Review of books, play scripts, poems, and more by Oliver Mbamara

Poems of Life 2ND Edition, even more than the wonderful 1st Edition remains a rare compilation of insightful verses addressing the truth and realities of life compelling the reader to take some time to reflect on life.

In this 2ND EDITION of the book - POEMS OF LIFE, Oliver goes ahead to create a bridge between different cultures and societies by broadening the already extensive field dealt with in POEMS OF LIFE 1st Edition. More African topics include NEW MOON, MANY WIVES OF OUR FATHER, and ROUGH DARK NIGHT, all carrying an African historical introduction.

True to the title of the book Poems of Life, Parts six and seven delve further into issues of life, love and living. Part six directly provides the reader with additional food for thought in sonnet form. Part seven, while also making the use of sonnets, introduces a new style of poetry writing that Oliver calls - "Introduced (African Folklore)" Poetry.

In addition to other didactic poems, there are more comments in sonnet form taking on topics like RELATIONSHIPS, LOVE, DEATH, PROBLEMS, DESIRE, FREEDOM, and more, all filled with thoughtful messages compelling the reader to take a moment to reflect on the meaning of life.

"When Thy Youth Is Set To Leave" explodes with an exhortation not to waste our youth. "Precious Gem" is a romantic package for the appreciative lover. "Another New World" offers an amusing but revealing look at the world, from the eyes of a newborn baby. "Life: The Unfinished Business" is a philosophical reminder that we make our life what it is which is the volume's overriding theme.

CONTENTS/OUTLINE OF POEMS OF LIFE 2nd Ed
PART ONE (POEMS OF EXISTENCE AND INTERACTION) 1. Life: The Unfinished Business 2. Listen 3. Like Another Clothing 4. Pride Aside 5. Here Before Us (A positive dirge) 6. When Thy Youth Is Set To Leave 7. Order of Things 8. Blind and Dearly Dog PART TWO (POEMS OF LOVE AND AFFECTION) 1. Precious Gem 2. You are Beautiful 3. Kissed By an Angel 4. I Miss You 5. Always There 6. Some Love in April's 7. Dear Merrysol 8. Dreaming or Not PART THREE (POEMS OF SOUL AND SPIRIT) 1. God Loves Us (The soul we are) 2. The Face of God (And Voice) 3. Wisdom of The Heart 4. The Potter and the CLAY 5. Sonnet for the Self 6. Teach Me (The Virtues of Passion) 7. A Quiet Time and Place (In Contemplation) 8. And What is God ?		PART FOUR (LIGHT POEMS AND HUMOR) 1. The Magic of Laughter 2. If I Wake and My Head is Gone 3. What Kind of Train is this one Really ? 4. Footnotes (Songs of the staircase) 5. To My Sneaker Nike Air 6. Another New World (Dedicated to all newly born) PART FIVE (POEMS FOR THE POET) 1. Soul or Poet 2. Saved From Himself (The poet's escape) 3. At My Best Perhaps 4. Accolades not for Me (Though glad as the channel) PART SIX (SONNET FOOD FOR THOUGHT)Poetic quotes and comments in sonnet form 1. On Love 2. On Change 3. On Relationships 4. On Desire 5. On Problems 6. On Death 7. On Freedom 8. On Opinions PART SEVEN (INTRODUCED POETRY) Introduction to New Moon 1. New Moon 2. Introduction to Many Wives 3. Many Wives of Our Father 4. Introduction to Rough Dark Night 5. Rough Dark Night