THE AFRICAN DREAM ANTHOLOGY

THE AFRICAN DREAM ANTHOLOGY - HYMNS OF THE BLACK VOICES

Africa sings a song none has ever heard, from the eccentric cracking of its desert to the siren of its deep waters, there are numerous stories to tell, stories of hope, of life, of beauty and the list is endless in truth. We want to verse our stories, (the good, The Bad, The ugly).To describe mother's beauty in our rich blackless, to blunt the sword of oppression with sassy words, share our hopes and to most importantly help build our African dreams!.

REASON FOR THE ANTHOLOGY
Builders of the African Dream is supporting its affiliate 'The-I'll-Be-There Foundation' to raise funds for the construction of an orphanage which by design will house not less than 500 street children and also provide three classroom blocks for their tuition.
It is in this view that we hope to generate some appreciable funds from the sale of this anthology to back our brethren in the Makerere University, Kampala Uganda.

Help Lets make the street for Cars not Homes.

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS:

The Builders of African dreams calls for submission for its poetry anthology titled "HYMNS OF THE BLACK VOICES"

Submission is now opened and will end on December 5, 2013

Poets are allowed to submit up to three(3) poems, but no more

Poems must be original work of the poet and more preferably not yet published in print, blog, or anywhere on the web, with only the exclusion of Facebook and twitter

There is no restriction on length, form, scheme or meter, be as free as you be, and even more creative!

Poems should be in English, but English mixed with any African dialect is accepted with a footnote explaining the African words

Poems must be centered on any of the following themes:
The pride of Africa, The earthly riches, Colonization, Africa Economic Crisis, Africa Politics, Capitalism, Slavery, African women, Tears of Africans, Corruption in Africa, Life in Africa, Feminism, African Activism, African Child and Street Children, African Mythology, African Culture and any other African oriented themes.

Is All about Africa, fetching Hope and Strength from our sorrowful past in marching towards the African Dream and the Africa in the eyes of Africans.

All poems Should be submitted to the groups inbox, or to any of the following email addresses:

cliffordoppong@aol.com
victoradex94@yahoo.com
kabagambemoses01@gmail.com

PUBLICATION
The African Dream Anthology (HYMNS OF THE BLACK VOICES) will be first published as an e-book and be available for sale on most online shops and websites.
Each contributing Poet will be served a free e-book copy of the Anthology.
The e-book will after some few months be published in hard copy books and sold out across the world.
We will keep updating this group on the progress of this Anthology.

will be looking forward to great co-operation from you
Thank you

The Builders Of African Dream( https://www.facebook.com/BuildersofAfricaDream),
Organizer

Contact for Details: +233-243129401, +2348166059110

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MY FACE OF FACEBOOK

Many beauties my eyes have seen
Of school, work and movie scenes
Facebook has its own but many with face paints
Sometimes I see, laugh and even faint

But

You
Benedicta Agweh

I love your vivid, lovely smiling face
Lips spread wide with no lipstick trace
In your eyes, I can name a Queen
I can watch all day if its you on the screen
Love your long, lean and laughing legs
Not wearing those painful high heel skegs
Nigeria has many good and better to boast
But your likes are best and every man's toast

Its first time speaking my mind
Listen, if you can clearly hear
That your beauty is more beautiful
than that which your picture brings
Yes, is true, I saw that in your words
I see your pictures and I don't comment
it is because they set my mind dancing
and it doesn't stop to write
That slender body of yours
Not only models, but my bad days it cures
You don't know what you done for me
You push my mornings from worst to best
With this miracles in your teeth
Keep smiling to my profile
lest I lose all my friends


Now
To my Face of Facebook
Eat, drink, exercise and stay natural
Make-up comes from old french fry grease
Glamour says it's good but I say "geez"
What woman would ever want that nasty stuff
When your natural beauty is more than enough
So spend your money on natural good looks
And ignore those insane marketing crooks

YOUR BEAUTY IS SIMPLY BEAUTIFUL


Written By: Oppong Clifford Benjamin for Benedicta Agweh as her share of my birthday cake. Bene bite and swallow.

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UNDERSTANDING HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT by Osei Piesie Anto

Osei Piesie Anto, is a renowned voice in the politics of Ghana. He is popularly known in the Ghana Broadcasting Cooperation and many radio stations as Uncle Piesie. His usual contribution and commentaries on the disturbing challenges in the country has been very useful and soothing in the ears of all or most Ghanaians.

Besides his Political backcloth, he is most seen in the coat of Mass communication and Human Resource Management. Uncle Piesie is currently a senior lecturer at the African University College of Communication (AUCC), Accra.Ghana.

Master Osei  is well known in the regime of Ex President Jerry John Rawlings for his very intellectual articles. He was an active partaker of the revolution time, a moment he so prides in.

The book in picture is his second book born in his library of books and articles. A detail review will soon be published for details.
Knowing not only as a Father but also an academician and educationist, I can confidently proclaim that this book is all that a Human Resource Personnel will need to embrace fully the field. His so many years of lecturing experience in the field has been inked into this book to make it a learner's tool and easy to understand.

Wait for the review or if you cannot hold your patience like me then contact

 Osei Piesie Anto (MBA, Bradford University-UK)
Tel: +233-243232506

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ALL POETS WISHED ME WELL ON MY B'DAY,ESPECIALLY

1. A great one has sucessfully revolved round d sun.....
Challenges didnt weigh him....
Hindrances didnt refrain him...
Congratulobia 2 d voice of Africa..
Hapi birthday Sir Cliff......njoy
THOU SHALL NOT EAT MY PORTION OF D CAKE...THUS SAYS ME*smiles* 
By: Aigbomian Lyzbeth Egehase

2. U . set on higher courses of influence
    separated unto good works
    a hero dat life imitates.
    May God's grace guide&guard u step by step, line by line
    4 His perfection&glory, ur new level.
    Happy birthday boss
 By: Kemjy Xtien

3.  Clifford,
  the One who who recites about me with praise.
 Charming gardener that makes heart blossom.
 Rise to shine. Son of the Soil.
 Forever teasing or foil.
 Ink and blink.
 At pleasures of others to think.
 May the sunrays transcend and decorate you
 with success, joy, prosperity and love and light to make all things right.
Blessed Bornday, other Son of Mine.
Kisses on your forehead. *Tigh Hug)).
 By: The all loving Mum  Noleen Utterance Desiree Titus

4.  That day of your birth

That day of no regret
When the world rejoiced
For a new soul was ushered into it.

May the petals of your soul
Blossom forever;
May the thorns of the road
Never hold you back.
March onwards
Seize time by its forelock
Yea, you can!
Happy birthday, pride of Accra

*mail me my cake soon*

By:  Darlington Ekene Ogugua

5. The soul of Africa
Flow in your ink
The skin of Africa
Lie on your sheet
Your Words,
Her Breathe...

Not to bind,
But to help loose
Her troubled cords.

Your dream for
Africa will be fulfilled.

To the wishes and prayers
You wish yourself,
From me is Amen.

Happy Birthday,
Pen Warrior.
God grace, mercy
and blessings will
abound in your life

 By:Ola Writes

6. ON THIS DAY (BIRTHDAY WISHES)

Many years ago you were born
With tears, laughter and joyful song
Nothing but smiles you brought along
The death of years we will not mourn

The little babe of yesterday
Today the cause of merriment
Despite the fang of years and dent
Joyful tales we are here to say

All thanks to Him in the highest
The one who giveth all the years
And cast away all profound fears
�Tis He that kept you in His nest

May the rest of your earthly days
Be the best you will ever sail
May every year on this day bail
More success in multiple ways

 By: Adetimilehin VicAdex Inioluwa

7.  He's Added 730 Clocks!

Shoot the bells!
Ring the guns!
The shame is hell's
the smile is the sun's.
He's added 730 clocks.

Roll the moon!
Spread the cloud!
The night be noon!
Tell it aloud!
He's added 730 clocks.

Flowers dress your best!
Birds spread the song!
This pen is from my chest
and I don't mind if that is wrong.
He's added 730 clocks.

My wishlist for you is endless
but this is on top:
As you climb higher in life,
you continue to affect positively, all that come to pass you.

Happy birthday mentor!
Happy birthday Sir Clifford

By:  Justice Gift Jite-Eda

8. My friend this is the blessed day
  that brought the precious gift you are into this world
  This is the day angels shed tears of joy
  for the arch angels had defeated the enemy
  A blessing Oppong is born!
  This is the same day
  Heaven rejoiced and God declared it is well
  the day the world was blessed with ur presence.
Happy Birthday, be blessed and always remember God loves you!  

By:  Zanele Tyutula

9. Happy birthday, sir!
  Wishing all the best life has to offer.
  Don't fail to win your spurs. All the best!
  October will go down in history
  as a legendary month which has birthed men of great erudition.
By: Linus Okechukwu

10. HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO OPPONG CLIFFORD BENJAMIN

A brand new day is dawing
And as it get its start,
I want you to know
I am thinking of you
With warmth in my heart.

I hope your birthday is special
No one deserve it more than you!
You are such a kind hearted person,
It shows in everything that you do

So, have a perfect day
And an even lovelier day
May happiness surround you
Always, not just for today
May you live long

By: Adaku Agbarakwe

 

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HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME

Happy Birth Day to Me

Today is my 24 hours year
Many like this come but 2013's is dear
In this year, my destiny comes near
All that remained from 199? to 2012 a dream
Came alive, shinning in 2013 like a gleam
My joy scribbled in volumes of ream

2013
God returned to me, my lost rib
At the edge of my shame, sharpened my nib
Oiled my pen with eternal ink
to write words and think
Poetry grew older in me
I went down on my knee
to be blessed and ordained
a poet and my dead dignity regained

Today
I wish you Life
Rise and always rise
You died and resurrected
It doesn't make you Jesus,don't be misdirected
I wish you safe journey to future
And release all fortunes tied with suture
I wish you a day when;
Schools will learn your history
Your words become mystery
Thoughts and dreams become things.
I wish you the Clifford in your GOALS BOOK.

Written By: Opoong Clifford Benjamin for Oppong Clifford Benjamin

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MY PART OF THE DREAM

MY PART OF THE AFRICAN DREAM

Yes, a dream, because it still remains in my memory whenever I pray for our dear mother Africa and my other siblings who are also victims of the mentality created by white-coloured looters clothed in black suits. Freedom from governance, our Ancestors fought for; but freedom from the mentality they never achieved. Freedom to invent and implement, they left unapproachable because they saw their black colour as dull; Blacks aren’t dull by my mentality. 

Republic of Ghana's Independence Day- 6th March 1957-

 Republic of Liberia’s is 26 July 1847,

South Africa, Republic of	31 May 1910
Egypt, Arab Republic of	28 February 1922
Ethiopia 1, People's Democratic Republic of	5 May 1941
Libya (Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya)	24 December 1951
Sudan, Democratic Republic of	1 January 1956
Morocco 2, Kingdom of	2 March 1956
Tunisia, Republic of	20 March 1956

And so many of them but there has never been a date as Independence of Africa.

Yes because these so-called FREEDOM nick named “INDEPENDENCE” were granted by these same people who stole, rebuked and condemned mother Africa; they adroitly schooled some black men and made their mentality white and instructed them to fight for independence from them without the PEOPLE (ignorant Africans) noticing the secrecy of their drama.

Out of their impudence they mocked Mother Africa for her patience and quietude. But our mother knew that a time like this will come where her fruits will learn from these looters and change the mentality they planted in Africa. The mentality that black is dull and black is evil and black will never prosper.

Africa knew that a time will come where we will celebrate Africa’s Independence Day; a time will come where her proud children will hold her nicest picture in mind and build it in hand; a time where her proud sons and daughters will go through thick and thin to make her the most beautiful and richest woman; the time where her other female friends (Europe, Asia, America) will fight for visa to see her. The peace, wealth, wisdom and resources they took from the people will return to the people. The time is my part of THE AFRICAN DREAM. 

No, no, not again! We refuse to take permission from them; we act NOW because we are Africans, because we are few who have achieved our mental independence and instead of celebrating their skillful independence ploy, we celebrate our mental independence and the forthcoming Independence of Africa.  

The African Dream, I am proud to be part of its build-up - the dream that comes with a package full of candies that will sweeten the lives of the African; the dream that will make the privileged West pay huge sums of money  just to migrate to experience. 

Unreasonable it sometimes sounds but the sense that calls for is patience. The builders are at work, they commenced today and will never end until the nicest picture of Mother Africa is in the hands of all Africans.

I salute “BUILDERS OF THE AFRICAN DREAM ARISEEEEEEEEE, PICK UP YOUR TOOLS AND WORK!!!!!

By: BUILDER OPPONG CLIFFORD BENJAMIN

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The Fruit of My Poetic Sword

For the past few weeks I have been coaching some friends who had the passion in poetry to pen their first lines and Eric Adotey Babington is one of them. Read his first poem below.

A PIECE OF LIFE

Born and named a Victor

The baby me, knows no victory

Society bathes me with guilt

innocence took of me a vacation

Am now one of them, hungry for a vocation

Sits my mind on a hill

imagining to be me, a Victor

Stealing away my shame, in search of a mentor

Come me a hindrance

making blur the entrance

to my cave of success

                                        Then, remembers objects of worship

                                    Onyankopon,Allah,Okomfo Subri

                          To whom do I turn to?

                                           Again Society decides, be a Christian

             In church or shrine

                                     All I come buying is me, a Victor

                             To be an advocate of success

                                 So I can to my dream job profess

                                   and shrink my worries and all my stress

                                   So In my tomorrow,I cld sit with a heart relaxed

                                   Then I can make a story out of time elapsed

                     This is a success in me.

                     Written By: Adottey Babington Eric

 (Am proud of you, you hv grabbed the poetic sword quick and now you fighting, keep penning son)

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A REVIEW ON THE BOOK 'WHAT CAN WORDS DO?'

TITLE: What Can Words Do?
AUTHOR: Kukogho Iruesiri Samson
PUBLISHER: Origami Books, Lagos 
PAGES: 84 
REVIEWER: Prof. Gbenga Ibileye, Federal University Lokoja (ibigbs@yahoo.com)

Long before the descent to anarchy which the war of the West against terrorism in the Middle East, and especially the Iraqi War of the 1990s signalled, poetry and poets had always been actively engaged in the war of conscience which talked courageously to power where even mighty men feared to raise their sword.

In this tradition of poetic and literary activism was Yeast who had as a Senator in the legislature of the Republic of Ireland rejected the aestheticism of "art for art’s sake," declaring, "Literature must be the expression of conviction, and be the garment of noble emotion, and not an end in itself.

"Similarly, Auden’s poem—an elegy for Yeats—concludes by exhorting the poet to "follow right":

With the farming of a verse
Make a vineyard of the curse,
Sing of human unsuccess
In a rapture of distress; 

-----Read More---

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OUR FATHER IS GONE

   OUR FATHER IS GONE

The Wawa tree has been cut down, the forest is empty. The winds that went to the east comes back with news worst to the west. We at the west have known not guns, even if we did, we never used them, and even if we used, it was not against brethren, perhaps animals.
Our [Poets] Father is dead, he is gone to the village never to see us and the villagers again. He has gone to be planted like a seed. Hoping to germinate and bear no fruits.
The owl stood alone on the tallest tree at the mountain peak, hooting a message only heard with the heart. Baba Fakunle saw a dark wind running across a land, yet his lips were too light to convey this a heavy news. That fire in the woods that provided light for the night plays, went off abruptly, throwing this village into instant darkness, the oracles in the Sapele woods ululated a cry when it was seen that the tortoises were racing the horses, and the cat body guarding the sleeping mouse, strange everything seemed, signs heralded this fall, a man has fallen and never to walk earth again.

He had travelled, his family hoped to welcome a Dad, Grand Dad, a Man, a Brother, a Citizen, now in their hands, they hold a body, that of he, whom they were waiting to listen to stories from Kenya. He came back sleeping, never to wake up and left them to weep as long as he slumbers. If he had died, that would have been cool, after-all death to us all will come but not like how he met his. He didn't die, they die him, he was killed.

 A pillar in the King Solomon's Temple has fallen, all craft men walk in squares with tools in hand, working but never able to negotiate with death. So we working on this our hearts to house the grief this fall has brought. Sincere prayer is that the Temple shall never fall. His degrees in the noble craft will flow to all corners of their 'square globe'. Death to his Life take but his inks freshly continues to pen in our hearts. Fraternally we salute A Brother.
We, the ones that walk in his shoes, now stumble in fear because we are shaken in the mind that there will no longer be maps and a guider in this journey he alone completed.

We toured in darkness blindfolded, he unveiled us to full glare of the Light we sought from the East. Now that he was to take us through the other two journeys to the Greater Light, he has gone with the torch. Should we quit this journey or take another route or walk ahead in careful steps? #KofiAwoonor is dead gone passed and has slipped into a world of silence.

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An Ode From Ola Writes (A Nigerian Friend).

[I Know A Man]
"It is cruel, That we are granted
the desire to know But denied how
to do so properly."
 ~Anonymous.

 I know a man Who got adrift in the ocean
Almost Died of thirst though with water all around
He was unable to drink
I know a man
Who got rejected by the community
Almost Died of loneliness
Though with familiar faces all around
He was unable to be anyone's friend

I know a man
Who got accused in his quest for knowledge
Almost Died of Shame
Though with wisdom all around
He was unable to learn
I know a man
Who fought against all odd
Almost lost his dignity
Though with little or no support
He was able to restore his liberty

I know a man
Who often enough
Extract from me Few word
More Sigh, and Constant
Strange, deep, productive, creative and Very good thoughts.

I see from afar' in this man
A personality ready for fulfillment.
A personality rich in outgoing
Emotion Keenly sensitive-
and attuned to aesthetic
rather than moral imperative-

A striking form in Life
at the Point of Ebullient
 Always balancing Passion against Restraint
Apparent Simplicity against Suggested Complexity
Desire against Despair...

 ~ We all almost die Frustrated; Of course
 It is the greatest lesson We have to learn..
When it comes to desire I know a man
That have walked through fire Just because of the "Desire to know"
I know a man Who thought me How true this proverb is,
That "One's Honesty, is One's Vindication"
"I know a man who falls, and then rise
In a bid to step over the brick-wall
He is such a man, of strong will and he's wise" ~

Ola Writes. I know a man
 I know Sir Oppong Clifford Benjamin.
 ~ Sir Cliff...
I found you Only in that dream-state(facebook)
In which you believe.
I know you Only in that gold-coast state (Ghana)
In which you lived In Reality
I do not know you;
But I hope one day
 I'm able to find you
And then, I'll happily meet you.
 Dreams(facebook) for now is where I'll always find you.
 As long as, Dreams(facebook) don't come in Pairs.

 ~ Of things... I've come to see, know and recognize in people
 are few distinct but sacred values...
"Courage and Strong will"
You are a special friend, with such distinct values...

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