I Am Memory

I AM MEMORY by Jumoke Verissimo
Published November 2008
ISBN: 9789780880651
Format: 195 x 135mm
Extent: 64 pages
Illustrations: 4 nos.
POETRY
A themed collection of poems arranged in four movements and centered on the broad theme of remembrance, expressed mainly through emotions of loss, dispossession and despair. I am memory highlights the human condition as remembered in lucid moments, aided with a measured control of line and verse by a poet of promising abilities.

¿ Addresses universal issues and issues specific to Nigerian realities.
¿ Powerful and evocative poems in readable language.
¿ Contains four memorable illustrations that precede each movement.
¿ A slim volume packed with poignant poetry, to be read and re-read.
¿ Short listed with honourable mention for the 2009 ANA
¿ 2009 Winner: T.M. Aluko Prize for First Book of fiction & 2nd Prize, Ibrahim Tahir Prize for fiction, Abuja Writers Forum Literary Contest

Jumoke Verissimo has worked as a printer's clerk, assistant sub-editor, editor, performance poet, copywriter and journalist with different organizations including Farafina, Rosabel Advertising and The Guardian. She is a graduate of the English Department at the Lagos State University. Her poems and short stories have appeared in several magazines like Chimurenga, Bathtub Gin, Canopic Jar, Eclectica, Sentinel, African writing-online, Boyne Berries, Farafina, Kwani and several anthologies. 'I am memory' is her first book. She is currently working on her first novel and a second collection of poems.
"Jumoke Verissimo's poetic voice is imbued with a consciousness of African history and an awareness of the socio-economic realities of modern Nigeria with its legacy of colonial plunder, its pathetic attempts at self-governance and the brutality of its military dictatorships. She balances the despair she sees all around her with a degree of stubborn hope and an enchanting lyricism which echoes the style of oral African poetry."
- Funso Aiyejina (Critic, Poet and Professor of Comparative Literature)
"Confident, passionate, sensual...a gripping collection...a powerful debut. I was hooked from the first page to the last."
- Biyi Bandele (Author, Burma Boy)
"In this her first collection of poems, Jumoke Verissimo, remakes language beyond mere lyricism to uncover the roots of pain and the passion that will heal it. She addresses communal hurt as a personal fate that awaits an assured balm....This poet will travel."
- Odia Ofeimun (Poet and critic, author The Poet Lied)
Jumoke Verissimo is a Nigerian poet and writer. Her first book, "I Am Memory", has won some literary Awards in Nigeria. Some of her poems are in translation in Italian, Norwegian, French, Japanese, Chinese, and Macedonian.
The "People's Daily" describes her collection as "a bold stance of pain and other emotions, filtering through the pores of gross indifference and achieving a communal cry of retrospective protest." The Punch also describes her as, 'one of those who will change the face of literature in Nigeria,' after her first book, which was well-received across the country. Her works have appeared in "Migrations" (Afro-Italian) Wole Soyinka ed., "Voldposten 2010" (Norway), "Livre d'or de Struga" (Poetes du monde, sous le patronage de l'UNESCO) and many other print and online magazines.

Awards and nominations:
2009: Carlos Idzia Ahmad Prize, First Prize for a first book of Poetry
2009: Anthony Agbo Prize for Poetry, Second Prize for a first book of Poetry
2009 Honourable Mention Association of Nigeria Authors (Poetry) Prize 2009
2012: Recipient, Chinua Achebe Centre Fellowship 2012
2012: Mother Drum Golden Award for Excellence, for poetry