MIRACLE MOUNTAIN by Timi Sanni

by KREATIVE DIADEM | Dec 21, 2022 | POEMS

MIRACLE MOUNTAIN

by Timi Sanni

Winner of the 2022 Kreative Diadem Annual Creative Writing Contest (Poetry Category)

with a line adapted from Samuel A. Adeyemi’s ‘Flight’

In the same heat with which I’ve forged my convictions,
they bend now. This is one poem for pain. The fire roars,
the jungle suddenly comes of age, the unalloyed
metal of faith, proud, resists the silver hands of change.
But here are the grey hands of heaven’s blacksmith.
And here is the sweet silence of God. Over the mountains,
already, I can hear the loud hammering of hunger
on the belly of the knife. The question is: how
do I salvage the wrecked steel of my heart from the red
of an unholy war? How do I redeem the godly fang
of a blade that would rather break than bend
back to sickle? The consensus here, among the stony gods,
is that there is no ballad for the castaway; no song,
no dagger curving crooked, short of grace. And if the Fates
have spoken. If the loom keeps on telling its stories
of strength, who am I to ring the final bells of chance?
Here, once again, I am singing to the rocks that made me;
to the fire that burns still in the heart of stars.
The small tool of my heart, rusted as it is, remembers
that old song of grace. Tonight, we sing ourselves anew.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Timi Sanni writes from Lagos, Nigeria. He is the winner of the 2021 Anita McAndrews Award Poetry Contest. His works appears or is forthcoming in Black Warrior Review, New Delta Review, Lolwe, Fantasy Magazine, Lucent Dreaming and elsewhere. Find him on twitter @timisanni

Winner of the 2022 Kreative Diadem Creative Writing Contest

by KREATIVE DIADEM | Dec 21, 2022 | POEMS

Winner of the 2022 Kreative Diadem Creative Writing Contest

Here is the highly anticipated list of the winners of the 2022 Kreative Diadem Creative Writing Contest. Now in its sixth year, the prize seeks to recognize the best literary works by Nigerian writers aged 21 years and below.

Our guest judge, Praise Osawaru, selected the winner for the poetry category while the flash fiction category will be without a winning entry for this year’s edition.

Here is the winner with comments from the judge:

Poetry Category

Winner: “Miracle Mountain” by Timi Sanni

Miracle Mountain is a prayer made directly by the heart to the universe. The poem describes how the pain of reality changes the beliefs of the writer, educating it at the same time, without being changed. It pushes the theory of the constance of sorrow—that life is heavy and despite faith or happiness, there will always be the “loud hammering of hunger on the belly.” The poem asks for answers to questions of self-help and significance in the concept of things—at this point, the writer questions the importance of the actions of people toward breaking apart their sorrow. Using a tender approach to language and structure, the poem explains continuous belief in a betterment, even in awareness of the desponding present. With this, the writer describes hope as a prayer and as a reference altar for positive change. It is absolutely phenomenal.

Honourable mentions:

“Visiting Hours” by Muiz Ajayi

“Wanderlust: Boy” by Muhammed Olowonjoyin

Flash Fiction Category

A Note on This Year’s Flash Fiction Prize by Kunle Ologunro (Fiction Editor)

Since we started the annual flash fiction prize at Kreative Diadem, we have been committed to seeking out what we consider the best flash fiction pieces and rewarding the writers of each story for the hard work they put into their craft. We understand that “best” is subjective. And so when we read the contest entries each year, we look for creativity and quality. This can be conveyed in different ways: through the story being told and the POV used by the writer, the characters, the choice of details, the beauty of the language, and the emotional resonance of the story. We want stories that relate unfamiliar experiences to us in familiar ways as well as stories that tell us familiar experiences in unfamiliar ways. Simply put: give us what you consider your best.

Sadly, the pieces we received this year fell short of that metric. A good number of writers paid no attention to the guidelines; we received stories past the word count and in fonts different from the one we specified. This year, there were a lot of stories featuring blood and gore, gratuitous spousal murder and cheating partners. We are not opposed to this, we only ask that they be done right. But a lot of these stories were sensational, featuring one-dimensional characters that did not feel true to life. Some stories had titles that we considered to be dead giveaways of the story’s entire plot — and not in a good way. Many of these stories would have benefited with more editing or even an extra pair of eyes.

For these reasons, we have decided not to have any prizes for the flash fiction category this year. Thank you to everyone who submitted, we hope to receive stronger entries from you next year.

To give you a sense of what we are looking for, you can read some of our past winners here: PAST WINNERS

You can also read some of our craft notes here: NOTES ON CRAFT.

*****

Congratulations to the winner and all those whose works made the shortlist!

We are grateful to our guest judges — Praise Osawaru and Joshua Chizoma — and everyone who sent in their work. Thanks to all our sponsors for their generous donations.

Interviews with the contest winners will be published at a later date.

The maiden edition which held in 2017 was judged by Su‘eddie Vershima Agema (Flash Fiction) and Okwudili Nebeolisa (Poetry).

PORTRAIT OF FADING, INTO A SONG by Olowonjoyin Mohammed Sanni

by KREATIVE DIADEM | Oct 7, 2022 | POEMS

low angle view of pink flowers against blue sky

PORTRAIT OF FADING, INTO A SONG

by Olowonjoyin Muhammed Sanni

a chord strums in my earpieces &

that’s how I know how to unwear

some memories that cliché tears

in them like tornadoes cliché havoc.

my skin, a burnable piece of grief, &

songs, fires soothing the sprouting

seeds of heaviness in the loams of

my bones. I, fettered by loneliness.

I, fettered by everything leaping for

oxygen in this poem like my mother

leapt into the hands of divorce papers

and floated away. a memory is haunted

before hibiscuses of rhythms tangle

themselves in my fading, head tilted

in disillusionment to the walls of a room

that’s familiar with the taste of ennui.

and a memory asks, are you happy now?

and I say, another

memory will fade into a song

before escaping through my mouth.

a symphony crossfades into Alan

Walker’s Faded & I become a slave to

every memory that soon fades from my

claustrophobia. oh utopia, I’m here,

where are you now?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Olowonjoyin Muhammed Sanni (he/him) studies Biochemistry at the University of Ilorin. His works have been published or forthcoming in My Woven Words anthologies, Poemify, Livina Press, Arts Lounge, Nanty Greens, in his head and elsewhere. When he’s not tracing biochemical pathways, he’s either writing, playing games, reading tweets, or thinking about making his life better. He tweets @aperse_ and on Facebook as Olówónjoyin Muhammed Sanni.

“I’m Usually Inspired by Everything” – Interview with Agbai Ematerry Chinonso

by KREATIVE DIADEM | Aug 29, 2022 | CONTESTS, THE TABLE TALK

TABLE TALK

“I’m Usually Inspired by Everything”— Interview with Agbai Ematerry Chinonso

Kreative Diadem is known for its Annual Creative Writing Contest, demonstrating our commitment to young writers’ literary growth across Africa and beyond. We recently chatted with last year’s flash fiction winner—Agbai Emmaterry. Enjoy!

Agbai writes for fun. That’s the core of her writing. She loves writing without the pressure of commercializing it because she begins to worry and already worries enough about people taking a positive interest in what she writes. She finds herself comfortable writing stories that show the dramatic facets of life. Stories that point out both the good and bad parts of humanity, but in reading – she is a sucker for romance.

Kreative Diadem: Who is Agbai? Tell us briefly about yourself.

Agbai: I am a final year student of law at the University of Ilorin. My only talent has to be writing, so it has all the passion I have to offer. But it’s something I genuinely enjoy, right next to sleeping.

Agbai Ematerry Chinonso

Winner of the 2021 Kreative Diadem Annual Creative Writing Contest (Flash Fiction Category)

KD: When did you first discover your passion for writing, what inspired you?

Agbai: I have no idea what inspired me or when I discovered it. It’s something I’ve always done as far back as I can remember. I have so many uncompleted “books” from my childhood that I decided to write only short stories. I’m usually inspired by everything, from what I eat to things I watch, hear or see.

KD: What challenges do you face as a writer in a developing country like Nigeria? What steps do you take to overcome them?

Agbai: Well, most importantly, it is money. It takes a certain skill and level of writing for a person to make writing their full-time job with a consistent inflow of substantial cash. While this is a similar occurrence worldwide, it is often heightened by the nature of our country. So, the only way to combat it is to work at multiple income streams while developing your craft to be worth more.

KD: Who are some of the literary figures that inspire you/you look up to?

Agbai: I admire multiple writers, but two that come to mind right now (internationally) are Sidney Sheldon and Amy Harmon. Sidney Sheldon is a popular author with various thrillers to his name. While Amy Harmon is also a notable writer in the genre of romance. Their use of words and storylines always has me hooked and envious, making me want to be better.

Tons of African writers are amazing, Chimamanda, Bolu Babalola, Chiemeka Garricks, and more are always able to strike a chord with relatable stories that leave you wanting more.

“I always say I want to write something that provokes emotion, something that could be a topic of conversation amongst people that others recommend. An anthology of such short stories is one goal I would like to achieve.”

KD: In 2021, you won first prize in the flash fiction category of Kreative Diadem’s annual writing contest. How did you feel about winning?

Agbai: Oh, I was quiet for a while. I didn’t even tell anyone. But I was excited and happy and grateful. So, I quietly soaked in the knowledge that I had won, grinning internally. Then when I was satisfied with my private celebration, I eagerly shared it with my loved ones.

KD: Let’s get down to your flash fiction. What was the inspiration behind A MATCHING PAIR? Was there a specific message you intended to pass along to your readers?

Agbai: My inspiration was Twitter. There was a point when paternity tests were trending. With the competition in mind and me looking for a story idea, it just stuck and wouldn’t go away, so I just developed on it. There was no specific message. I just wanted to tell a story of how two bad people deserve each other.

KD: Apart from winning first prize in the flash fiction contest in 2021, what are some of your other achievements? (Awards, nominations, published works, etc.?)

Agbai: There are no published works, works, or any of that. I tend to be shy with my work, so entering the Kreative Diadem competition was quite the step.

KD: What are some of your long-term goals as a writer?

Agbai: I always say I want to write something that provokes emotion and could be a topic of conversation amongst people that others recommend. An anthology of such short stories is one goal I would like to achieve.

KD: Are you currently working on any books now?

Agbai: Not yet.

KD: What advice would you give young writers like yourself, especially in Nigeria?

Agbai: Just keep writing, the financial aspect might not always be encouraging, but once you love writing, it wouldn’t matter. Also, shoot beyond Nigeria as well. The world is your playground.

KD: What do you think about Kreative Diadem?

Agbai: Kreative Diadem is a very helpful and healthy community with contests I look forward to every year. I love how they give all sorts of writers a voice to share their craft on the website.

KD: What’s your writing process like?

Agbai: My writing process is sometimes chaotic, I get an idea from something I hear, read, or even say myself, and it keeps nudging me to write it down. I could ignore it for months because I have no time, but it stays with me, silently judging me until I give in, and the actual writing process is so much fun. The hardest part is building the storyline in my head and also naming the story. I’m terrible with titles.

KD: Any final words?

Agbai: This was an honour that I appreciate. I hope to have more people love the little tales I weave.

“Poetry Has Been a Balm and a Companion” – Interview with Abdulmueed Balogun

by KREATIVE DIADEM | Aug 29, 2022 | THE TABLE TALK

TABLE TALK

“Poetry Has Been a Balm and a Companion” – Interview with Abdulmueed Balogun

Kreative Diadem is known for its Annual Creative Writing Contest, demonstrating our commitment to young writers’ literary growth across Africa and beyond. We recently chatted with last year’s poetry winner—Abdulmueed Balogun.

Abdulmueed Balogun is a Nigerian poet & a second-year student at the University of Ibadan, studying Biomedical Laboratory Science. He is a 2021 HUES Foundation Scholar & edits poetry for The Global Youth Review. He was longlisted for the 2021 Erbacce Prize, finished as a Finalist in the 2021 Wingless Dreamer Book of Black Poetry Contest, and won the 2021 Annual Kreative Diadem Poetry Contest. Find his work in Journal of Expressive Writing, Decolonial Passage, Watershed Review, The Westchester Review, Short Vine, Subnivean Magazine, Alchemy Literary Magazine, Soundings East Magazine, ROOM, Jmww Journal, Night Heron Barks Review, Bowery Gothic, Avalon Literary Review and elsewhere. He loves you deeply, and you know it. He tweets from AbdmueedA.

Kreative Diadem: Who is Abdulmueed Balogun? Tell us briefly about yourself.

Abdulmueed: I am a Muslim, a poet, a poetry editor at The Global Youth Review, and an undergrad at the University of Ibadan studying Biomedical Laboratory Science.

Abdulmueed Balogun

Winner of the 2021 Kreative Diadem Annual Creative Writing Content (Poetry Category)

KD: When did you first discover your passion for writing, and what inspired you?

Abdulmueed: My journey as a poet started in, I think, 2018. I can’t nail my source of inspiration to a definite outlet. I was passing through a lot of things then and urgently needed a way out of the looming wilderness. The numerous unappealing events that clouded the sky of my fledgling life then endeared me to poetry. Since then, Poetry has been a balm and a companion.

KD: What are some of the challenges you face as a writer, and what steps do you take to overcome them?

Abdulmueed: There’s nothing worthy bereft of challenges. Poetry too isn’t an exception. Of the challenges, I face the most prominent– inaccessibility to the desired books necessary for growth. I overcome them by visiting my Uncle– Fasasi Abdulrosheed– to cart away some books, or download softcopies and occasionally I visit bookshops.

KD: What are some literary figures that inspire you and your work?

Abdulmueed: Literary figures I look up to are Khalil Gibran, David Diop, Oswald Mtshali, Lucille Clifton, Faiz Ahmad Faiz, Mary Oliver, Mahmoud Darwish, Leopold Sedar Senghor, Rasaq Malik, Sonia Sanchez, Akeem Lasisi, Kofi Awoonor…

“To young writers like myself, I say– keep writing those poems, your voice is unique. Don’t compromise the essence of your craft, and dread not reaching beyond the sky.”

KD: In 2021, you won first prize in the poetry category of Kreative Diadem’s annual writing contest. How did you feel about winning?

Abdulmueed: Honestly, I was very happy. When I saw the email, I had to re-read it to truly affirm its veracity.

KD: Let’s get down to your poem. What was the inspiration behind IT’S HOPE THAT KEEPS THE FLAME OF DREAMS DANCING? Was there a specific message you intended to pass along to your readers?

Abdulmueed: Primarily, the inspirations behind the poem are my parents. My dad, like my momma, occasionally sits me down and hammers some admonition words into my youthful ears, urging me to never trivialize the dictates of my creator.

Yes. There’s a specific message in the poem. Our society today has become an eyesore. It takes a resolute mind not to succumb to the pressure weighing in from peers who have, in their minds, arsoned morals. The poem is a chant of hope written when I found myself drowning.

KD: Apart from winning first prize in the poetry contest in 2021, what are some of your other achievements? (Awards, nominations, published works, etc.?)

Abdulmueed:

Runner up: November 2020 Reform Naija Writing Contest– Freewill.

Honourable Mention: 2021 Whispering Crescent Poetry Prize.

Longlisted: 2021 Erbarcce-Prize

Finalist: 2021 Wingless Dreamer Book of Black Poetry Contest.

KD: What are some of your long-term goals as a writer?

Abdulmueed: Fellowships, Residency, and lots more.

KD: Any forthcoming works or publications?

Abdulmueed: Yes. I am always working on poems. Right now, I am trying to compile my debut chapbook.

KD: What advice would you give young writers like yourself, especially in Nigeria?

Abdulmueed: To young writers like myself, I say– keep writing those poems your voice is unique, don’t compromise the essence of your craft, and dread not reaching beyond the sky.

KD: What do you think about Kreative Diadem?

Abdulmueed: Nothing below wonderful.

KD: Any final words?

Abdulmueed: Thank you for making this possible.