aqumada

1 - Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Yoftahe was a voice that needed to be heard. (Comment this)

2 - I was able to make an educated guess on the historical content of this poem but it did take a single phone call to my mother in order to grasp the significance of “Gobena” or the author, which I must say was a complete embarrassment. I realized that my background on Ethiopian history is almost nonexistent and my Amharic reading level probably still in the 5th grade. Every time I pick a book written in my native language, I dread the lengthy time it takes me to finish. Therefore, it has been close to two years since I’ve read any literature that came out of Ethiopia. The inability to immediately recognize the elegance of this poem felt like I was cheating the country that I claim to love so much. Without a true understanding of one’s history, it is kind of impossible to make a vital socio-economic change so to my Amharic book junkie (you know who you are), I am about to start my first book on Ethiopian history…wish me luck!!

T

P.S. Sorry for diverting a little from critiquing this poem … (Comment this)

3 - Can you please post more of Yoftahe Negussie peoms? I'll be grateful! (Comment this)

4 - I promise to post few more I got from my friend. Unfortunately I know of no published works of his. (Comment this)

5 - Unfortunately most of his work has been lost.I don't know if they've got copies in We Mezekir.The Ethiopian national library? I too have few of his poems. Let's see if they are identical! Visit Medrek, Common interests, at poetry corner.
Regards!
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