Third Installment of Z.I. Mahmud’s thesis on David Copperfield

Charles Dickens’ fictional characters depict and portray autobiographical sketches exhibiting the transcendental life experiences, memoirs and events, nostalgia and reminiscences.  In English Literature William Shakespeare’s unparalleled characterization interestingly awakened spirituality and morality in the enterprise of Dickensian characters. This reincarnation of visages or dispositions in the Dickensian prose avidly vivify rhetoric and prosody, figurative language and enjambment. Charles Dickens’ David Copperfield although tricky to be demystified by biographers or critics alike, nevertheless, the intricate details of the 800 pages narrative fascinate the fancy of reading literary fiction. Both modern and traditional critics paraphrase Dickens’ David Copperfield as supernal and infernal forces universalizing the cosmos. Theatrical stages are filming the document from biographical archives.

 Victorian family life sketches emphasize memory and memorializing of the deceased. Grief and acceptance of death should be lamentable atonement through absorption in the memories of lost relationships as explicitly remarked by psychiatrist Beverley Raphael. Omer, the decent grave undertaker and Mr. Chillip, the family physician in David Copperfield psychologically counseling David in periods of ignorance, immaturity, inexperience or fear of death pertaining to the subtlety or inevitability of bereavement. Sense of security, contemplative self or skeptical judgment reinforced David to idealise his mother on the brink of her death. David abhors the remarriage of Clara Copperfield with snobbish Mr. Murdstone.

David felt extreme reluctance and abrogation to work in Murdstone and Granby warehouse. “no words can express the secret agony of my soul as I sink into this low companionship[…]and felt my hopes of being a learned and distinguished man, crushed in my bosom.”  Miserable existence and macabre state reflected with bigoted and radicalized David. However, David’s preservation for the fragile self-constructed identity  reiterates despite class snobbery and hurdles or struggles, “Yet I hold some station at Murdstone and Grinby’s too.” Despite this psychological distance reflects in “Though perfectly familiar with, my conduct and manner were different enough from theirs to place a space between us.” Boisterous nerve and gallantry of prowess manifested the working class or proletariat with scanty meals. David, recollects subtly […] prowling around the streets at meal times“.

Multilingualism and multiculturalism as discussed earlier in the introductory statements of the essay, Dickensian novel David Copperfield touches these aspects through the demanours of Yarmouth community. Socio linguists repertoire or repository of reading materials can be extracted or referenced. David remarks the change in her[Emily’s] demeanour Dan says fondly that her heart is so loving that she feels such things keenly: “It’s na’tral in young folk […] when they’re new to these here trails, and timid.”           

Optimistic glorious brilliances advantages and pessimistic drawbacks of the novel David Copperfield in feminist criticism

Dickens intimates the novel with sheer brilliance of feminist idealization in the character of Agnes Wickfield. Crooked are those defamatory critics proclaiming Dickensian prose as misogynist. Despite tenderness and reconciliation  of addictiveness for Agnes, Mr. Wickfield’s withdrawal effervescence occurred. “Brooding state”, “moody” temperament, “despondency”, “delirious restlessness” of masculine characterization of Mr. Wickfield parallels with melancholic trepidation and one motive in life. “Agnes set glasses and a decanter of port wine.” By and by, Agnes fulfills symbiotic relationship with the ever loving parent Mr. Wickfield  imitating “Angel of Perfection”. However, Agnes’ perfectionism contrast parallels in sacrifice and bequeathing immortal laurels of “Angel of Death”. Victorian society, anticipates the incidents of women’s emancipation through the self -employment and embellishing careers as teachers and governess. In this life struggles, Agnes maintains the large housekeeping existence through sustaining Mr. Wickfield financially and emotionally by the end of the novel.

Another aspect of disparagement amongst critics or readers is essential to distinguish in the light of abhorrence of psychological conflict with opposite sex. Betsey Trotwood, the stereotypical spinster, whose character redeems the facsimile or replica of Miss Havisham of Great Expectations, by Charles Dickens. “There must be no mistakes in life with this”, Betsey’s rhetoric parallels analogy with that of “There must be no triffle with emotions”, Miss Havisham. Janet, the maid housekeeper of Ms. Betsey was a bachelorette, maiden, quasi-daughter of Miss. Betsey Trotwood. Janet’s diminutive Jenny symbolically feminine donkeys though tolerable insight, nonetheless, male donkeys and drivers were admonished spontaneously by the lady Betsey. Eventually David’s reunion with Betsey furthered comradeship with the angelic Agnes in London holidays redeemed. Everlasting imaginary god daughter, Betsey Trotwood’s ‘sensory illusion met fulfillment or fruition; since London home reminded the nostalgic native Dover shore countryside cottage.

Mysteries and confusions, ambiguities and secrets sometimes personify out of context exaggeration. “Littimer” depicts the symbolic seashore of David’s mind and memory. The prison scene associated with three penitents ironically drives the illusory stigma experienced by Copperield. David and Uriah Heep share the transcendental reformation, “with Littimer symbolizing a resolution within Copperfield’s memory”.

Exportation of characters to Australia in the aspirational hope that blessed fortunes dwell in that nirvana. Ironicaly, Mr. Micawber’s migration drift symbolic of the idealized Eden or heavenly solitude. This cannot be remedied as perfectionist prevalence but rather idiosyncrasy. Mr. Micawber’s fame spread there as a reputable magistrate settling corporate legal affairs or financial lawsuits in eminence. Readers or critics become skeptically introspective whether the idealization of the character of Agnes have blossomed in the deputation of characters to Australia.  

More next month!              

Poetry from Rajendra Ojha

Author Rajendra Ojha, from Kathmandu, Nepal

Positive Vibes

In the situation of the great disaster,

On their own way and level of knowledge –

Everyone are specialist; I or you.

For now let’s turn to be –

The messenger of prosperity,

Rather being the messenger of combat

Through terrorism or war.

From now let us turn off the light of ego;

And understand the power we gain,

Drinking the nectar extracted from –

Our superego.

Poetry from Mahbub

Poet Mahbub

O My Sylph

What to do and not to do

In this circumstance I like to go in touch of

The leaves and seeds of a sycamore tree

The yellowish-green flowers of the long shady tree 

Under which we can sit for taking rest

The blissful birds soothes the eyes

Setting at acute angles,

The carpels of the female flowers mature into a pair of winged fruits

The plant grows in soft wave of wind, willowy and graceful figure

Staring at the growing head and the sky

O my sylph, you are my heart to leap up and down the hill

Refreshing my body and mind

I pass my days and nights

Love and shade, the expressions of beauty

How rhetoric you talk to me!

A feeling in the moonlit starry sky, the ocean rises within

Shake me up from dying out in darkness. 

Chapainawabganj, Bangladesh

23/10//2020

Life Yearns for

Why are we breaking down

In this misty darkness?

Why are you clapping so loud

In this gray evening?

The White Silence of awe

Embarks on the long line of pathos

The ceaseless flow of the tides

The timid humanity whispers

Seeming sacrilege – the maggot’s life

A journey towards the deadly world

Tremble at the audacity, frightening around

Though life yearns for the life of immortality.

Chapainawabganj, Bangladesh

26/10//2020

The Betrayal Of Glaucus

Disclosing the secrets Glaucus, the king of Corinth

Caused a great harm for himself

To vie with you is not my nature

Crossing the land with the goats, lambs, or cows

Across the lonely green fields

And talk to the lambs

A force to live with man and nature

The furious tiger follows me running so fast

But I fly over its mouth, burning eyes

Not being able to have me in its paw

Instead I saw its tame-looking eyes

In this deep green field

I observe the dear’s eyes as beautiful as you

The pet tiger is out roaming with me

A shove back from the track

I still drive around the way – my fascinating power

The secret that must be obeyed

Though every moment it walks on the shadow

How enjoyable the fleshes of Glaucus to the horses!

Chapainawabganj, Bangladesh

26/10//2020

On The Dewy Grass

I walk on the grass

In this winter dew-wet grass

The morning glitters on the colorful light of the sun

In a moment the world seems to be covered in the mist

The dense white fog deepens the earth

So many lights from so many vehicles before and after

On the way itching the eyes

The dense white fog retards the speed

The drowsy hand on the steering

Leaving behind the grave memory

We start in the morning and finishes at night

Can we imagine the dream in the ceaseless sleeping hours?

While walking in the dew-wet grass what a glow!

Peeping through the leaves of the large Neem Tree!

Chapainawabganj, Bangladesh

27/10//2020

One Man France

Why are you killing the religion of the world?

Why you open the pages for belittling the brain utilized for?

Don’t you see the world goes upside down?

The Caricature of Prophet Mohammad (Sm.)

Why is this dark image you play for what?

This is not the freedom we attain and sustain for

This is my mirror; I see my face and respect

That is yours; only you can see and be devoted

We all are in the best condition of the hearts built the state for

Who likes to change the border? Let them do?

I live for you, you for me

We are all the same blood

Flowing through the veins pumping the hearts

The same head, eyes or all the same the human structure

That made us different from animals

Though the isle is different for walking and living

I don’t know who Zeus or Aphrodite is

So many gods we see in so many things -a mystery indeed

What a wonderful imagination; knowledge and vision

Can you open the riddle?

Most of us like to live in this world of perseverance

Though there be some exceptions

Then why is this caricature of Prophet Mohammad (Sm.)?

In the name of secularism why is this hatred on Islam?

Burning the world so furious, dear France?

Chapainawabganj, Bangladesh

27/10//2020

Poetry from Nibana Dahal

Success

To get you,
I clash a lot,
I gazed many times
while dreaming of you !!

I honoured you,
And questioned 
"Why I am standing here?" 
Finally, I came to know, only to get you !!

I came to know,
It isn't easy to get you,
So, I promised myself,
I never resist my dream because of you !!

To get you,
I was just like lunatic,
I couldn't analyse it.
"Who am I ?"
It wasn't detrimental,
To get you,
but wasn't easy to get you !!

I decline my incline,
I think it was your omen,
To me,
to be grabbed by me !!

I never get noble,
I always rushed,
To get you,

To the rowdy,
you are rare.
But to me,
Without you I am bare.!!

With the grace of god,
I want you,
And can't express my joy to be the devotee of you !!

Personal essay from Ike Boat, writer and artist

Young Black man with a green patterned collared shirt holding a microphone in front of an orange and yellow background at a literary event.
Ike Boat

*Pro-Bio* Of *Ike Boat* *Professional Biography* – Pro-Bio *Pro-Bio* – *Ike Boat* #IB Growing Up Story – GUS:

His life, like the metamorphosis stage of an African butterfly going through lots of dramatic changes thought him tremendous things, both negatives and positives. It all started on the suburban street of Amanful West in Takoradi, Western Region of Ghana where he mingled and entangled in a life-style some described as being ‘Gutter-Snipe’ or seemingly ‘Ghetto-like’. Thus, both lowly and highly cherished characteristics of a boy with futuristic ambitions in relation to his passion of every-day life. He’s a teenager with heart for reading, writing and reciting what he later termed as ‘Read Aloud Session – RAS’ for short.

Thus, literally or meaning his solitary moment he picks a story book, newspaper or magazine and hides himself at a backyard or close-door to read aloud like communicating in front of audience coupled with gesticulation and sensation in an atmosphere of loneliness. Factually, learning new things and sharing ideas became his hall-mark. Well, as the saying goes “All works and no play, makes jack a dull boy”, viz he sometimes played on sandy pitch football with some neighbors and subsequently played for his primary and junior secondary school football teams. Academically, he’s brilliant and good in lots of subjects hence won the hearts of head teachers to become school prefect in both primary and junior secondary levels respectively. Needless to say, ups and downs as well ‘Doubting Thomases’ of the hood never stopped or bothered him, as he focused in turning his passion to profession in the Arts global industry. LOL, one of his comical growing up character during his early child-hood days of life as a boy, he combined ‘Crying tears with bathing water’ often-times when he’s asked to bath and come for his meal.

Well, if this were Scripture in the book of Psalms, I’ll state ‘Selah’ literally ‘Pause and Think’. So, this GUS happens to be a mixed bag of nostalgia about the Ike Boat chap as it brings to fore deeper things yet to come in his creative arts life-style. Who’s IB Biography In Focus – BIF: Ike Boat (IB) as his popular artiste pseudonym or stage-brand name. He’s originally called Isaac Adjei Boateng to his parent both hails from the Central Region of Ghana, West Africa. In relation to his life-style of creativity and simplicity he chose the current name Ike Boat with the following as meaningful acronym I = Inspirational, K = Kind, E = Effective (IKE), B = Brilliant, O = Oral, A = Artistic, T = Truthful (BOAT).

Well, no wonder such a name has gained both local and global recognition, being on actual and virtual mediums. He’s pushed to welcome and embrace mother nature ie(Earth) on 11th June in the 80s (Eighties), being the fifth male child of seven siblings in Takoradi, Western Region of Ghana. His child-hood classroom education started at Bishop Essuah Day Nursery and Kindergarten where he continued to Bishop Essuah Primary and Junior Secondary school respectively, for which he completed in the year 1999. Unforgettably, he’s also part of the school’s choir which rehearsal was organized and done bi-weekly, thus during days of secondary cycle education. Again, academically he continued his studies at St.John’s School and completed in June,2002 as a General Arts graduate. Later in the years, his passion about ministry made him a student of Theology at Maryland Bible College & Seminary of Takoradi being on the list of starters as a means of acquiring insight and knowledge in the scriptures.

Fast forward bit, in the year 2014 specifically between October and December he’s sponsored to study A1 German linguistic at the Goethe Institut of Cantonments in Accra, Ghana. He’s such a true admirer of languages and always ready to learn from other tongues with clarity of accent as well as intonation. Indeed, he’s capable to express himself as in communicating and writing a bit in German language “Ich sprache ein bischon Deutsch”. Of course, he had average pass-mark during after test examination at Goethe Institut of Cantonments in Accra, Ghana – West Africa. His passion for music and poetry is a natural result of inspiration through writing and singing. In relation to marriage, he’s never married and remains faithful to have cross-cultural inter-racial marriage as he’s still single chap with life purpose.

Works And More – WAM: In the year 2016, he’s appointed as Manager and Librarian of Amanful Digital Library & Learning Arena – ADLLA at Amanful West suburb of Takoradi, Western Region, Ghana. Whilst there he taught school kids reading and writing skills, thus through pronunciation and dictation. His other works also proper arrangement of library shelves as well as online publications of ADLLA. It’s under his managerial role that’s when ADLLA benefited from book funding donation of $1000 dollars. Aside, he’s also able to organize first ever pre-Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) evening classes.

In 2018, he played solid management role with Samanti Super-Market, a subsidiary under the auspices of Samanti Group of Companies, thus he contributed effectively to the social media publicity and strategic online marketing of it products. He’s administrator and media director in charge of vlogs as well blogs of the super-market. On 28th, 30th and 31st July,2018 he’s instrumental in coming up with a program outline for the official grand opening of Samanti Supermarket being the MC on 28th July,2018. Subsequently, he came up with the ‘Shop And Chop – SAC’ concept as a means of customer attraction acts which took place at the Samanti Supermarket premises, Lapaz area of Accra. Specifically, as buyers were entreated with free Pizzas and Drinks, thus Monday on 30th July,2018. On the last day of July,2018 he’s part of the .Samanti Group of Companies – SGOC, team which donated $2000 dollars plus items to the Accra Psychiatric Hospital in Accra, capital of Ghana, West Africa.

Directly and indirectly, he’s also contributed to mini promo-vlogs for B-Flat Studio under PAP Zone 101 Sound Equipment and Events Company based in Kasoa, Central Region of Ghana. He also engaged in assisting then Manager of Estate Lodge Limited – ELL hitherto at Estate Top of Kasoa, Central Region of Ghana. Thus, sometimes as receptionist and other times as cleaning fellow of the premises whilst residing at same place. He’s also worked as a local port volunteer onboard the OM ships such as MV Logos II, MV Doulos and MV Logos Hope as well as serving several other mission-oriented travelers and tourist in to Ghana, thus from countries such as Britain (UK), USA, Canada, Australia, Germany just to mention but a few.

He’s also hired to worm as social media page Assistant Manager on Facebook courtesy Sprinforth Community School – SCS and there’s progressive numerical Likes. Better-still, he also did a promo-vlog to help online publicity of the school, located at East Legon in Accra, Ghana. Book Reading Review – BRR Promotional Concept He’s done special social media BRR for Authors such as Mr.Okechwuku Okugo (Nigerian) based in New York, USA. Mr.Dennis Mann (Mr.Dennis Agyeman) – Ghanaian based in Accra, capital city of Ghana.

Hitherto, he’s also been featured publications on the following online Magazines: *Wake Magazine – USA *Synchronized Chaos Magazine – USA (www.synchchaos.com) Portfolios As Artiste – PAA: Musically, his first ever demoed song titled Jubilee Love reggae genre was recorded at KODED Studio in Takoradi by then studio Assistant engineer, this in 2007. And in 2010, he recorded another Gospel Reggae single dubbed Gabbatha To Golgotha at the P&M Studio also in Takoradi, Western Region of Ghana. He has composed several songs, one titled OM All The Way dedicated to Operation Mobilization – www.om.org 

It’s later recorded in-studio whilst at Tema with a professional instrumentalist fellow. The following are some notable audio portfolios online: No Mom Like Rose (Spoke-Word Poem), I Can’t Understand – ICU (Spoken-Word Poem), Oh, CV – Corona Virus! (Spoken-Word Poem), The Piano (Spoken-Word Poem). They can be listened to via Sound-Cloud Web-Link: www.soundcloud.com/ikeboatofficial Special birthday dedication dubbed Our Triple A @ Seventy, thus Mr.Alfred Addo Acheampong (Dual citizen of USA and Ghana) with Mr.Kenneth Anim as the Executive Producer. Being such a talented vocal individual, he’s done series of Voice-Overs ranging from Adverts, Promos and Jingles which have aired both on-air (radio) and on-line (world-wide-web). Some notable ones includes: Mount Sinai Enterprise (Takoradi), Samanti Super-Market (Accra), PAMUCHAHA Program By Breakthrough Family Ministries International (Takoradi), Raycona 1 Venture (Kasoa), Green-Light Academy (Kasoa), Shining Light Educational Centre (Kasoa), Fire Of Favour Chapel International (Kasoa), Smally Green Super Collections (Nigeria), Crystal Palace Hotel (Kasoa), Poks Vocational Training Institute (Ashaiman).

He’s also recorded unreleased Poetic-Ad piece for Bel Aqua Mineral Water as a creative promotional work dubbed AABA Project still in-studio pending remix and refix engineering touches. Indeed, he’s such an incredible Voice-Over in terms of vocal prowess for making Adverts, Promo and Jingles. He’s also featured on P.O.E.T Anthology and Spoken-Word poem feature on Blaq Ice Production album in USA respectively. As a professional vocal talent, he’s also a good musical figure with demos and singles as part of his unreleased audio portfolios. In relation to film-making or movie acting, his first ever character feature took place at Blue Top Villa as he played a dramatic role as Patron in one of the scenes courtesy Gh-Media School students film project. Precisely, on 4th January,2021 – Title of Film: Riddles. He’s often open and hopes to enhance his professional portfolios to the apex, thus on higher heights in both local and global arts industry.

Media Experience – ME: Radio/Television/Internet (Online) – His first ever radio experience, thus exposure took place on Radio Maxx 105.1 FM as mere introducer of a Christian program dubbed Power Word of Jesus hosted by Rev.Nyameyekese Wireku. Specifically, it’s in the year 2003 as a fresh graduate of Senior High School (2002) at the heart of Western Region, Ghana.(West Africa). As a matter of fact, he’s associated with the following media organizations: BBC – World Service, being instrumental during the official launch of BBC 104.7 FM in the Western Region of Ghana. He’s the microphone holder towards audience contributions at the Skyy Amphitheatre during the live broadcast of World Have Your Say – WHYS hosted by Ros Atkins of British Broadcasting Corporation – BBC fame.

Unforgettably, he’s interactive and informative several times during the weekly broadcast of Maple Leaf Mail-Bag show on Radio Canada International in Montreal, Canada hosted by Ian Jones precisely via phone contributions and online submissions on the show. Better-still, he’s done numerous postal correspondence and received behind the scenes recognitions on Voice of America – VOA in USA as he did a creative poetic write-up about VOA. There’s been some other effective contributions on some notable international broadcasters, thus acting as Correspondent.

The following are some key radio stations he’s had connections and contributions in relation to program or content participation, thus even interviews and being a panelist on-air i.e. (Good-News 96.3 FM, Help 103.9 FM, Beach 105.5 FM, Paragon 99.9 FM, Empire 102.7 FM, Radio Silver 92.3 FM, Y.97.9 FM, Cheers 90.7 FM, Angel 95.5 FM, Kingdom 107.5 FM, Kyzz 89.7 FM, Twin City Radio 94.7 FM, Western Region, Ghana). GBC-Uniiq 95.7 FM, Sunny 88.7 FM, Class 91.3 FM, Joy 99.7 FM, Starr 103.5 FM – Accra, capital of Ghana). His first ever television appearance took place on TV3 Mentor as part of Western Region music audition/screening in 2006.

Subsequently, he’s also on the Vodafone Icon – Mixed Edition music audition in Takoradi-city at the time. He’s been on several other TV screens sometimes on street vox-pop and phone-in or text message contribution. Prior to 2020 General Elections in Ghana, together with Face-TV crew under the management of Grino Multi-Media he did a pre-election vox-pop sampling views about which political party and presidential candidate was likely to win power to rule the nation, Ghana. His maiden moment on live TV show as a panelist took place on Awake TV dated Friday,19th March.2021 at 10pm to 11pm which was simultaneously streamed live on Facebook. Directly and indirectly, he’s contributed to several other TV and Radio programs both in the Western and Greater Accra (Capital) regions of Ghana. Besides, He’s been effective on some notable online broadcasting platforms, even when it comes to social media publications. His rich knowledge in the media-spheres has revealed his versatility and creativity with respect to radio and television.

Hence, has made him one of the secretly and highly sought-after creative content provider, being a reputable contributor of different programs on-air and on-line respectively. He has professional connections with other on-air radio station personalities in different regions of the country due to his insightful broadcasting expertise and communication experiences. Last but not least, he’s also good when it comes to social media page and group management. Gigs In Detail – GID: Ike Boat as a Spoken-Word figure, has performed on stages such as the maiden launch of Western Music Awards in Takoradi, Western Region, Ghana. Peace Gospel Concert organized at Bethel Methodist Church, Takoradi in 2016. Spoken Reasons by Takoradi Poetry Club in Western region, Ghana. Valentine Night Show by GIE Events in Takoradi, Ghana. Reflections Music Album Launch by Minister Shedrack Tronu at Takoradi Polytechnic Auditorium, Western Region, Ghana. The Thinking Conference organized Good-News 96.3 FM, Takoradi, Ghana. Shine Awards – Breakfast Meeting – March,2018 in Accra, Ghana. Poetry And Drama Festival by Centre for National Culture – 2018 at Fijai, Sekondi, Ghana. Maiden Event of Street Praise by PAP Zone 101 at Kasoa, Central Region of Ghana. I-Code Event 2021 – Takoradi, Western Region, Ghana. PAP Zone 101 – Africa Union Day Event at Crystal Palace Hotel, Top Hill – Kasoa, Central Region, Ghana. of Just to mention but a few…

MC Of Events/Shows: IB as a skillful and brilliant Master Communicator #MC of ceremonies. He’s thrilled audiences of Birthday parties, Wedding, Engagement, Album launch and other social functions. He’s chosen to be the MC of his uncle’s 70th Birthday Party at Estate Top, Kasoa. Constantly and consistently, he’s Anchored as MC of Church programs at Mount Zion International Gospel Church, Estate Top of Kasoa. In 2018, he’s the official MC during the opening of Samanti Super-Market at Lapaz, Accra. Indeed, two consecutive times he’s MC of Street Praise organized by PAP Zone 101 at Kasoa, Central Region of Ghana. He’s also contributed as supporting or auxiliary MC of Wedding Feast which took place at Blue Top Villa, Kasoa, Ghana. Better-still, he’s the auxiliary MC alongside DJ during Graduation Event organized by In God We Trust Vocational Training Institute at Kasoa, Central Region, Ghana. Interestingly, he’s often quite entertaining when MC alongside DJ playing music to audiences. He’s often influential figure, be it minor or major events or shows.

Achievements/Awards/Nominations – AAN: 2014 – Nominee (International Poet of the Year), NPA – National Poetry Awards, USA. 2015 – Nominee (International Poet of the Year), NPA – National Poetry Awards, USA. 2016 – Awardee (Winner) – (International Poet of the Year), NPA – National Poetry Awards, USA 2017 – Awardee (Winner) – (Best International Artist of the Year), NSWA – National Spoken-Word Awards – Courtesy ‘Blaq Ice Production’ – USA. People Of Extraordinary Talent – P.O.E.T – Africa Ambassadorial Award, USA. 2018 – Awardee (Winner) – (Best International Artist of the Year), NSWA – National Spoken-Word Awards – Courtesy ‘Blaq Ice Production’ – USA. Shine Awards – Nominee – Poet Of The Year, Accra – Ghana, 2019 – Awardee (Winner) – (Best International Artist of the Year), NSWA – National Spoken-Word Awards – Courtesy ‘Blaq Ice Production’ – USA. 2020 – Nominee – (Best International Artist of the Year), NSWA – National Spoken-Word Awards – Courtesy ‘Blaq Ice Production’ – USA. Bronze Certificate – Vocal Category – Virtual Edition – World Championship Of Performing Arts – WCOPA, USA. Tikpan TV Writing Contest, UK & Ghana – 1st Edition – First Winner 2021 – Nominee – (Best International Artist of the Year), NSWA – National Spoken-Word Awards – Courtesy ‘Blaq Ice Production’ – USA. 2021 – Nominee – (Humanitarian Of The Year) – Global Empire Entertainment Media Awards – GEEMA, USA

Ken Ciocco reviews Michael Robinson’s poetry collection From Chains to Freedom

At a time when many Americans feel that we may finally, after over 150 years, be coming to some form of recognition of the Black experience, Michael J. Robinson’s From Chains to Freedom gives voice to the pain and loss suffered by so many long ago. Only time will tell if this moment will be the change we are seeking but Michael’s poems will live on, regardless.


The poems here are tightly constructed images of the slave experience with the sea and salvation the only comforting companions to the world they were forced into.

This collection provides a history and imagery that cannot be forgotten. They are designed to be reread and reconsidered for their messages. Recently poetry has enjoyed popular recognition with several collections nudging out novels on the NY Times bestseller list. Hopefully this interest will extend to such vital collections as From Chains to Freedom as it a work that deserves to be recognized. It serves as a historical reminder of an American mindset that is too easily misrepresented in our culture. It brings the pain of the past to the present.

Poetry from Mark Young

 
 
 
 
 Room 281
  
 A divination of entropy, in
 which people pass but
 collide with one another
 in corridors that then be-
 come impassable. When he
  
 found her, she was reading
 an Icelandic detective story,
 somewhat convoluted as well 
 as full of multi-syllable patro-
 nymic or matronymic names. 
  
 The building that housed the 
 radio telescope was caught by 
 sunlight, then let down gently.
 Its message bank was empty.
 Later he walked home alone. 
 
   
 From the Pound Cantos: CENTO XXV
  
 Propped between chairs & 
 table, torches melt in the glare. 
 Flame leaps from the hand, 
 the rain is listless, the leaves are
 full of voices. Our bodies also
 heavy with weeping. Time
 spent knocking at empty rooms,
 stubborn against the fact. 
  
 An ex-convict out of Italy, 
 water running off from his twis-
 ted arms, swung for a moment 
 & knocked me into the black 
 snout of a porpoise gripping the
 blue-gray glass of the wave. 
  
 
  
 A line from Jimi Hendrix
  
 Despite it being a culturally
 inclusive environment, delive-
 ring messages intended for
 airborne bacteria presents a
  
 unique challenge. Because of
 constant barriers — such as a 
 vacuum cleaner able to rescue 
 a dog from a mini iceberg — there
  
 is only ever one way in. Test the 
 water, & in time find that the most 
 efficient method is to hide them in
 a radio program full of mirrors.
  
 
   
 languor longer
  
 He thought indo-
 lence might be a 
 group of languages 
 along the lines of 
  
 Indo-European, 
 but found he didn't
 have sufficient 
 drive to look it up.