Modern African Poetry Award Winning Patron Michael Mwangi Macharia

By: Abigirl Phiri

Worth Noting:

• My name is Michael Mwangi Macharia. I am referred to as Triple M in the literary world. My poetry journey began after being introduced to Literature by Madam Lukalo in Form Three at Koelel Boys.
• Modern African Poetry was birthed in 2020. This was a momentous period due to Covid-19. The world had come to a grinding halt. Institutions such as schools, churches and restaurants were closed.
• I expect the group to grow steadily and hit membership of ten thousand poets and creatives. I plan to register the group as an organization of writers.
• I have not encountered any major challenges. However, there has been need to manage the content to ensure they remain quality items.

One of the most popular poetry groups promoting mainly African writing is the Modern African Poetry group headed by the talented Michael Mwangi Macharia from Kenya. Consequently being a member in that venerable group, l know what l am talking about. This is because if you are an upcoming or seasoned poet who wants to be in close affinity with the rest of the world, Modern African Poetry group is the right place for you. Worth noting, there are not many people who will invest their time and effort to propel literature to greater heights. For some this is a taxing task which instead Michael has solely embraced. Kudos to his initiative. Below is what Triple M as he is lovingly called forth by his legion of poets had to say in greater detail.

Please tell us your name and how your poetry journey started?

My name is Michael Mwangi Macharia. I am referred to as Triple M in the literary world. My poetry journey began after being introduced to Literature by Madam Lukalo in Form Three at Koelel Boys. I was inspired to write after reading the poems in a colorful anthology Attachments to the Sun. I wrote about a train weaving its way round the hills. Our school was perched on a cliff from where we observed the sun setting in the Rift Valley every evening. There was also Lake Elementaita and Kariandusi Prehistoric site in the horizon. The school was nestled at Gilgil barracks and that really appealed to the boys. When l joined Kabarnet High School, l studied Literature, History and Kiswahili. This gave me more exposure and l wrote solo verses for performance in festivals. At Moi University Eldoret some of my lecturers were poets and we sat under their feet in silent fascination.

How did Modern African Poetry group come to be?

Modern African Poetry was birthed in 2020. This was a momentous period due to Covid-19. The world had come to a grinding halt. Institutions such as schools, churches and restaurants were closed. Events including monthly poetry and spoken word meetings could not take place. There was need for a platform for poets to reach out to each other while in self-isolation. The focus of the original group was the emerging poets. In due course, established voices began to appear which was quite a boon.

 Have you won any major accolades and are you a published poet/author?

Over the years, l have participated in music and drama festivals as a writer, director and producer competing up to national level. I was inspired when my verse “The Land that l love” was selected as a set poem for recital in the whole country. A set poem l trained also attained position one nationally. This was a boost to my career as a poet. Ironically, l am most proud of a photography award l won in 2022 in competition organized by Afripix.

“Upon Death of a Poet” was published in an anthology Echoes Across the Valley (East African Educational Publishers). In the recent times, l have contributed and published poems in several anthologies. These include “Waiting” (Lion Haunting and Hunting Cities & Towns Edited by Gorata Ntswabi), “Midnight in Younde (Corpses of Unity Ed. Nsah Mala and Mbizo Chirasha) and (Unspoken Crimes Ed. Harlord Ankwasa). I have also edited, reviewed and guided publication of collections by MAP members. One such collaboration was with Gigi Gosnell now a published poet based in South Africa.

Who is your inspiration?

I would say my parents Grace and George Macharia. They were educationists and nurtured a conducive environment for intellectual growth. The poets that we studied were inspiring too. They were regional and global in their perspective and approach. These included Christopher Okigbo, Sendar Senghor, Agostino Neto, Taban lo Liyong, Okot P’bitek, Wole Soyinkas and David Rubadiri. European Poets such as WB Yeats and TS Elliot also had an impact. The posts by all MAP members are very inspiring to say the least.

Where do you see yourself and the group in the near future?

I expect the group to grow steadily and hit membership of ten thousand poets and creatives. I plan to register the group as an organization of writers. I will enhance collaboration with publishers and media to promote poets. I envision the group as the choice platform for poets.

What problems have you encountered in sharing poems?

I have not encountered any major challenges. However, there has been need to manage the content to ensure they remain quality items. The other is language barrier. There are contributions in Kiswahili, Shona and even slang that may not be understood by all the members.

Share with us one of your best poetry piece

The Road to Mara

The crimson-golden sky

Welcomes yet another dawn

In the vast Savannah plains

That beckon with nature’s magic

A mighty roar

Ushers a bright day

On a troop of wildebeests

March in unbroken line

Bound for greener pastures

Silent whispers and awwws

The sight of spotted cats

Walking with gentle spring

After the long night’s hunt

In absolute unfettered freedom

At a corner

The horned wild bull

In a foul mood

Standing and gazing defiantly

Alone in the misty fields

In the river

The ugly water cows

Lurk stealthily beside crows

With open hungry jaws

Ready to snap hapless prey.

Kindly share your social media handles

I am active on FB and LinkedIn as Michael Mwangi Macharia. On Instagram the account is MichaelMacharia 1.

Any words of advice to upcoming poets and writers?

They need to be patient and grow their craft before rushing to publish. They need to write on a daily basis and set time for reading. They should be ready to accept corrections by readers, critics and editors. Rewriting the poems is also important after a while. For true poets, writing is a way of expression, release of emotions and healing. It is essential for mental wellbeing. 

What can be done to promote writing in Africa?

Leaders need to promote emerging and established writers. An African or individual country’s award would go a long way. There should be cash prizes and scholarships opportunities for poets. Additionally, poets need to present beside the speakers on national occasions. Poetry should be a way of creating employment.