises a collection of poems drawn from Kenya and other parts of Africa. Its compilation is premised on the need to bring out and explore the ever-changing complex issues that have occupied society in recent times and attempts to capture the reality of life in the present day. Both old and young voices have been included, bringing in student-poets to blend with other upcoming as well as published poets. While a high proportion of poems are drawn from Kenya, and indeed East Africa, countries such as Zambia, Egypt, Nigeria, South Africa, Namibia, Ghana, Chad, Botswana, Tunisia, Cameroon and Togo have been included, making the collection a truly African anthology.

Poems in the anthology are grouped thematically and delve into the wide spectrum of socio-economic and political concerns, from urban and rural lifestyles to personal Issues such as loneliness and dreams, grief, loss and death. There are also issues of African aesthetics, philosophy and religion and the environment. Of significance are poems that explore new ideas and issues that may not be found in anthologies of yester years – climate sustainability, talents and life skills, health and well-being, and financial literacy are some of these themes, and which have been explicitly presented in this collection. Moreover, the rich introductory material that forms Part One of the anthology makes the book a useful resource for teachers and students of poetry at various levels of education.