Poet Interview: Afi Koasi
Afi Koasi is a Ghanaian writer who through poetry has found a passionate outlet for self-expression. Her poems reflect the very essence of word power, exposing the reality of stories written beautifully. She’s a writer determined to be heard, writing away her deepest thoughts as experienced and observed. Afi is a lover of art, music and chocolates.
When did you become a poet? How did you know it was the right medium for your stories?
I took writing, particularly poetry, seriously three years ago as I find it is the most liberating way for me to speak my mind. Poetry gives me the freedom to tell it all, to own my words and write them precisely how they come to me.
What inspires you to write?
My father inspired me to become a poet and much of what I write about is inspired by personal experiences, happenings around me, as well as the writing of other people.
Who are some of your literary or artistic crushes or influences?
Upile Chisala is a storyteller from Malawi and a graduate of the University of Oxford. She is known for her short and powerful poems. Chisala recently signed a three-book publishing deal with US-based publishing house Andrews McMeel.
Jasmine Mans is a Black American poet, and artist from Newark, New Jersey. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin Madison, with a B.A. in African American Studies. Her debut collection of poetry, Chalk Outlines of Snow Angels, was published in 2012. Mans is the resident poet at the Newark Public Library.
Tryphena L. Yeboah, the winner of the 2021 Narrative Prize and Third Place winner in Narrative’s 2020 Spring Story Contest, was born in Mampong, Ghana. Her debut chapbook, A Mouthful of Home (University of Nebraska Press, 2020), was selected for the APBF New-Generation African Poets chapbook series.
What are you currently reading?
Black Girl, Call Home by Jasmine Mans. This is a poetry collection about race, feminism, and queer identity. With echoes of Gwendolyn Brooks and Sonia Sanchez, Mans writes to call herself, and us, home. Each poem explores what it means to be a daughter of Newark, and America and the painful, joyous path to adulthood as a young, queer Black woman. Black Girl, Call Home is a love letter to the wandering Black girl and a vital companion to any woman on a journey to find truth, belonging, and healing.
Tag three of your favourite IG poets we should read:
@seyramdarkey_
@aananse
@mustzafa
What are some common themes you see in your own work?
Self-love, femininity, death, love and life.
How do you beat writer's block?
Reading helps a lot to deal with writer’s block.
Do you feel that sharing your poetry is a vulnerable process?
It sure is a vulnerable process as I do not merely desire to write but as much as possible be honest, expressive and open in my narrative. When I write, I want my words to bear witness to who I am first. I think it is what readers can easily relate to. That said, it is also an empowering process-to not hold back on what is the core of my craft.
What does "good poetry" mean to you?
To me, good poetry should be clearly understood. Have the reader spellbound at the very first word. It should leave you full and empty all at once.
What is your writing process like?
I usually get a theme first. After that is the daunting task of finding the right words to meaningfully compose a piece. Sometimes it takes its natural course, other times a poem would have to be written a number of times, frustratingly tossed away, completely rewritten, read through a dozen times more before I consider it good enough to be shared …wheww.
Afi is a part of our latest anthology, ‘A Womb With A Heart That Beats All Over The World.’ This anthology focuses on African voices. It contains poetry by Ama Bema, Fortune Maine, Joshua Adebayo, Afi Koasi, Arieth-Eva, Baaba Andrews, Bill Masuku, Britney Lindo, Cindy J. Steward, Devjani Bodepudi, Emiricus Brown-Murillo, Gail Fawcett, Genara Necos, Ghabiba Weston, Grace Louise Wood, Jasmine Oakley, Jerome Coetzee, Jonah Attalla, Karabo C. Modise, Meron Taye, Njabulo Nkambule, Nokulunga Mkhize, Nqobile Kgasi, Robel Sank, Sammi Yamashiro, Saviour Lee, Tammy Pieterson, Tim Bocquet, Uchechukwu Nwafor, Uzomah Ugwu and Vanessa Chisakula. You can buy your copy here.