Sketchbook  E. E. Sule, Nigeria

 

E. E. Sule Talkshop Talkshop started in 2002 in the large city of Kaduna, Nigeria, where poets and writers of different backgrounds and artistic affinities live. It is part of the regular reading organised by the Association of Nigerian Authors, Kaduna branch, and the Kaduna Writers’ League. The two associations are organically linked because most members of one are members of the other. Notable pioneers of Talkshop are Sumaila Umaisha, Diego Okenyodo, Friday John Abba, Jerome Ajayi, Emma Akut and Saka Aliyu. The one-hour Talkshop holds every Saturday at Arewa House. The Editor who is responsible for the weekly bulletin of ANA chooses an inspiring quotation from any important book – here all genres and extra-literary works are considered, but the emphasis is placed on the greatness of the book. So, whether the classic is in poetry or fiction or drama or in the sciences, once the quotation is able to generate debate, it is brought to Talkshop. The Editor, after giving a brief background of the book from which the quotation is taken, presents the quotation. Participants contribute to the debate based on their understanding of the quotation presented. As a result, there are diverse views and interpretations that give way to disparate postulations and conclusions. Members may end up agreeing on a particular point or disagreeing and holding their individual opinion. The aim of Talkshop is to stimulate debate and help instill oratorical confidence in poets and writers. Beyond that, it also brings to the awareness of the writers great ideas that can inspire them in their literary efforts. Every week, Saka Aliyu writes a report in which the dramatic debate is presented to the literati of Nigeria. It is from reading Aliyu’s report that I got interested in Talkshop.

 

Free Verse The unspoken verb Between you and I The unspoken verb Seeks the magic of speech Throbbing in your eyes And in my eyes My lips are not worthy To make this speech My tongue is broken Still unhealed From the lie I told myself the first day I set my eyes on you It is you, dear A Who can make immortal melody With this lifeless verb In the bravery of your tongue This verb longing for life Will find the magic of speech And my tongue will be healed As the verb breathes life out of you   Violent but at once tender Don’t come in defence so hostile Don’t masquerade in shifty tongue Dear M For the love I advance Is a raging wind Violent but at once tender Provoke me not with a moral doctrine Stir me not with a personal idiom For the love I advance Sweeps all reasons In its furious flow I, patent lover Namesake of the Wind Burst into your heart Homecome to reclaim my kiss.

 

 

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