Today, I had a precious surprise visit from no other person than handsome looking Delalorm Semabia, my blogger friend from Ghana. Mind you I’d never seen Dela before. We only relate online. Dela’s blog African Soulja is dedicated to African Poetry review and he does a masterful job of it, believe you me. Do pay him a visit and sample the delights on his blog! 🙂
And the double surprise? Dela, an Engineer by profession, traveled to the US on official visit and brought me this lovely book shown above: Written on the Sky: Poems from the Japanese. Translated by Kenneth Rexroth! I just fell in love with the curt book of poetry, with its black cover and gold and red etchings. I think that is so wonderful and of him, don’t you think so too? 🙂 He walked straight into my office this afternoon, with this lovely present, his face bathed in genuine smiles. We talked at length after the initial shock and squeals of laughter and I could see straight that he is such a warm and a caring young man.
The contents? Poems and haiku by Matsuo Basho, (yes Basho), Yosako Akiko and Murasaki Shikibu among others. And his autographed words: For Celestine, because you always write above the Sky, Dela.! 🙂 Wow! If these words are not enough to make my day then I don’t know what else would! 🙂
Thanks so much dear Dela. May God replenish all you spent on me ten fold (a Ghanaian prayer :-). Hope to see you soon on Citi Fm! 🙂
Reading Pleasure 
What a lovely surprise Celestine ! These lovely gestures make blogging worthwhile. Thank you for sharing this with the rest of us.
My pleasure, Rallentanda. 🙂
That’s so cool! It’s amazing how great friendships can be formed online.!! That book looks amazing!!
It is wonderful to discover such intelligent, insightful writers in the blogosphere. So happy for you two, Celestine! 🙂
Thank you Panchali. Sorry for the late response. It was a surprise that I’m still reeling over 🙂
You’re too kind, Celestine. It was an awesome time today and we should surely talk all over again about the conversations we started today. Enjoy that book to bits. 🙂
Dela, so sorry for the late response. I guess I’m still reeling over your lovely gift. As long as I live know that I will never forget your beautiful gesture 🙂
Did I catch myself almost blushing? 🙂
Ha ha ha 😉 Feel free dear friend 🙂
What a wonderful surpise and gift.
Yes oo Nana!
How wonderful for you to have such a lovely surprise!
It was really marvelous, Gilly 🙂
What a lovely surprise from a true friend. Blessed are you to gather such love 🙂
🙂 Indeed I’m blessed Eric to have so much love from you guys as well 🙂
Wow! That is great Celestine! Wonderful that you met your friend, Hugs!
Yes, it was really great Tazein. Hugs to you too. Hope you’re doing great!
That’s so awesome of Dela. Wow! 🙂
Yes, Teecee. Thanks 🙂
Yuppy!!! that’s great. I look forward to reading your review. 🙂
Thanks Mary. Soon 🙂
A splendid gift for a lovely Poet who tirelessly entertains us with her array of beautiful words.
Such generosity from Dela. Glad you met and hit it off. Here is to more poetic connection!
Best wishes, Stella.
Stella, your beautiful comment made my evening. Thanks so much 🙂
So many gifts in one, Celestine. ‘The woman who writes above the sky’ what a splendid and fitting epithet.
Ow thanks so much Tish, for the lovely comment..
Wow. Wonderful. Thanks for sharing.
My pleasure, Alice.
🙂
How wonderful!
It truly is 🙂