Tony Fernandez:Poet in Residence at the 5th London Poetry Festival 2009

Tony was born in South London and has lived in several parts of England and Nigeria . He started writing at the tender age of nine, a habit he expressed with creative enthusiasm. Tony writes Poetry, Plays, Proverbs on Personal development and Children's Stories. He has recently developed a keen interest in Self- Coaching, Self-made recipes and the Novel.

He completed a Bachelor of Arts degree at The University of Lagos, Nigeria in English and World Literature. He later went on to attain a teaching qualification at The Frances King International Training Institute, South Kensington London, it was here he studied Teaching English as a Foreign Language. He also studied Web Design at The City University in London.

Tony has organised and produced events and performances enhanced with flair, depth and an unusual hint of creativity in several parts of London and Berkshire. The Artist also writes for Websites in the UK and Nigeria. He published his first book in June 1999 called "The Beauty in the Dark" (A Collection of Poetry which received critical acclamation in many circles around the world). He is in the process of writing his third book which is likely to be published this year. . Tony's aim in life is to inspire the young generation and to encourage the youth to make the very best of their dreams and aspirations, He has published a 2nd book called " The Sound of Running Water" - A Family gift book of proverbs and quotations on Personal Development.

Besides the fact that the Artist has won International online awards, he is mostly inspired by Life experience, love, music and cultural awareness. Tony has a huge appetite for Life, A profound fascination for the history and philosophy that influence people and cultures, but most importantly a natural willingness to listen, share and learn.

Today he is the Editor for Africa Awakening Online and several of his poems can be found on The Africa Awakening Online Website

Poetry is Profound, Diverse, Personal, Varied, Deep and enhanced with Spirituality.

Poetry is like an endless world of many answers, stories, experiences and emotions. A Poet is much more than just a writer, a Poet has a role to set a moral example in any society and act as a messenger of truth. I write poetry to set example to the young generation, share my experiences and encourage people to become more positive and believe in themselves and realise what they are capable of.

Writing Poetry helps me to get a better understanding of various societies, behaviour patterns, the philosophy behind cultures and personal relationships. It also helps me to grow, learn and feed on the experiences of others.

SOLDIERS OF PEACE

We shall eat Cassava for breakfast
and drink from gourds of coconut cream.
We shall dance in the "Mangrove" naked
With our pockets empty and our shoulders high

The Village died on a Sunday morning.
I still recall the spirit of the cemetery,
haunting the air in blind starvation.
But now ...

We do not need a shepherd to guide
our flock across the delta.
Our future lives in the heart of children.
We are who we are,
A People.

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THE BEAUTY OF LIFE

Listen to the wise riddles,
from the silence of the precious sea
still notes embracing the mind,
into a century of soft music.
A century filled with melodies
which are calm, content and fearless.

Listen to the wise riddles
from the silence of the precious sea,
Listen carefully and it will set you free.

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ONE MOMENT OF PEACE

Every substance is intact
Living through a sequence of peace
Every movement captured
By the raw feelings of self-assurance

I am as calm as the stream
Blessed with beauty and still waters
I shall breathe like a King
Despite the mystery from the grey storm
And trace the pictures of my dreams.

Every seed is intact.
Bones that have felt many places
Coloured with strories untold
Freedom is a home and not a prision
With many more songs and voices
Every substance ...
Every moment ...
And if you listen carefully
One Moment of Peace

Copyrights @ Tony Fernandez

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THE BEAUTY IN THE DARK

Last night I felt The Beauty in The Dark,
Warm whispers felt upon the mystery of a stream,
And in the stillness of the night,
I kissed the moon,
for lost children wonder upon the valleys of this earth.

Last night I swayed amongst the rivers of a life,
And through the thunders I found your smile,
But in the silence of your eyes you said goodnight,
And in the richness of your grasp I felt a cry.

But Africa,
In the spirit of your song,
I knew your shadow,
And in the richness of your grace I took that train,
for the howling drums in my mother's backyard
Awakes my spirit,
And in the corners of your eyes,
I have shared a story ....
A dream ... A Life ...

But now it is dark, and I cannot see you,
And the voices from my elders begin to drown,
Now it is late and I cannot hear you,
For time seperates the marshlands of this open forest,
Where the breasts of this earth
Feeds the souls of my many brothers.

Tonight I drank music in a foreign lake,
I sang history on an empty shore,
And when I danced the trees began to shiver,
For the voices in my dark
Became too dark ... too firm ... too real ...

The night is young and beautiful,
The shadows are still wandering in their hundreds,
From a distance I hear the crows of the cock.
And so I danced,
For in your story,
Life found a new voice
And in your glory hope found a new song.

Copyrights @ Tony Fernandez

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