COPYRIGHT

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Thursday, 15 October 2026

THE KING, THE THRONE, THE BELLY AND THE ENGINES...

 

THE SAMURAI 



OLAYINKA SAMSON AREMU (THE SAMURAI)'S 2026 BRILLIANCE SHINE SO BRIGHT ALL THROUGH THIS POWERFUL PIECE. SEE BELOW:


Can You Wear my Shoes?


My eyes have borne things that I don't like

but I don't get offended,

I don't judge you, and I won't until I go through what you are going through.


But why do you judge me?

Why refuse to bounce away your eyeballs from the wall of the limelight that's blinding you from seeing the gross of darkness behind?

Why can't you take the torch of your thinking and flash into my darkness?


Can you wield my storms?

when the tempest comes tossing and your anchor can not hold anymore,

Can you keep rowing, 

                                    and rowing, 

                                          and rowing?

Can you pluck sleep 

from the roof under 

which I was built? 

Can you knit pillows from my piles of emotions and demons?

With the hydra-headed monster of pain and the hunger that holds me within but draws the caricature of a strong and happy man on my face? 


Firstly, can you be me for a second?

Don't you see that I'm like Borno, 

Borno, burning inside with my insecurities,

Lowered by the empty bosom, where self-esteem once blossomed?

Failures from the past that's hunting the present.

Anxieties and regrets that still suckle from the navel of my soul,

That keeps turning and turning time and again!

I wear weaknesses within my DNA,

My fears and flaws floor me.


Can you be in my head?

Can you be me instead?

Can you ponder on what I'm pondering?

Wandering in the wilderness of fear

Of what may, 

Of what may not and what if it's not everything I dream they will be

Different memories from different places bubbling away in my head, mixing into a pungent vinegar of self-blame!


Thoughts that are as deep as seven oceans

Beneath which one can find death...

Can you dive into my depth and not drown?


In my depth, I cry for help when no one is listening,

With the demon of doubt depriving me of deep determination that once dwelt within me.

Almost drowning in the deep sea of depression... 

And I only swim better than concrete slabs!

I don't know if I'm as living as I look,

Or if I'm looking as I live.

Do you know how hard it hits to be me?


The head is the King of the body

the neck is its throne

the belly houses the engines

but all of them; the king, the throne, the belly and the engines, are not too heavy for the feet to carry.

Can your feet carry my body?

Can you shoulder my burden?


Seeing, they say is believing but the truth depends on your point of view.


So, before you clad your mouth with an athletes gear and run it,

Could you at least walk a day in my shoes?

And see if you'd not be shooed?


Before you point at someone’s torn clothes, make sure you’re not putting on ripped jeans.




Wednesday, 7 October 2026

ARE YOU A SPOKEN WORD POET?



Dear Poets, Spoken Word Artists, and Wordsmiths,
Welcome to the Poetreel Quarterly Competition. Formerly a monthly event, the Poetreel Competition has evolved into a quarterly tournament.


Each competition cycle runs for three months. This extended period allows ample time for submissions, public engagement, judging, and the announcement of winners. The Top 10 poets will be chosen by the community, and our in-house judges will select the final Top 3 winners. There are no separate monthly competitions within the quarter.


Born out of our deep love for spoken word poetry, this audio-based platform seeks to promote the art form, create opportunities for unique voices to be heard, and celebrate the brilliant minds behind the words.


Are you ready to unleash your poetic prowess?


COMPETITION GUIDELINES


1. Competition Period
The Poetreel Quarterly Competition commences on October 1, 2026. Each competition cycle runs for three months, culminating in the announcement of the Top 3 poets.


2. Quarterly Theme
The theme for each quarter will be announced on the first day of the quarter on the Poetreel blog. All entries submitted during that quarter must directly address this theme.


3. Submission Period
Audio entries can be uploaded from the 1st day of the quarter until 12:00 PM (noon) on the 1st day of the third month of the quarter. For example, in the upcoming quarter, submissions open on October 1st and close on December 1st.


4. Submission Category
All entries must be uploaded under the specific category/genre corresponding to the quarterly theme, or under the category/genre tagged "Poetreel."


5. Entry Duration
Each audio entry must be five (5) minutes or less.


6. Correct Category
Entries that are not uploaded under the appropriate category or genre will be automatically disqualified.


7. Selection of the Top Ten
At the close of the submission and public engagement period, the Top 10 poets will be selected based on the highest number of likes received on Poetreel.com.


8. Tie-Breaker
In the event of a tie in the number of likes, the total number of comments received on the entry will be used to break the tie.


9. No Bots or Manipulation
The use of bots, paid engagement, or any fraudulent means to manipulate likes or comments on Poetreel.com will result in immediate and automatic disqualification.


10. Announcement of the Top Ten
The Top 10 finalists will be announced on the Poetreel blog on the 15th day of the third month of the competition cycle.



11. Selection of the Top Three
Our in-house judges will evaluate the Top 10 finalists to determine the Top 3 winners. Entries will be judged on the following criteria:


Context: Adherence and relevance to the quarterly theme.
Content: Creative and appropriate use of poetic devices.
Delivery and Articulation: Clear, confident, and engaging vocal performance.
Originality: Creativity and uniqueness of the piece.
Audience Appeal: Ability to connect emotionally and intellectually with the listener.


12. Announcement of the Top Three
The final Top 3 winners will be announced on the Poetreel blog between the 19th and 29th day of the third month of the competition cycle.

13. Eligibility After Winning
Previous participants are welcome to compete again, with the following exceptions to ensure fairness:
If you place in the Top 3 in a particular quarter, you cannot participate in the immediately following quarter. You may return for the subsequent cycle.



  • If you place in the Top 3 in Quarter 1, you must sit out Quarter 2, but you can compete again in Quarter 3.

  • If you place in the Top 3 in Quarter 2, you must sit out Quarter 3, but you can compete again in Quarter 4.


14. Multiple Wins
If a poet is declared a Top 3 winner on two different occasions within the same year, they cannot compete again until the final quarter of that year.

15. Prizes
Prizes will be paid out on or before the 15th day of the month following the winner's announcement. The cash prizes are:
First Prize: £75
Second Prize: £45
Third Prize: £30


The cash prize is courtesy of The Poetic Multiverse.


16. Payment Methods
Cash prizes can be distributed via:



  1. PayPal

  2. A UK bank account

  3. A Nigerian bank account (paid in Naira at the prevailing parallel market exchange rate)


We look forward to listening to your entries, discovering new voices, and celebrating your incredible talent.


For questions, details, and inquiries, please reach out to us:
Email:


hella@poetreel.com | wordup4one1@gmail.com | thepoetreel@gmail.com


Phone/WhatsApp:
+234 803 468 8863
+234 803 076 7359
+234 802 507 0892 (WhatsApp calls and chats only)
+44 7901 376721 (WhatsApp chats only)


Let the words rain, so words can reign.


GRANT OF RIGHTS
By submitting an entry to the Poetreel.com Competition, you grant Poetreel.com a non-exclusive, royalty-free, worldwide licence to use, reproduce, edit, and share your entry, performance audio, photographs, name, voice, and likeness to promote the platform. This includes promotional use across social media, the Poetreel website, live events, and other marketing media.
You retain full ownership of your intellectual property and remain entirely free to use, publish, or share your work elsewhere. This licence remains valid for seven (7) years from your submission date.

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