Barack Obama, Jewish Gold, African Gods and Other Prose

by John Njenga Karugia

John F Kennedy (1917-1963) said 'when power leads man towards arrogance, poetry reminds him of his limitations. When power narrows the area of man's concern, poetry reminds him of the richness and diversity of his existence. When power corrupts, poetry cleanses.' John Adams (1735-1826) wished 'I must study politics and war that my sons may have liberty to study mathematics and philosophy. My sons ought to study mathematics and philosophy, geography, natural history, naval architecture, navigation, commerce, and agriculture, in order to give their children a right to study painting, poetry, music, architecture, statuary, tapestry, and porcelain. Yet many men and women traversed and traverse our God-given world like demagogues seeking political, religious and economic power at any cost. They deny poor, innocent children, women and men better lives. They are ignorant and arrogant. We write poetry to cry, laugh and love. To say we remember and that we will never forget to remember that we said we will remember.

72 pages, Paperback

First published December 17, 2008