Floruit, An Anthology of Poems by Obiamaka Angela Udevi-Onwuka

The Nigerian poet and storyteller, Obiamaka Angela Udevi-Onwuka recently published an anthology of poems titled, Floruit. This book is my first acquaintance with Obiamaka’s work and I must say that her passion for storytelling, social change and family values shines through her work.

I admire her articulate style of writing and the way that she brings to life the every day realities of the common man in a way that causes people to pause and ponder. So, if you haven’t read the beautiful anthology of poems titled Floruit yet, here are four reasons why you should consider going through this remarkable collection:

The Narrative Style of the Poems: If you’re a lover of good stories, then, you should definitely read this anthology. I enjoyed reading through “Glass House”, the first poem in the collection.

It captured my attention and I also got to appreciate the fact that poem after poem held my attention with their interesting storylines even more. They remind me of flash fictions. The words have been carefully chosen; and, in fact, they are filled with imagery and emotional resonance. You can clearly see the scenes painted in your mind’s eye and you can feel the emotions of the characters.

The Poems Capture a Wide Range of Life Experiences: One of best things about this collection is the way that the human experience has been brought to life. Personal and collective experiences of people have been expressed in a way that makes it relatable, both to those who have lived through them and those who have not.

You can feel the panic of the persona in “Pandemonium”, the longing of the persona in “One Wish”, the grief of the persona in “The Talisman”, the frustration of the persona in “New Money” and the determination of the persona in “A question for Sola”.

Related: Memories from the North, An Anthology of Stories: A Short Review

They display and inspire Creativity in their Presentation: The poems in this collection do not just inspire your imaginative faculties, they give you a fresh perspective of the world around you and they cause you to reflect over situations and experiences that you may have previously glossed over.

This helps you see the world differently. Readers would also appreciate the fact that sensitive topics like politics and violence have been touched upon subtly in a way that educates and enlightens.

They teach Important Life Lessons: Most of the poems in this anthology are didactic. So, getting this anthology is like getting a total package that offers entertainment, information and instruction. The poems inspire, teach and motivate readers.

They open one’s eyes to the fact that certain actions can birth reactions that may or may not be favourable. You just gotta love it!

In conclusion, Floruit is a page turner. If you’ve not gotten a copy yet, then, head over to the Amazon store and grab an ebook or paperback copy today.