The Writers of African Origin in the Diaspora (WAFORD), a branch of the Pan African Writers Association (PAWA), has officially launched Finish Line, the debut poetry collection by US-based Nigerian poet Abby Kesington. The event was held virtually, drawing literary voices from Africa, Europe, and North America.
Spanning themes of resilience, identity, womanhood, and self-discovery, Kesington described her work as far more than a collection of poems. “It’s a piece of my soul,” she shared, revealing that the book was written during a turbulent period marked by job loss, depression, and a search for renewed personal strength. “Every stanza is layered with pain, hope, and healing. I had to reclaim the tigress I used to be.”
Finish Line is the result of five years of painstaking effort amid some of Kesington’s most difficult life moments. After losing her job, she spent a year navigating uncertainty while balancing caregiving duties and writing. “I would wake early, drive people to hospitals—some to chemo or hospice care—and come home to write. Their struggles reminded me I still had something left inside me. Writing became my healing.”
At the launch, Kesington read selections including The Voice, I Am Gem, and the title poem Finish Line, each resonating deeply with the virtual audience. She described The Voice as particularly challenging, written after a panic attack during a public reading. “I was smiling outside but battling impostor syndrome inside. That war became a poem.”
Reflecting on the title’s symbolism, Kesington explained, “I was once a sprinter in high school, thinking life was fast and straight. But life is more like a marathon—you fall, wait, cry, but keep going. The Finish Line isn’t just an end; it’s a transformation.”
Professor Bill Ndi, WAFORD’s coordinator and event host, praised Kesington’s work for its raw honesty and transformative power. “Abby’s poems don’t just speak—they shout, whisper, and weep. She transforms personal experience into a social mirror, illuminating life’s darkest corners.”
PAWA Secretary-General Dr. Wale Okediran hailed the launch as a significant cultural milestone, reaffirming the association’s commitment to nurturing African writers globally. “Writing is a journey of stamina, not speed,” he said. “It requires perseverance through rejection, delay, and doubt.”
He also applauded the book’s title for its poetic resonance. “Having published over 15 books myself, I know titles rarely come easily. Abby’s title captures the essence of her journey perfectly.”
Dr. Okediran challenged WAFORD to establish international creative residencies modeled after Nigeria’s successful program that has supported over 350 writers from 12 countries. “We need spaces abroad where African writers can complete their work, mentor young minds, and stay connected to our literary heritage.”
Chief launcher Dr. Ango Fomuso Ekellem described Finish Line as a universally resonant work. “Abby’s poems are rich in imagery and meaning, reflecting a soul in dialogue with itself and the world. They carry the quiet force of change that poetry delivers unexpectedly.”
A poignant moment came as Kesington read I Am Gem, a meditation on immigration and self-reinvention. “Coming to the U.S. as an immigrant, I lost myself. This poem reminds us all that despite flaws, we shine. We are gems.”
Kesington credited her sister, Tosin Kesington, an English teacher in Nigeria, with shaping the manuscript. “She polished every word. Her role was immeasurable.” She dedicated the poem Will You? to her sister’s honor.
The striking cover art, created by Professor Raqib Bashorun, also holds personal significance. “That artwork lived in my living room for two years. When the time came, I asked to use it for the book, and he agreed. It was a divine collaboration.”
The collection is organized into four thematic sections—Life of Anxiety, La Femme, Pot Pourri, and The Travels—each tracing different facets of Kesington’s emotional and creative journey.
When asked about the recurring phrase “grand design” in her poems, Kesington was clear: “Yes, that’s God. I’m not ashamed to say it. He’s in every line. I don’t preach, but I reflect what I’ve lived.”
Since finishing Finish Line, Kesington has written over 30 new poems and shows no sign of slowing down. “Now I wake up in the stillness of the morning and write. Sometimes it’s a butterfly, a squirrel, or a sunrise that inspires me. This is just the beginning.”
“To anyone told to dim their light—this book is for you. Write your own story. Don’t let the world write it for you.”
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