Please join me in welcoming Daniel also known as Ordinary Mind to the blog. If you are a fun of Kenyan Poets Lounge or "Spoken Word" in the Buzz, Sunday Nation newspaper you will probably recognize his name.
He is an incredibly talented poet who resides in Eldoret. He is the brainchild of C.O.F.F.E.E and ONE NIGHT STAND, two amazing poetry events in Eldoret. He manages a poetry group on Facebook: ELDORET POETS ASSOCIATION.
I SHALL SING AGAIN
You took away my guitar,
and broke it into pieces,
But that could not deter,
me from collecting the strings and the broken pieces.
and broke it into pieces,
But that could not deter,
me from collecting the strings and the broken pieces.
you took away my voice,
And tortured me with whips and clubs,
you said I make unnecessary noise,
you roughed me up with kicks and slaps
And tortured me with whips and clubs,
you said I make unnecessary noise,
you roughed me up with kicks and slaps
you threatened me to keep silence,
that anything I say Shall be used against me in the court of law,
But I've grown to know resilience,
I shall not let my voice lay low.
that anything I say Shall be used against me in the court of law,
But I've grown to know resilience,
I shall not let my voice lay low.
you chased me from the streets,
you burnt my poetry book,
But I had already planted my seeds,
they shall germinate,and another poem I shall cook.
you burnt my poetry book,
But I had already planted my seeds,
they shall germinate,and another poem I shall cook.
you called me a name,
and wondered of what use is a poet,
but things will never be the same,
because people have started appreciating my sonnet.
and wondered of what use is a poet,
but things will never be the same,
because people have started appreciating my sonnet.
with power of words I shall grow a flying wing,
i shall glitter,
and again you shall watch me sing,
with a new guitar.
i shall glitter,
and again you shall watch me sing,
with a new guitar.
© Daniel M. Owiti
~ O ~
Who is Daniel M. Owiti? Tell us a little something about yourself.
I am a 25 year old, currently working with Orange, I just graduated from University Of Eldoret where I was majoring in Bsc. Botany
What made you start writing poetry?
I was working in an office facing a busy street in Nairobi back in 2010, I used to witness a lot of drama happening on a daily basis and I was like "... Why can't I describe all these drama in a short poem?" So I wrote my first poem, titled 'STREET'
What sort of thing (s) did you write about when you began?
When I began writing, I concentrated on descriptive poems. I used to write about hunger, corruption, yearn for freedom....
Now, jumping the years, can you say, are there any themes that attract you as a poet? Things that you would like to write about?
Nowadays when I see "bad" things happening in our society, I'm "ignited" to point it out and address it in my poetry.
What are you currently upto? Any projects?
Currently, I'm upto getting my poems on stage and giving them a voice, with projects like ONE NIGHT STAND poetry reading and performances.
Finish this statement: Poetry should _______
Poetry should be thought provoking and emotion evoking
What or who are you currently reading?
You are quite prolific; you have written close to 400 poems. Do you have any tricks to staying inspired and focused?
The more you write, the better you write.
Are you looking forward rto publish your poems? If yes, will you want it to be as a collection or individually?
Yes, I would like my poems published, either individually or in a group anthology.
Basically this thing, writing of poetry is something which has been a great satisfaction to you in your life, is it?
Yes
The first time I saw you perform was at a well known poetry event in Eldoret: The Genesis. Is there a difference between Daniel the performance poet and Daniel the poet of the written word?
When I perform, I tend to be more serious than when I write.
Share with us the writers/poets who influence you.
I admire Chinua Achebe, Ngugi wa Thiongo, Tony Mochama, Wole Soyinka, Grace Ogot....
How often do you write
I write at least a poem a week.
Setting aside poetry, are there any other things that you would like to write or that you have written?
Apart from poetry, I've written a play 'DOUBLE INTAKE' and I'm currently writing my first novel 'KANO'
If you could only pass one piece of advice to other poets {young, up coming. aspiring} what would it be?
If you think you can write, then put it down on paper, write, write, write. The more you write the better you write.
~ O ~
Hope you enjoyed this folks!... Wait... Imagine, you know what Daniel said to me? After the short interview? Lemme just quote him... "Thank you Olga. I'm done here, and next time, please reduce the number of Qs"... Really Dan? 15 questions... Really? Hahuh! Ironic as it may sound, I guess he's a man of few words.
~ O ~
I want to take this opportunity to wish a quick recovery to those who were injured in the recent Westgate attack. I also wish to pass my condolences to the families and friends of those who lost their loved ones. I am so deeply sorry for your loss, special thoughts and heartfelt prayers are with you during this time of sorrow. I wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright, I wish you enough rain to appreciate the sun more, I wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive and... I wish you "enough pain" that the smallest joys in life appear much bigger. { Receive my hug and my love through out this note :-)}
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Xoxo
