Imanna (ePub)

IMANNA is an epic poem on the Rwanda Genocide written using the nine-line Spenserian Stanza.

With the protean energies gifted me of the gracious Muse, "the Pearl richer than all his tribe", I have been working on IMANNA for a year now - ever since the Muse spoke my name and gifted me her flaming powers to speak of the sorrows of the dead of the Rwanda genocide. Flame haired Imanna of splendour: I feel that I am the most fortunate of men to have met you a year ago. It is an encounter which erupted into the fiery words of your wrath - and here are the lines of your rage at the outrage which is the Rwanda genocide.

IMANNA is not a political tract nor is it an act of finger-pointing over the Genocide. IMANNA is an act of witness. It is the voices of the dead seeking the one who would name their names and thus grant them "journey's end" the closure that the Genocide denied them all when they were denied burial amidst the slaughter.

Goddess I have written using Spenserian structure (because of its heroic, epic pedigree, although there is nothing heroic about the Genocide). I hope, flame haired One, that you find these lines worthy of you. I hope that your anger ceases Goddess: I hope that IMANNA will please you and that you will find the poem worthy to carry your name. I know you as the wrathful One ready to walk to the ends of the earth in search of one more of your sons and daughters of Rwanda. I know you as the wrathful One whose Flame goes forth to the darkest places of earth there to speak the name of the last one of her sons and daughters of Rwanda - and to raise the Flame high and guide them back on the sacred way to the sun-drenched Isles of bliss. I have endeavoured to carry your instructions Goddess. Nyangi Nyangiya, Imanna of splendour, triple maiden Goddess whose wrathful face darkens in an instant when mention is made of her lost ones of Rwanda: Goddess please find these my lines worthy to carry your name of Imanna of Splendour. Svelte One: I bring these lines to you as my offering to you. May you find them a worthy sacrifice, dearest Goddess.