ENOUGH: A Harvest Of Poetry From a Life Of Questions Seldom Answered

By Sam J. Ssemaganda

Don't bother reading this book if you are not ready to change what you know you need to change.

Sometimes we write to make things right. Sometimes you read so you can take the lead.

This book is for those that can't stand it anymore. When society settles for what should unsettle them, disaster is always imminent. For decades, post-i

• Language: English
• Publisher: BlackCandle Media
• Release date: May 27, 2023
• ISBN: 9789970965908

Book preview

Published by BlackCandle Media Ltd

P.O Box 515, Entebbe

Twitter: @BlackcandleM

Tel: [phone]

Edited by Crystal Rutangye

Lay-out and cover design by Alex Nagawa

Drawings by Jane Lillian Vance

www.janelillianvance.com

© Sam Johnson Ssemaganda 2017

First published in 2017 in Kampala, Uganda

All rights reserved. No Part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or translated in any form or by any means, electronic, magnetic tape, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior permission in writing of the publisher.

ISBN: 978-9970-9659-0-8

CAUTION

If you are not ready to do anything to change anything about what you know you need to change, don’t bother reading this book.

This book is dedicated to the one woman who doesn’t need to read it, Ms. Josephine Namugga…Rest in Peace mom!

About the Author and the Book

Sam J. Ssemaganda had his first brush with the world of poetry on the laps on his mother, who he considers a great poet that often told great tales around an evening fireplace in the local dialect, Luganda. It is on this strong foundation that he stands to use poetry as a voice for positive change.

He is the founder and Managing Director, BlackCandle Media-birthed out of his belief that ideas that make the world a better place are light in themselves and the conveyors of those ideas are the candles giving light to the world. The organization brings together professional and budding writers, poets, publishers, and media practitioners who are passionate about tilting Africa’s seat to a better position on the world stage.

This anthology (most of whose works have already been featured in several local and international publications) serves as an amplifier to Ssemaganda’s unstoppable activism voice as well as a collection of events pieced together to remind us that life is different for different people and after all is gone, one’s most precious possession is their dream, and self-motivation – the fuel to drive it to reality.

This is why this book will help you to grow in the understanding that sometimes what messes us up most is that mental picture of how things around us are SUPPOSED to be, thinly-faced with the way they really are and our imagined inability to change them.

A difference maker then is one who takes the decision to enjoy and appreciate their unique ability to stand up to the challenge around them, say ENOUGH and pick the courage to inspire the change they desire to see in their community, knowing well that the world is much bigger. If everyone did their best, the world would certainly be the best place for all humanity to live a happy life. Do your best. The rest will rest!

Appreciation

Colleagues in the media fraternity for always having no case with finding space for my poetry.

Robert Bake, Crystal Rutangye and Namiiro Leah; such a necessary bother with your constant reminder that the world is waiting for this book.

Freda Angom; thanks for believing in me.

Flora Aduk; your support for verse is special.

Gustav Johansson; your hope in me was not in vain.

Rukh-Shana Namuyimba; you know that wasn’t just anything.

Family, friends and fans for turning my fears into cheers.

The team at BlackCandle Media; I wish I could thank you enough!

Contents

CAUTION

About the Author and the Book

Appreciation

Foreword

WAKE UP AFRICA

The African Patient

Red Africa

Guns and Pens

I am a War Child

Diary of an African Refugee

The Next Murder

Katureebe (Let’s see)

The Fire Place

My