Staff Writer
Acclaimed visual artist Barry Lungu will soon write poems inspired by some of his artworks in fulfillment of his childhood dream.
Lungu who has his paintings across the globe has always loved and enjoyed poetry since his primary school days.
“It’s an idea I have been pondering for a few years now. I feel I am now ready to unleash it . . . writing poems that are inspired by my artworks. It’s a side of me that I have never shared with most of you here, the poet in me!” Lungu said.
“The creative spark was always within me from a very early age. When I was a young boy attending Pfumo Primary School in Chitungwiza, I wrote a booklet of poems based on children. I wanted them to be published for children to read and enjoy them.
“Where I got the guts and confidence from, I wonder! I found myself one day at 1 Chancellor Avenue in Belgravia, Harare at the offices of the Child Survival and Development Foundation asking to see their patron, one Sally Mugabe.”
Lungu continued: “The lady at the reception promised to pass the booklet over for her to read. (I) made numerous returns there but with no progress. With the restlessness and impatience of youth, one day I decided to go and ask for my manuscript back.
““Mama finally read your poems and loves them! She asked me to give you a date on when she will be here next so you 2 can meet’ I was so thrilled to hear this! Needless to say, I never got to meet the First Lady as the receptionist I kept telling me that she wasn’t feeling well to come to the offices anymore.”
He said Amai Sally Mugabe’s death also marked the end of pushing hard with poetry booklet.
“My dream was to see those children’s poems published by her organization, which was doing so much for children in Zimbabwe.
“Years later, I revived my interest in short poetry. Of late, I have quietly been writing a few based on my paintings. I have a lot within me to share with you here. I am now ready to share them with you here my friends.”
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