The “Birth of Illusion” (Fullpoint Publishing) is a collection of 61 poems divided into three sections. The poems are angry, vivid and full of imageries that capture human condition in its many forms. The poet’s style is dynamic as she tries to engage the concept of pain in its many dimensions, even in the context of intimacy. There is emigration and the consequences of war, and its victims, there is also some room for the intimacy, in the third section, where the poet explores the matters of the heart. #This long-expected second collection would be well-received.
BLURBS FROM THE BOOK
With “The Birth of Illusion,”Jumoke Verissimo is establishing her powerful voice in the best tradition of the Nigerian troubadour. *The Birth of Illusion* jumps the gender divide with versatile metaphors, surprising the reader with an informed analysis of contemporary history from Abuja to Cairo and reaffirming that the best poets, like her, are feelers and doers.With a keen eye, she claims loss, blood and love as the themes of *The Birth of Illusion*. Weaving these themes, she reveals an empathy and a proficiency that is tough, touching and above all, profound. — Toyin Adewale-Gabriel (Poet and Author, Naked Testimonies)
Terrifying angry and passionate poems, this is poetry as tense as it gets.She is, in her own phrase, ‘tending a garden in hell’ in these poems.Tending Truth in a time of terror. Tending words at a time when language itself is a risk. — Giles Goodland (Poet and Author, The Dumb Messengers)
Jumoke Verissimo’s new poems remind me of the young Bob Dylan, who wrote “A Hard Rain’s A-Gonna Fall”. — Jan Erik Vold (Poet, Translator and Author, Big White Book to See)
Grinding imagery populates her lines but the poetry gets its message and the issuing heart remains tender. Powerful new work from an interesting poet. — Afam Akeh (Poet and Author, Letter Home and Biafran Nights)
Visit www.jumokeverissimo.com
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