Leaves

By Abu Ibrahim

I have always wondered what leaves felt of falling
Is it relief from hanging on for so long?
Is it pain from being cut off the family tree?
Perhaps it’s joy from feeling home again
For the earth was where it all began

Biography

Abu Ibrahim, popularly known as IB, is a Nigerian poet whose work has caused tremendous influence and change. In 2021, he was part of a group of poets who advocated that the Recording Academy make spoken word poetry a standalone category at the Grammys. This led to the birth of the “Best Spoken Word Poetry Album” category in 2022.

His debut poetry album “Music Has Failed Us” got a Grammy acceptance. This body of work is available on all major streaming platforms. Some of his works have also been published in literary outfits in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, and more. 

He has performed at the Pa Gya Literary Festival in Ghana, Lagos International Poetry Festival, Say It Out, Lagos Talks Town Hall Meetings, Nigeria National Chess Championship, Quramo Festival of Words, Global Poetry Meet organized by Poets of Bangalore, India, and more. 

He is the recipient of the LASU Debate Society Impact Maker Award for Storytelling and Outstanding Impact and the 2023 recipient of the Port Harcourt Poetry Festival Poetry/Spoken Word Poetry Album of the Year.  Connect with him on X or Instagram with the handle @_therealib