A portrait in our living room carries my father’s smile
Like it’s the only thing his teeth were meant for
He was standing next to mother
Smile gently creamed on her lips
Like a snowflake
Something that has ended
Even before it begun.
There are times I spent the night
Looking at this picture
Like it’s the only surviving leaf
Upon the face of hostile water
Creating mental pictures of father
Plucking roses on the lawn
And mother smelling them,
Giggling and throwing them up in the air
Imageries of mother standing before father, naked
Watching her own body through his eyes
More than she’d ever done with the mirror
And once, she’d held my hand and told me
Someday I’ll understand why God gave me
Hands to fight and legs to run
That was before she became the reflection
Of a yellow sun on the body of a snowy rock
But then I have always known photographs are stories
Only told by strangers.

Profile:
Name: Micheal Ace
Nationality: Nigeria
Religion: Christianity
Place of birth: Osun state, Nigeria
Occupation: Poet, publisher and computer scientist

Social Media Info
Blog/Website: www.myaceworld.net
Email: poetmichealace@gmail.com
Facebook: Micheal Ace
Twitter: @lordace32
Instagram: poetmichealace
Mobile/Whatsapp: 08166110313

Biography
Micheal Ace is a poet and writer currently living in Ibadan, Nigeria.
A computer scientist with a strong passion for poetry. His works have
appeared on African writer, Praxis magazine, Kalahari review, Lunaris
review, Tuck magazine and elsewhere. He has authored two poetry
chapbooks titled ‘Sermon from a stammerer’ and ‘Scarlet silk’.

Attachments area

ODE TO MAMMARY GLANDS

My breasts are tender

Yet they tender

From cradle to king sized

Of call to babies

Mildly they suckle

Possessively they kindle

And all I do is bear tenderly

Caressing your cheeks

As I surrender my bosom

Tendering all my life

On plains where blooms flourishes

Rendering tenderly they flapped with pride

I wear my nudity with decency

My busts no longer hold this world in firm delight

My nectar shrivel to earth with fulfilment

And nature flagged it down with grace

For I bloomed for its savour

I wane from its pleasure

Gift Amukoyo Foraine. Born on 23 April hails from Delta, Sapele, Nigeria. Attended Delta State University where she studied English and Literary Studies and currently on her PGD in Mass Communication at the Nigerian Institute of Journalism.

She is a studios literatus who peruse with great delight, any good story she lays her hands on. Sheis a budding poetess; 1st Asa Poetry Prize Winner, 2014-2nd Edition, writer in other literary genres,as well as a book reviewer and an editor.

A spirited young lady encompassed with zeal to brainstorm innovative ideas and work on existing phenomenon and ideologies. She is jovial and on the sunny side of life with passion for research and result.

We are privileged to have Dr. SKC Ogbonnia, Presidential Aspirant 2019 Federal Republic of Nigeria. He is also the Executive Chairman of First Texas Energy Corporation, Houston Texas, USA

INSPIRE WOMEN, MAN & CHILDREN PRESENTS “MULTI-STOP WORKSHOP & NETWORKING” FREE WORKSHOP & BUSINESS ADVICE

Taking place at the 1st of May, 2018 from 9.30am to 12 Noon at The Ripple Centre, 121 -125 Ripple Road, Barking

For more info email info@inspirewomenandchildren.org

Nominations are now open for #CAAwards 2018.
Creatives, entrepreneurs and leaders are invited to nominate and be nominated.

We are privileged to have Amb. Dr. Babatunde B. Lee (Lagos State Gubernatorial Aspirant 2019 and Former Chairman NIDO Africa. He is also the Director of International Peace Commission-IPC Africa. DD2018 conference will amongst other things cover areas of national integration, communal livelihood and protection, public spirit, nationality, the right to vote and be voted for. The Nigerians in Diaspora Organizations (NIDO) while an apolitical organization, will set the tone for manifesto pitching during one of the sessions. A roundtable discourse will feature different political parties with the Diaspora audience on their goals and manifestoes and what the different political parties are offering and their intended collaboration with the Diaspora community and most importantly, how the parties design their operations to attract Diaspora expertise, knowledge and financial investment in Nigeria post 2019 elections

ULTRA EDUCATION PRESENTS “A FREE YOUNG ENTREPRENEUR WORKSHOP FOR 7 -18 YEARS OLD” ON THE 26TH OF MAY

BOOK YOUR PLACE TODAY, SEARCH FOR  YOUNG ENTREPRENEUR WORKSHOP ON EVENTRBRITE OR DROP AN EMAIL TO INFO@ULTRA.EDUCATION

Meet our proud Sponsor: Nikky Emelike, a young dynamic Nigerian-British Managing Director of Neasden College, one of such in the entire UK, located at Croydon, Surrey.

Neasden College is an independent apprenticeship provider with dedicated and innovative staff and management that understands the needs of their individual candidates.

Their widely acknowledged teaching style gives them the obvious edge. “We listen to you and help you achieve your goals”. The unique advantage of Neasden College is anchored on their ability to provide Funded Apprenticeships; Flexible learning; Qualified teachers; Classrooms fit for purpose and Qualified Assessors. Nigerians in Diaspora Organization and indeed the Global Nigerian Diaspora Network are proud of her excellent achievement and her contribution to Nigerian and Global Human capacity development for national development. Meet her at Diaspora Hall of Fame celebration -NIDO Global Diaspora Conference 2018 Team

Finally, the $20 Million Diaspora Housing Investment Fund – Series 1 to be launched @ Diaspora Day 2018 Global Development Conference London, UK. We are privileged that Roland Igbinoba (Founder Roland Igbinoba Real Foundation for Housing & Urban Development) will guide us to this historic journey. Be part of it

BIO:

RIDWAN ADELAJA, Winner, 2017 Ken Egbas Prize for Festival Poetry, Calabar, is a freelance Journalist who is currently on Graduate Internship with Ventures Africa –the most influential and authoritative business news organisation in the Sub-Saharan Africa. Ridwan is a philosophical poet and his writings centre around socio-political commentary, nature and African tradition. Ridwan looks on to a career in journalism with special interest in Broadcast as a TV/Radio presenter and event compere/Moderator.

As a content developer and idea enthusiast, Ridwan is the Event Manager for TEDxIsaleGeneral, in Ogbomoso, Oyo state. He maintains a literary website (www.quillkastle.com) where writers can get their works published and readers can feast on exquisite literal efforts.

PROFILE:

*Graduate Internship: Ventures Africa

*Winner: 2017 KEN EGBAS PRIZE FOR POETRY

*Online News Reporter: MC REPORT (2017)

*News Reporter: NTA ILORIN (2017)

*Chief Marketing Officer: HOSTTAILOR TECH. (2017)

*Campus Correspondent: RAVE TV (2017)

*Founder/Content Curator: QUILL KASTLE (2017)

*Co-editor: MUSE FOR PEACE ANTHOLOGY (2017)

*Event Manager: TEDX_ISALE_GENERAL (2016-17)

*Intern: NTA ILORIN (2016)

*President: The Campus Ambassadors (TCA) (2016)

*Associate Editor: AlFahm Magazine, (2016)

*Intern: FAAN (2015)

*Intern: DIGITAL VILLAGE (2015)

*Founder, SPEAK QUILL INITIATIVE (SQI) (2015)

*Co-Editor of ECHOES OF DAURA (JUNE, 2015).

*Curator: IROKO FUN AWARDS (2014)

*Utility Assistant: JURIST KASTLE (2014)

*Campus Correspondent: THE NATION (2014-2015)

*Editor-in-chief of T.C.A. LAUTECH (2014-2015).

*Editor-in-chief of LAUTECH TORCH (2013-2014).

*Content Curator: JOZI ART WORLD (2013)

*College Literary Analyst: WRR (2012-2013)

URL(s)

Website: https://quillkastle.com/

Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/adelaja.ridwan

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ridwan-adelaja-29a621a8/

Instagram: @eridwana

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Justolaola

Ventures Africa: http://venturesafrica.com/author/ridwan-adelaja/