Poetry Challenge #270-Achebe's Way
Chinua Achebe (born 11/16/1930) was a writer, poet, editor, and is called the founding father of African fiction. Born in eastern Nigeria, of the Igbo tribe, he often wrote about his native Nigeria and much of his works explore themes of race and heritage. Known more for his essays and novels, notably Things Fall Apart, than poetry, Achebe was nevertheless, awarded the Commonwealth Poetry Prize in 1972 for his first poetry collection, Beware, Soul-Brother, and Other Poems. Achebe, who began writing in his 20s, once said that the way an Irish writer wrote about Nigeria prompted him to begin. He died in 2013.
“A Man Who Makes Trouble for Others Is Also Making Trouble for Himself”
Pine Tree in Spring
by Chinua Achebe
Pine tree
flag bearer
of green memory
across the breach of a desolate hour
Loyal tree
that stood guard
alone in austere emeraldry
over Nature’s recumbent standard
Pine tree
lost now in the shade
of traitors decked out flamboyantly
marching back unabashed to the colors they betrayed
Fine tree
erect and trustworthy
what school can teach me
your silent, stubborn fidelity?
Poetry Challenge #270
Achebe's Way
Use the ode-like style of Achebe’s poem, “Pine Tree in Spring” to create a poem of your own.
Think of an object you admire and describe it. Tell its story.
Finally, ask it a question.
Set Your Timer for 7 Minutes
Start Writing!
Don’t Think About it, just WRITE IT!
Treat yourself to more of Achebe’s poetry: CLICK!
Cindy Faughnan and I began this 7-Minute Poetry Challenge 2000+ days ago. Now we take turns creating prompts to share with you. Our hope is that creatives—children & adults—will use our prompts as springboards to word play time. If you join us in the Challenge, let us know by posting the title, a note, or if you want, the whole poem in the comments.
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