Poetry and Creative Writing for All

Shilla Mutamba

I hold an MSC in Biomedical Science from the University of Portsmouth and am a Fellow of the Institute of Biomedical Science (UK). I was born in Zimbabwe where I studied Medical Laboratory Sciences at the University of Zimbabwe. I then relocated to the Isle of Wight to take up a post as a Biomedical Scientist. I currently live in Leicestershire with my husband and children.

Publications:

I have been writing since primary school days. My short stories and poems (written under my maiden name, Shilla Ndlovu) have also appeared in my former High School newspapers and magazines as well as other publications in Zimbabwe. Noteworthy achievements include:

-Two poems, "I am me" and "Stubborn fact" published in the Zimbabwe Women Writers’ Anthology (1994) under my maiden name, Shilla Ndlovu. Edited by Norma Kitson, Published by Zimbabwe Women Writers, April 1994, ISBN-10: 0797413189, ISBN-13: 978-0797413184

-Publication in Tsotso Magazine of New Writing (1993, Zimbabwe)

-Publication in Munyori Journal (2007)- www.munyori.com

-Publication on www.authorsden.com/shillamutamba (2007)

I am currently working on a collection of poems. I hope to get my first poetry book published in the near future. I believe I’m called to be a writer who carries the message of hope. There are enough writers who talk about depression and despondency. I believe my mandate is different. Personally, I do not enjoy depressing poetry. I would like to deliver poetry that is light and simple enough for people to enjoy. If my writings can be both relevant and inspirational, I believe I would have succeeded in executing my task.

Personal experiences

First and foremost, I am a woman and so I probably write as one. Over and above that, I am a Christian and I hope my writings reflect this aspect of my being as well. However, it is my desire to keep my writings real and relevant. Like most people, I have had my fair share of bad experiences. However, I deliberately refuse to focus on these. I believe everything I’ve been through was preparing me for where I ought to be. I believe anyone can make it despite what they’ve been through. This is the message which I hope to convey through most of poems. A good example is "I will arise" which is featured on www.authorsden/shillamutamba .

Target audience

My poems are for anyone who is looking for poetry that is fresh, funny, modern, simple, light, inspiring, refreshing, real and relevant.

Finding My Way

I first saw her one day
In the middle of May.
Her looks were no play,
Into her heart,
I would find my way.
Her heart, I vowed to win,
To win her heart, I was keen.
She had a cute face
That I did notice.
I vowed to give her my best smile.
I hoped my smile
would go an extra mile.
Her phone, I’d always dial.
I went through a great deal,
But her heart, I began to steal.
Love for me, she began to feel,
But ay, what a telephone bill!

Heart Matters

Skinny, moderate or obese

Who cares? We’re diverse

Size twenty, zero or eight

How big is your heart?

Hail, thunder or lightning

Rays of light, shining

Freezing cold, mild or wet

How warm is your heart?

How Can I Boast

How can I boast
About my colour
As if I got it
From a parlour?
How can I boast
About my life
When I can’t bring myself
Back to life?
How can I boast
About my possessions
When my possessions
don’t determine
My final position?
How can I boast
About my abilities
When I can only do
What I’m enabled to do?
This is what I’ll do
I’ll boast and I’ll brag,
Not in who I am,
But in He
Whose handiwork I am.

Meek, Not Weak

I may be meek
but don't think
that I'm weak.
I know I'm cool

but by no means
am I a fool.
I will not swear

yet I demand my share
I do like it
when we play fair!

My Teenager Room

My teenager’s room is tidy today
It seldom is this way
I wonder what’s underway.
To this trick I’m no stranger
Help-my beloved teenager
Is a pocket money-monger!

The Cat From Next Door

The cat from next door
Thinks our front door
Is its loo
So it does its poo
On the floor.
Wish I could let
The cat’s owner know
About the floor
But the man from next door
Won’t open his door.

Submission Guidelines:
Poems of no more than 30 lines in length each will be considered.

Post your poems to Featured Poets, Forward Press Ltd, Remus House, Coltsfoot Drive, Peterborough PE2 9JX (Write your name and address on each piece of work you send)

Or email your poems to inbox@forwardpress.co.uk (Enter Featured Poets in the subject line, including your name and postal address)