Write Me a Poem by Mark Nwagwu, is a three-volume collection of poems written daily to God. The collection spans a whole year – Volume I (January-April), Volume II (May-August) and Volume III (September-December) – from January to December 2020.
Nwagwu’s Write Me a Poem is an excellent example of poetry written in the Catholic tradition of mystical poetry that has achieved especial accomplishment in the works of the Spanish Carmelite mystics like John of the Cross, but also in the life of his spiritual heir, Therese of Lisieux. As such, the poems are painfully aware of Good, Evil, and the deep connection a penitent soul could have with the creator. In the Divine, the poet has found both himself and all whom he has loved, and they remain steadfast.
"The three-volume collection by Mark Nwagwu titled Write Me a Poem is a good example of poetry written in the Catholic tradition of mystical poetry, that has achieved especial accomplishment in the works of the Spanish Carmelite mystics like John of the Cross, but also in the life of his spiritual heir, Therese of Lisieux. As such, the poems are painfully aware of Good, of Evil, and the deep connection a penitent soul could have with the creator."
Richard Anyah, writer, editor and African diaspora researcher
"Mark Nwagwu, unapologetically Catholic Christian, takes readers to the very peak of contemplative prayer in the three volumes of Write Me a Poem. The poet paints riveting images that depict his vulnerability as a human person, yet, equally conscious of his intimate relationship with the Divine. Hence, this child-man that converses with so much candor with his Creator about everything and anything, melts into delectable tenderness when he speaks to the Madonna. The poet’s identity as a child in the presence of Divinity is the groundwork of this three-volume collection. The humanity and sublime transcendence of Write Me a Poem leaves you with a soothing authenticity that lingers long after you have turned the last page."
Nwachukwu Egbunike, poet and author of Blazing Moon and Nka
“Come, follow me,” Jesus told them. And the disciples started a divine adventure. As Pope Francis never tires of repeating, “we have heard many times that Christianity is not only a doctrine, it is not only a behaviour, it is not just a culture. Yes, it's all that, but first and foremost it's an encounter. A person is a Christian because he has met Jesus Christ, he has let himself to be met by Him.” Professor Nwagwu has had that encounter, but like all love stories it cannot be conveyed in prose: it needs the poetic language. Only poetry can give voice to the reasons of the heart that reason cannot understand."
Revd. Fr. Diego de Jodar, Doctor of Sacred Theology (STD)
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
MARK NWAGWU, a professor of cell and molecular biology, lived an unforgettable life as an undergraduate at University College, Ibadan, 1957-61. He took his Ph.D. at the University of Stock-holm, Sweden, did landmark research at the University of Connecticut, USA and Brock University, Canada as Associate Professor of Biological Sciences before his return to the University of Ibadan in 1976 from which he retired in 2002.
A Fellow of the Nigerian Academy of Science, Professor Nwagwu revolutionized parasitological research in the basic sciences with the Cellular Parasitology Programme, at the cutting edge of research, not available anywhere in tropical Africa at its inception in 1987.
A scientist of honour, Professor Nwagwu turned to literary works in retirement. An exciting writer of repute, he has published three novels, Forever Chimes (2008), My Eyes Dance (2010) and I Am Kagara (2016). He has also published four works of poetry, all dedicated to his dear wife, Professor Helen Onyemazuwa Nwagwu: Helen not of Troy (2008), Cat Man Dew (2010), HelenaVenus, (2013) and Time Came Upon Me (2019) written in her memory after her departure in 2018.
Professor Nwagwu received the Lifetime Achievement Award by the University of Ibadan, in 2018, in celebration of her 70th anniversary.