CONVERSATIONS WITH COLLEEN: MEET THE POET, Jude Itakali

Welcome to an extra feature on Word Craft: Prose & Poetry, which highlights the poets in our writing community. It’s a chance for readers to get to know the people behind the poetry and the books. It’s a great way to share our love for writing poetry with others.

This week I’m thrilled to bring you, Jude Itakali and his first book of poetry! “Crossroads (Winds of Love)” releases May 17, 2021, and is available for pre-order now.

Jude Itakali was born and lives in Kampala, Uganda. He is publishing his first collected works, “CROSSROADS (Winds of love).”

When not being an athlete on the rugby field, or crunching down numbers on a computer for work, he delicately pens the epiphanies from life and its different relationships and encounters.

He writes about all sorts of topics, finding a way to relate them with each other because no one theme exists in a vacuum.

Empathy is sometimes considered a gift, and Jude has it in abundance.

Amazon.com

Jude has taken part in Tanka Tuesday for a few years now. Each week I look forward to his special brand of poetic magic. Welcome, Jude!

Hi, Colleen. Thanks so much for this interview. I’m really looking forward to our chat.

Great! I wanted to ask you a few questions so we could all learn more about you. Here we go! What got you started writing poetry? Why did you stick with it?

I love poetry because of its ability to touch many people, and yet still touch each one in a particular way. I admire the creativity it gives and the outlet for emotions that might otherwise fester within. The ability to exercise the breadth of language to pass on a message has always captivated me because it touches and evokes much deeper than plain direct words.

I write poetry because through it, I can share concerns, happiness, emotions, and awareness in ways that people can read and enjoy freely and openly.

I agree, Jude. We write poetry to connect with others. So, if you could tell your younger writing self anything, what would it be?

I’d tell my younger self to stop hoarding his writing and get in touch with people who like reading and writing early enough. Doors would have opened much earlier. Plus to get his writing out there through a blog or site, and read a lot more with the aim of learning, as well as enjoying the read.

How has publishing your first book changed your writing process?

Publishing my first book has not really changed my writing process, but put an emphasis on quality, so that I keep learning, and keep improving in order to curve a niche for myself in the vast array of amazing writers and talent out there.

Thanks, Jude. What is “Crossroads (Winds of Love)” about?

In the corridors of love, at the crossroads of loneliness, we stand at our most vulnerable. As the winds of love swirl, we are often ill-prepared for the portends and promises that they carry. The longing, lust, fear, and deception. But also the hope, renewal, and lessons of love. In this book, may we be strengthened by the memory of things we have survived, soothed with the understanding of perspective, and comforted with the hope of things yet to come.

May these poems, prose and short stories touch each of us in our own particular way.

It sounds like an amazing read, Jude. I’ve added the links below:

Kindle Amazon.com

You can find Jude on his blog, Tales Told Different. Look for his poems. You’ll be glad you did!

Thanks for stopping by to meet Jude. ❤