Jekwu Ozoemene

Shadows of Existence: an Anthology of Poetry Jekwu Ozoemene

In this highly moving collection of poetry, Nigerian poet Jekwu Ozoemene shares a rich kaleidoscopic world of African and Western meter, rhythm, and metaphors that present powerful images of the African continent, its people, and the love that surrounds them.

Ozoemene was inspired to write his first collection of poetry after listening to Professor Karen King Aribisala's reading of D. H. Lawrence's Snake at the University of Lagos, Nigeria in 1993. In lyrical verse that showcases immense emotional power, sensory impact, and conceptual interest, Ozoemene offers thoughts of a young man who matured quicker than others and, as a result, grappled with the frustrations and depressions of the adult world. As he battled with the strange idiosyncrasies of life, he sought and found answers to many of his introspective questions through his poetry.

Without shying away from controversial issues such as the abuse of women, bigotry, and religious differences, Ozoemene shares an inspiring message of hope in this, his first compilation of poetry.