Anthony Oziegbe Michael

Cow Republic Anthony Oziegbe Michael

Cow Republic introduces a personal voice which explores the interplays between traditional formalism and contemporary styles and themes. The collection features themes of the African experience, as well as the clash between the modern and traditional worlds, as references to Google and Coca-Cola appear alongside stories involving the violence of slavery or industry against traditional cultures. Some of the poems which most prominently display these features combine form and content in ways that are traditional but at the same time present intriguing avenues for exploration of what it means to come from a place that is at once historic and contemporary, beautiful and ugly. While typically simple on the surface in terms of structures, narratives, and diction, many of the poems are far more complex than they might initially appear. Flexibility with styles and technique do not interfere with the poetic voice, which remains constant throughout. The subtleties of theme and variation in content and style in poems such as "Nigeria for Sale", "Wake Up Africa", and "Who Are They?" should not be mistaken for lack of imagination, but rather viewed as a sensitive and clever manipulation of stanza, diction, and theme to express ideas that are both highly personal and emotional, and also visual and global. Straightforward yet thought-provoking, with a style at the same time minimalist and complex, this collection offers its reader a dynamic experience, shifting between emotions, values, and cultures, all the while maintaining the integrity of the poetic voice and meaning.