Announcements
Meet the ArtingArena Team
Behind every story, poem, and artwork you will see on ArtingArena is a team of passionate creatives dedicated to one vision — taking African art to the world. Led by Oyin Bimbo, our Founder and Head Editor, the team includes Read more
Announcements
Chapbook Poetry Contest (Submission Window Extension)
ADDRESS CONCERNING THE ARTINGARENA CHAPBOOK CONTEST Greetings, dear poets, writers, and enigmas. This is to inform you that the deadline for our chapbook competition has been extended to October 20, 2023. Our judges have started reading the brilliant entries received Read more
Library
Poems by: Ojo Emmanuel Olumide
As werecline trudgethrough dawn through dusk through timewe conjure we calibrate we cartograph we carveto probe to unmask to propitiate to justify to unleashthe despair the despair the despair the despairwe invoke we shrink we skininto bodies Read more
Announcements
Chit-Chat, Poetics & Ethos
About the Interviewer JOEL OYELEKE studies Literature in English at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. He is a poet, literary enthusiast, God addict, and curator of Poetry Village, OAU. Author of THE THEM IN ME (Direwords, 2022). Co-author of LET ME Read more
Library
Poem by: C.P Nwankwo
I taste the world a gore-stricken soul, feebling in the things that clang relief…
Fiction
A fictional piece – by Elusogbon Aishat
…we were all running about, trying to get away from the acid rain that was pouring on us from…
Library
Poems by Mubarak Said
i start this poem with what I believe
could quietus the grieving dust, since it is an abomination to call me a poet…
Library
Packet of Lies
it in the heaven’s stomach;
you see a glitter that makes your
hope grow beards…
Library
A poem by Ayiyi Joel
Praise to the man who held mein the moments of my first cry—the gentle pull of tender lips shrills. The man with pocket-full of night tales& folk songs. Of language & eloquence. Ode to the man whose face I wear,who Read more
Library
SINCERE SUFFERINGS
Behold anon not quicklythe slave boy in shacklesgiving his daily meal to the beggar’s ladwith a sickly but healthy smile Look please don’t glanceas he rushes to help the market womenwith their heavy basket of fruitwithout a thought to steal Read more
Library
THREE LIMERICS
I blame not my shedding leavesThose that leave without notice Some people are like that Deft artist in the hood of artPainted me a living naked tree, leafless * * * Like the branch, some are in this lifeCould Read more
Library
Poem by Yahuza Usman
My Feverish Pen was wallowing in its misery,small enough to subdue its melancholy,bright enough to throw into reliefthe dark plastic that cluttered it. i heard that much rage was crawlingtogether with its flooded ink trying to fetch fresh ink and Read more
Library
Poem by Loko Lael Tamarauebi
Within the stillness of the darkest night,
When all the world is lost in peaceful sleep,…
Library
AN IMBROGLIO FROM DUSK HOARDING DAWN IN MY ORIGIN – a poem by JOEL OYELEK IFEOLUWA.
IMy country is a democratic mantra in imbroglioThat rapes goodness, molests peace,Chastises orderliness, mocks oneness,Glorifies chaos and spills bullets on the vulnerables. IIGreen – White – GreenGreen – the greener pastures we all seek elsewhereWhite – dusk that leaves us Read more
Library
ARGENA: poems by SCARED CROW
1. THAT DOUBT Like us in our heart, we know,Not to believe the world,We once believed a long time ago. Like us in our lament,We say more than we can chew,Even when the world looks nice,Not hunting us, we still Read more
Announcements
threnody
i scribble in my face, my father_ who found strands of my hair in the teeth of my comb, i remembered when he sewn in the heap in my yard, roses, bougainvilleas, hibiscuses with their sprouts and petals of reds Read more
NonFiction
DIARY OF A PREGNANT WOMAN’S HUSBAND
THE OUTBURST! Not uttering a word, she rose from the bed and went about her morning chores while I also get prepared for work. Ready for work, I went to say goodbye, and then, she burst my bubbles. I had Read more
Announcements
New Book Alert (Free Download) – 20th January, 2023.
Description: Poetry Format: PDF Publisher’s Note I am glad, and it is indeed a great privilege to have read this collection of poetry. I can’t be prouder as well to have a part in the success of this book and Read more
Library
DIARY OF A PREGNANT WOMAN’S HUSBAND
It was supposed to be a beautiful Wednesday morning with the sun up in all its glory…
Library
DIARY OF A PREGNANT WOMAN’S HUSBAND
Being a pregnant woman’s husband was such a special and interesting experience. I lived it with my wife and a few months after the child was born I’m happy to share it with you. I felt compelled to write this Read more
Library
LESSONS FROM MY PREGNANCY JOURNEY: GOD IS INTERESTED IN EVERY BIT OF OUR LIFE
The first few months of pregnancy were challenging for me as I became conscious of my new condition…
Library
LESSONS FROM MY PREGNANCY JOURNEY: PATIENCE
While at forty weeks my baby was yet to come, I became agitated and anxious at the same time.
Library
LESSONS FROM MY PREGNANCY JOURNEY: ASSURANCE
As I progressed in my pregnancy journey, I had a lot of questions about what was happening to me physically, mentally, and emotionally. I wanted answers to my questions but did not know where to find them. As I went Read more
NonFiction
I GIVE UP ON GOD!
Good things can happen to bad people and bad things can happen to good people. Many times, God appears to be on the side of the enemy. At times, God appears to be a cruel magician, waving His magic wand Read more
Library
KICKING AGAINST THE PRICKS
Change, they say, is the only constant thing in life. What if I say there are many other things that are also constant in life…
Uncategorized
BOXED!
When you have a gift box, what do you do to it? You unbox it, right? When you have a box full of different kinds of clothes and you have an occasion to attend, what do you do? You open Read more
Uncategorized
HOW 2022 COULD BE BETTER
Help us to do better in the coming year by dropping a review for us. What do you want us to do better? What do you want us to keep doing? What new thing do you want us to introduce. Read more
Library
DON’T EVEN GIVE ME THAT! By AYOMIWRITES
Excuse me sir/ma, calm down first. Why have you turned yourself into a lion/lioness? Just why? Why have you suddenly become unapproachable? Listen, life doesn’t work that way. It is often been said that no one is an island of Read more
Library
today at the farm – Oletu Ogheneyore C. (Nyore Note).
my cycle tube was hurt, i had to go the old style.long kilometres, steady, my foot finally said hito the farm. the sun became angry as soon as my machete kissfew weeds, the season commencing, again. suddenly, the sunny sky Read more
Library
CANDLE IN THE WIND – Oletu Oghenenyore C. (Nyore Note)
The hand of the sun was not heavy enoughTo light the pack of dreams I shelteredIn the manor of my mind.I scribble on some leavesWhat I want tomorrow to tellOf me. Yesterday is late, it diedAt the zero-zero hours, yet,I Read more
Library
O Amon – Oletu Oghenenyore C. (Nyore Note).
O Amon,I desire you to smile for meCrouching in my arm like an eggIn a nest, cackling to my faceWhile the sun passes byTo roost. My garden is barrenThe first I cultured didn’t blossomBad soil, no manure, and light. & Read more
Library
NO LONGER WHO WE SUPPOSED TO BE
the mirrors on the wall didn’t tell us who were
but who we ought to be
…
I hope I write out Soyinka’s eyes too
Since I can’t operate his heart.
Library
Why I Write
Why I Write… There were dark momentsDarker than molten obsidianThat darkens the seasonsAnd made me act dark Solace couldn’t offer solacePeace had a hurricane in itJoy was feigned on dysphoriaAnd I hoped beyond Hope So I bare my soul to my penAnd the Read more
