The Palm of Time

by Abubakar Othman

Many of these sixty-seven poems deal with coming to terms with the long period of military rule and kleptocracy in Nigeria, and the effects on its citizens' pysches. A kind of absurd theatre is the poet's metaphor for these memories, and forms the structure of his work. The poems are grouped into acts and scenes, and the final 'chorus' act includes poems from other poets who have inspired this poet's work, notably Tanure Ojaide. True to the idea that the audience plays a part in the dramatic experience, Othman also includes poems/responses to his work. In the 'Production note', he discusses his indebtedness to the dramatic form, explaining that some of the poems are written to be acted, and how his poems represent the classical unity of time, place and action. The poet is a senior lecturer in English at the University of Maiduguri, Nigeria.

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