By
Acen Miriam Carolyne Download pdf, epub, mobi
My
names are Acen Miriam Carolyne. Most people call me “floetry”
because of my poetry. I earned the nickname quite easily and adapted
to it with ease on social media. To earn a living, I work in the
operations department of a freight company in Jinja.
names are Acen Miriam Carolyne. Most people call me “floetry”
because of my poetry. I earned the nickname quite easily and adapted
to it with ease on social media. To earn a living, I work in the
operations department of a freight company in Jinja.
Hmmm…
I have been a poet for a short time, I should say. I started writing
while in secondary school, but I only became a fully fledged poet
recently. Well, you know the cliche, “Not everyone who writes
poetry is a poet”. My moment came last year. I wrote a poem for my
online community, and their feedback overwhelmed me. Until then, I
thought of myself as a not-so-good-pretender, but those comments
encouraged me to write more, and to try to get published. Soon after
this, I was selected to participate in a workshop, along with nine
other poets, at the British Council. I met very wonderful poets and
writers, and I learned a lot… Then, last month, I came second in
the Muwado Love Letter Writing Competition. Hmmm, beautiful moments,
I love to cherish, but all these prepare me for a brighter future….
For now, these achievements have inspired me to compile a collection,
hopefully to be published later this year or early next. Something
floetic, I should say.
I have been a poet for a short time, I should say. I started writing
while in secondary school, but I only became a fully fledged poet
recently. Well, you know the cliche, “Not everyone who writes
poetry is a poet”. My moment came last year. I wrote a poem for my
online community, and their feedback overwhelmed me. Until then, I
thought of myself as a not-so-good-pretender, but those comments
encouraged me to write more, and to try to get published. Soon after
this, I was selected to participate in a workshop, along with nine
other poets, at the British Council. I met very wonderful poets and
writers, and I learned a lot… Then, last month, I came second in
the Muwado Love Letter Writing Competition. Hmmm, beautiful moments,
I love to cherish, but all these prepare me for a brighter future….
For now, these achievements have inspired me to compile a collection,
hopefully to be published later this year or early next. Something
floetic, I should say.
Sadly,
I have never performed on stage. Lets blame it on stage fright.
Once, I registered to perform at Poetry in Session. My name was
called out twice, but I remained quiet and hidden. For some reason I
just got scared, yet I was really up to it. I think that living and
working in Jinja limits my participation in many poetry events. Most
of these fall on week nights, and so I cannot attend. I wish they
would have stuff over weekends as well.
I
got to write this poem, Inside the Happy Mind of a Side Dish, after
considering various perceptions in society about women and marriage.
I must say that Maya Angelou’s poem, Phenomenal Woman, was a great
inspiration in writing this one, but I had to put into consideration
the labels and brands that society places on ‘side dishes’, and I had
to tell their side of the story. I’m talking about women who out
actively pursue men, but only for the second position. They will tell
the man, stay with your main wife, or your girlfriend, and keep me on
the side. Their reasons range from the non-committal aspect, and
benefits which are attributed to financial security. I read about
some of their experiences in the media, but I have also interacted
with women who are comfortable in that role, who love being the other
woman in a man’s life.
When
it came to picking a title, I had trouble. There were several
options, including The Other Woman, and Side Dish, but I love the
longer title very much, “Inside the mind of a happy side dish.”
It reflects what I want to say about these women. While society is
quick to condemn then, I want to portray them in an ordinary, and
very humane way, just as feminists would portray strong female
characters in the roles of doctor or engineer or queen.
But
of course, when people come across this poem, they get mixed
reactions. Some find the concept rather offensive, controversial, and
very provocative, especially since the society attaches particularly
strong moral values to marriage and relationships. Those against it
argue for the preservation of the institution of marriage, given that
side dishes have earned the name “home wreckers.” I surely will
not be shocked if there are a few negative reactions to this poem. I
once shared a written version of it on facebook, and the reactions
were mostly comical, I should say. Most men liked it, for obvious
reasons I should think. Hahaha…
Am
I married? *Smirk face* No. I am not yet married, but I’m currently
dating. I have a beautiful two year old daughter too. This poem is
not autobiographical at all. I have never been a side dish, and I do
not think I want to ever be one. It is purely my imagination. The
idea tickled my brains and I kept wondering what a woman who is a
side dish might think of, how much comfort and satisfaction such a
woman would derive from being second in a man’s life. The ordinary
narrative is that these women are jealous co-wives, always fighting
and bickering with the main woman. The feminists think such women are
products of our patriarchal society, they resent such women, they
think these women are weak traditionalists who perpetuate male
superiority. Some call these women prostitutes. True, for a moment,
the relationship might seem parasitic, but at the end of the day,
it’s all about self gratification, and maybe just another search for
happiness.
This
is what I like about poetry. It gives me freedom to imagine lives
that I have not lived, and to make powerful statements about our
society. I would love my poetry to inspire while also educating
different people. I am happiest whenever I receive feedback that one
of my pieces has touched someone. That, to me, is like fresh jasmine
at dawn…
Watch
Side Dish on youtube
http://youtu.be/we_pdjFTtWk
Side Dish on youtube
http://youtu.be/we_pdjFTtWk
Acen
Miriam Carolyne loves
to read and write poetry, especially spoken word, since she loves her
poems to appear theatrical. She started writing while in secondary
school, but only recently became a fully fledged poet. She mostly
publishes her works on social media platforms, and this year, she
came second in the Muwado Love Letter Writing Competition.
Miriam Carolyne loves
to read and write poetry, especially spoken word, since she loves her
poems to appear theatrical. She started writing while in secondary
school, but only recently became a fully fledged poet. She mostly
publishes her works on social media platforms, and this year, she
came second in the Muwado Love Letter Writing Competition.
Also in this issue
Short
Fiction
Playing Games in the Delta by Lauri Kubuitsile
In Her Sister’s Shadow by Hannah Onoguwe
Jar of misfortune by Mulumba Ivan Matthias
Jaw’ed Angel by Yazeed Dezele
Poetry
Like My Mind by David Ishaya Osu
The Plan by David Ishaya Osu
A Cancellation by Ali Znaidi
I’m Unlike My Mother by Liz Leppy
Spoken Word
Inside the Mind of a Happy Side Dish by Acen Miriam Carolyne
BN Poetry Awards
Special
Interview with Tom Jalio
Short
Fiction
Playing Games in the Delta by Lauri Kubuitsile
In Her Sister’s Shadow by Hannah Onoguwe
Jar of misfortune by Mulumba Ivan Matthias
Jaw’ed Angel by Yazeed Dezele
Poetry
Like My Mind by David Ishaya Osu
The Plan by David Ishaya Osu
A Cancellation by Ali Znaidi
I’m Unlike My Mother by Liz Leppy
Spoken Word
Inside the Mind of a Happy Side Dish by Acen Miriam Carolyne
BN Poetry Awards
Special
Interview with Tom Jalio
