Nick Makoha
Q & A with Nick Makoha, writer and performer of our South East poem called
‘Botanist’
Nick is a Ugandan poet and playwright and based in London.
He is founder of the Obsidian Foundation, www.obsidianfoundation.co.uk, which helps black poets of African descent advance their writing practices.
His debut book ‘Kingdom of Gravity’ was nominated by The Guardian as one of the best books of 2017. He was the 2019 ‘Writer-in-Residence’ for The Wordsworth Trust and Wasafiri.
His play ‘The Dark’ was shortlisted for the 2019 Alfred Fagon Award.
His brilliant poems have appeared in titles including The New York Times, Poetry Review, Rialto, Poetry London, Triquarterly Review and Boston Review.
Why is being involved in this project so important to you?
I hope the poem triggers happy memories from people around the country about their local pub or those pubs you stumble upon. It is funny how a friend’s conversation and a good beer can make you appreciate your place in the world.
I hope the poem triggers happy memories from people around the country about their local pub or those pubs you stumble upon. It is funny how a friend's conversation and a good beer can make you appreciate your place in the world.
What impact do you hope this poem will have?
There are certain places that are fabrics of society, your pub, your barbershop, your local bakery, they make the journey of living enjoyable. My hope is that these poems capture some of the joy we have been unable to share with each other in person and give us hope that we will return to those good times.
What do you love about pubs?
I love stumbling into a pub in summer. An afternoon pub lunch is god’s gift to mankind. My wife’s favourite date with me happened in a pub. Pubs are adult citadels of joy.
Favourite tipple at your local?
It depends on my mood. Cider, Guinness and blackcurrant or rum and Coke.
Favourite pub dish?
Bangers and mash or steak and chips.
