ImageNations

Let me say that when the idea of providing a platform for those who want to pay tribute to the renowned  poet, Kofi Awoonor, was introduced to me I never thought it will go beyond the first day. Today's entry, the fourth in the series, is from Yaayi Aawa , a Senegalese poet. Yaayi's tribute to Kofi Awoonor is a poem by Birago Diop , a renowned Senegalese poet and part of the Negritude movement. The poem is in its original French; however, for the sake of other readers, I have searched for its English translation. The title Souffles is translated as 'Spirits' in English. According to Yaayi, I did not know about Kofi Awoonor before this tragedy, and this is truly sad, but I do feel it is a great loss not only for Ghanaians but for the whole continent. So, that piece ... is my tribute to him. -Souffles- Ecoute plus souvent Les choses que les êtres, La voix du feu s'entend, Entends la voix de l'eau. Ecoute dans le vent Le buisson en sanglot: ...

This is the third in a series of tributes dedicated to the memory of Kofi Awoonor, the poet, academic, novelist, and politician who died during the terrorist attack of the Westgate Mall in Kenya. Kwabena Agyare Yeboah , the author of this poem, is a young poet and a blogger. ImageNations is providing a platform for people who want to pay tribute to Kofi Awoonor in the form of poems or even essays. the night speaks of the cousins who mat at the shore in a howling silence rekindling the voice of the flute that adorns glorious dirges Awoonor, the day is sleeping your sail has seen darkness and Keta's wall is maimed kutsiami! ferry the eagle home as times merge as memories that fade journeys into a cast eternity on this path called home mortals will gather tears and trail your walk Awoonor, mention us to the forebearers and sleep not on our struggles adieu, son of the land

The series continue with the tribute to Kofi Awoonor with a series of poems from Celestine Nudanu of . I will create a space for anyone who wants a platform to share their tribute to Awoonor. Reading Pleasure When Meaning Eludes Us 1 winds of death sweep in a convulsing arc we strive for meaning 2 we strive for meaning in a world of blood and tears frozen in our hearts 3 frozen in our hearts grief blurs with unspoken words nation mourns her son 4 nations mourn her sons as Africa kills her sun we strive for meaning

The death of Ghanaian  novelist, poet, politician, and academic Kofi Awoonor in the Kenya Westgate terrorist attack by al-shabab is no longer news. Several news outlets have talked about this eminent Ghanaian poet. ImageNations is offering a platform for those who want one to share poems of tribute to Kofi Awoonor. Edzordzi Agbozo-Hero begins this series with  The Hippo Turned our Cannon .  This series will run as long as there are submissions. The Hippo Turned our Cannon Nyiᶑeʋu meᶑea keʋu o The hippo does not overturn The canoe with sandload Nyiᶑewu meᶑea keʋu o This hippo overturned it This hippo overturned it We are the snake Whose head Al-Shabab caught We only wag our tails defenceless The hippo overturned our canoe But never it’s content For the sand is too light to sink Your voice, too loud to sink In this corner of our common fate Fire in a neighbour’s farm Consumes all farm-huts A dirge from a distant drum ...