Poetry volume launched

Belize’s growing literary fraternity today welcomed back an old friend. “Strained Confessions”, a book of poems written by educator Sakinah Muhammad, was launched during ceremonies this evening at the Leo Bradley Library in Belize City. The book contains thirty three poems that cover subjects ranging from love to patriotism.

Sakinah Muhammad, Author, “Strained Confessions”

“It touches topics of a wide range and I am sure that all poetry lovers will find something in it that they could love and appreciate.”

Patrick Jones

“What was your inspiration for putting this work together?”

Sakinah Muhammad

“Well, think I was inspired to become a poet from my days at the Belize Teacher’s College. I have always loved poetry. Ever since I was a student in the primary school. We had teachers and principal that insisted on a lot of extra curricular activities and us as young students, reciting poems was a regular occurrence in my childhood in the primary school days.”

Patrick Jones

“Now the title “Strained Confession” is it an indication that it is sort of a biography?

Sakinah Muhammad

“The title “Strained Confessions” happens to be one of the poems that I wrote from the early days. And in my discussion with a friend as to which one of these poems should I take to name the book, this friend suggested why don’t you take “Strained Confession.” Now the poem is “Strange Confession” but because we are using it as a title for the book, then we said “Strained Confessions”, which would probably give one the impression that it’s a whole lot of confession about good, bad, sad, gory things, but it’s just a title of one of the poems.”

“Strained Confessions” sells for twenty dollars and is available at bookstores in Belize City and from the author. In 1991, Sakinah Muhammad published her first book of poems titled: Rain Lover.