The Sunday Mail
Tendai
Chara
FABIAN Choto — the prolific poet — has done it again! Following his publication of the Shona poetry anthology “Wajaira” in 2016, which is made up of 21 well-crafted pieces, Choto this time came up with a breath-taking English poetry anthology, aptly titled “Wisdom and Foolishness”.
A Rusape-based policeman, Choto showed his deep commitment to poetry by taking time off his busy schedule to pen 19 well-thought-out poems.
“Wisdom and Foolishness” tackles a number of issues, among them love, culture and natural disasters. Being a Christian, the majority of Choto’s poems in his latest publication are laced with praise and worship.
In “God and His Word”, the writer praises the Lord and further explores the benefits of abiding by God’s Word.
Choto takes it a step further in “God our Protector” as he buttresses the positives of living in accordance with the Almighty’s rules.
Poems like “Become a Performer” are motivational in nature.
Written in simple and easy-to-understand language, part of “Become a Performer” reads:
“Move from being an idle person
To a performer
And you would have done nothing less
But a great thing!”
Another noteworthy poem is “Unleashing the Unstoppable You”.
It preaches the need to build a relationship with God as opposed to spending time searching for pleasure, wealth and success.
“Wrong Company” advises the need to steer clear of bad people.
Again written in a straightforward manner, the writer, who takes a quote from William Shakespeare’s “The Merchant of Venice”, advises leaders to keep the company of “peace-loving men, men of integrity, positive thinkers and men of sound mind, believers”.
Choto penned a poem on natural disasters, especially focusing on the devastating effects of Cyclone Idai.
The poem “Chimanimani — A place of Hope” chronicles the horrors associated with the cyclone.
In a clever way that dilutes the tragic effects of the natural disaster, the writer began by describing Chimanimani’s beautiful scenery before gradually moving to the tragic events.
“Killer Disease” is meant to rally efforts to fight HIV and Aids.
The ability to fluidly switch from one topic to the next is important in keeping the reader interested.
The anthology’s title —drawn from the poem “Wisdom and Foolishness” — generates curiosity.
By juxtaposing wisdom and foolishness, the poet naturally draws the reader’s attention.
“Fools think their own way is right
But the wise listen to others
A fool is quick-tempered
But a wise person stays calm when insulted,” reads part of the poem.
“Black Skin-Black Skinned” is a call to embrace Africanness and to reinforce societal values.
Choto told The Sunday Mail Society that his wish was to see more poets coming through the ranks.
“It took me a number of years before I could release my first anthology.
