Treasuring Poetry – Meet poet and novelist, Jude Itakali, and a review
Posted: March 20, 2024 Filed under: Uncategorized 44 Comments
Welcome to fabulous poet and novelist, Jude Itakali. As a fellow African, Jude is from Uganda, I always feel we have a lot in common and that our love of this continent, its wildlife, and its people, shows through in our writing. Welcome Jude.
What is your favourite style of poetry to read?
It’s so difficult to choose. I love different forms for different reasons and employ them depending on the purpose.
However, if I had to choose one, I’d go with “haibun”. The transition from vivid verbiage and concise prose, to a juxtaposed haiku which most often provides the ‘wow’ moment, really hits the spot for me. So yeah, haibun it is.
What is your favourite poem in your favourite style to read?
It’s near impossible to pick a favourite as I read poetry in a cocktail of forms and never really remember which haibun or sonnet was my favourite. But I’ll include two haibuns that I read recently that really got me:
Susan B. Auld
Directed by reception I wait. But not in the same room where I once sat with other pregnant women, where we spoke soft conversations, smiled in recognition, crocheted pastel blankets, read parenting magazines, made lists of things to buy, to do. There is no baby now
winter rain
an empty nest
beneath the tree
Margaret Domaus
His fingers – are what I can’t stop conjuring. Long and slender nails trim and clean, a baker’s hands lightly dusted with flour.
snowbound
the underground pulse
of hot springs
What is your favourite style of poetry to write? Why?
Another tough choice. Ask me on a different day and I’ll likely have a different answer. But Afro now, I’ll go with ‘etheree’. I love its descending/ascending order of syllables depending on whether to write a reverse etheree or not. This is because writing in this form enables me to expand my musing upon a single word or simple thought, or else to comprehend complex musings and reduce them to a particular word or single thought.
What is your favourite of your own poems in your favourite style?
My favourite amongst the haibun I’ve written is the most difficult question I have to answer here. It’s impossible to choose amongst my babies. I write all of them with so much emotion. Because of this, I’ll simply pick the most recent haibun from my blog. It’s a little bit longer than a single paragraph and haiku, so I’ll include the link instead:
How do you promote your poetry and poetry books?
Not very well I’m afraid. Promotion is a work in progress. For now, I write for my blog, twitter, and do creative reels on my Instagram. I’m still trying to figure out the self-promotion thing, so any help is absolutely welcome.
Thank you so much for listening to me mumbling.
My review of Jude’s latest book, Dark Butterflies: Poetry and short stories of mental health
Dark Butterflies is a deep and compelling exploration of the darker side of life. Itakali uses poems and short stories to expose the mental health issues that lie hidden under the shiny surface of societies. Some of the poems and short prose pieces interspersed with syllabic poetry, are told from two or even multiple points of view and experiences, which I really liked. One of my favourite prose pieces is A Tale of Two Beauties which is truly heart warming.
A few of the themes explored in this book, with a relevant quote, are as follows:
Child abuse – ‘You carry the mark of a black kiss,
A bruise etched into your every wish’ from Child fleeing light
Loss of hope – ‘All wonder diminishes in their reflection
The light that once sparked is gone’ from Unseen
Split personalities – ‘By day she is Anne
By night she is Liz’ from Split
Drug abuse – ‘Syringe on the cracked floor
Pills to numb the stench of failure’ from Dark themes we do not see
Loneliness – ‘In the dark hour before dawn, I scale the precipice
Of loneliness. If only for a glimpse of a dream.’
Each of the harrowing mental illnesses or seemingly inescapable circumstances, is handled with compassion and understanding by the poet.
This is a beautiful collection that opens the reader’s eyes to the places in life where the shadows have ownership and trauma is the dwellers daily companion.
You can purchase Dark Butterflies from Amazon US here: https://www.amazon.com/Dark-Butterflies-Poetry-stories-mental-ebook/dp/B0CJ54YLST
Jude also has another poetry book and two novels in the Realms of the Mist series. You can find all of Jude’s books here: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Jude-Itakali/author/B093BJSYTB
About Jude Itakali
Jude Itakali is a poet, writer and fiction author from the suburbs of Kampala, Uganda.
Itakali never liked sharing his books as a child. That has changed, especially since he started writing his own.
A lifelong obsession with ‘the good story’ evoked his personal phrase, “Reality is all around us, but fantasy is a part of us.” Egged on by a conniving appetite to consume works across genres, Itakali crafts the compelling themes and rounded characters in his books.
When not ‘life-ing’ or pursuing infrequent exercise routines, you can find Itakali writing fiction in a small cubicle, or under a tree, furnishing his website, Tales told different, with life epiphanies, ponderous prose, and poetry.
About Robbie Cheadle
Award-winning, bestselling author, Robbie Cheadle, has published fourteen children’s books and three poetry books. Her work also features in several poetry and short story anthologies.
Robbie also has two novels published under the name of Roberta Eaton Cheadle and has horror, paranormal, and fantasy short stories featured in several anthologies under this name.
The eleven Sir Chocolate children’s picture books, co-authored by Robbie and Michael Cheadle, are written in sweet, short rhymes which are easy for young children to follow and are illustrated with pictures of delicious cakes and cake decorations. Each book also includes simple recipes or biscuit art directions which children can make under adult supervision.
Robbie and Michael Cheadle have recently launched a new series of children’s books called Southern African Safari Adventures. The first book, Neema the Misfit Giraffe is now available from Amazon.
Robbie’s blog includes recipes, fondant and cake artwork, poetry, and book reviews. https://robbiesinspiration.wordpress.com/
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Thank you so much for the interview, Robbie. You are absolutely amazing 😍✨
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It is my pleasure, Jude. Your poetry is wonderful.
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🙏🏾🙏🏾
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A great interview, Robbie and Jude! Interesting to read the thoughts on poetry, its different forms, etc. And “Dark Butterflies” sounds compelling and excellent — as was the review of it!
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Hi Dave, Jude explores a lot of compelling issues that are prevalent throughout Africa (and elsewhere but his focus is local). His work is beautiful and poignant.
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Interesting interview. I’ve never tried to write ‘haibun’ and have never heard of ‘etheree’, but appreciate others’ efforts to write in this style. All I can do is the usual 4-line stanza poetry.
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Hi Stevie, you could learn it if you wanted to. As a writer you have to decide where you want to spend your time. It’s a limited commodity
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This is a terrific interview! I think “Dark Butterflies” will be a great read.
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Hi Kymber, Jude’s style of poetry is unusual and he writes about societal issues that are prevalent throughout Africa.
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Hi, Robbie! 🧡🐈🌱🏵️
I can’t remember when I subscribed to his blog, but I think you hit the nail on the head regarding his poetry. I think what he writes about is important.
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Yes, it is. He is also a great romantic 💘
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lovely poetry, Jude and thank you for introducing us to him. I understand about promotion as being challenging for a writer. I used to promote films and plays for others, but find it very hard to promote myself.
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Hi Beth, thank you for adding your thoughts. Jude’s poetry is very compelling.
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What a fabulous interview, Robbie and Jude. It’s wonderful to see Jude’s favorite poetry forms. Self promotion is hard for all of us! 💜
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Hi Colleen, I enjoyed Hyde favourite poetry choices too. It just shows you that short poems can be incredibly powerful. That first poem was really sad.
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I agree. 🩵
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Shared both posts on Twitter, Robbie.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Thank you, Pete
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It does, it is very beautiful
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Hi Robbie , Top marks, as usual for the interesting Haibun poetry. I have heard of it, but never read it; impressive! I’m afraid my poems just seem to ‘arrive’ and are mainly unstructured about all manner of things which constitute ‘life’ – from nature, love, and ‘mini-tales’ to more humorous efforts. All the best to you and Michael. Cheers.
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Hi Joy, some of my poems are like that too. They just come and I only have to write them down. I’m glad you enjoyed Jude’s interview.
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Great interview and review. I am a huge fan of haibuns too. This was a powerful collection that I throughly enjoyed too!
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Hi Denise, thank you for adding your boost for this book. I saw your review on Amazon.
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Everything I have read, written by Jude has been thought-provoking and moving. How wonderful to get to know him a bit better here! Thank you, Robbie.
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My pleasure, Annette. I’m delighted you enjoyed this post 💓
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I’ve always admired Jude’s poetry, there is a special edge to it and he handles all the themes brilliantly. Thanks for this lovely post Robbie, it’s good to know more about Jude.
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Hi Balroop, I am so glad you enjoyed this interview 💞
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It was a very interesting interview. Thank you to you both for the interesting reading.
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My pleasure, Thomas. Jude has a most interesting poetry style.
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Great interview as always Robbie. Jude is multitalented. I like the way he weaves prose and poetry together, so I’m not surprised he chose the haibun as a favorite form. (K)
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Hi Kerfe, indeed, Jude’s style does incorporate both poetry and prose
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It was good to meet up with Jude once again! I enjoyed your interview. Congratulations to him on the excellent review.
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Thank for visiting, Liz 💗
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You’re welcome, Robbie. 🙂
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Congratulations on a beautiful book, cover, content, Jude. Lovely 5/5 rating over on Amazon!
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Thank you, Jacqui. Definitely a 5 star read.
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A most interesting interview AND lovely book review. As others have said, the book cover is amazing! Thank you for sharing, Robbie, and a huge congratulations to Jude!
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Hi Jan, I’m glad you enjoyed this interview. I enjoyed this poetry book a great deal.
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What a great interview, Jude and Robbie. And an excellent review! Jude’s book sounds compelling, the cover is exquisite, and I look forward to reading it.
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Hi Lauren, Jude’s poetry is excellent. You will appreciate this book.
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A beautiful interview with Jude. I smiled at his difficulty choosing poems to share, and can understand why, every one of them was beautiful. A lovely post, Robbie and Jude. Thanks for the poetic interlude and thanks to Kaye Lynne for hosting. 🙂
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☺️
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Hi Diana, thanks for visiting and for your lovely comment.
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[…] You can catch Jude’s interview with Robbie Cheadle on “Treasuring Poetry” here: https://writingtoberead.com/2024/03/20/treasuring-poetry-meet-poet-and-novelist-jude-itakali-and-a-r… […]
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