The Little Sparks in Me

About the Book

The Little Sparks is a random anthology of reflective ideas, concerns and questions; optimistic and not-so-hopeful, irritations and excitements, courageous and helpless that I have wrestled with over the years. Thoughts that have continued to shape my worldview and my being hence you may take this for my personal periodical. My African heritage is a recurrent theme that cuts across most of what I have to express. I have also been personally bugged down by a plethora of complicated questions such as; my mortality and what it means to be breathing and what it really means to be a human being. Also, as a first generation ‘voluntary’ immigrant in the US, I often wonder what my place is in my ‘new home’ and the new world. I have spent some time also reflecting about love and parting. Finally, as I get much older, my faith too is fast becoming rooted- an old friend assured me just the other day that Baté you are just getting older and you are afraid to die. I see unity in all these things consequently I have managed to bring them together in this tome. Although some of the subjects may seem more familiar than others since they are my perceptive perspective, I hope that this will help to break the ice. It does not deal with everything but it deals with most of what pervades the critical issues facing an immigrant, professional, black, spiritual, loving and caring, and conscious global citizen. It took me a little while to come up with this assortment therefore it may be helpful for you to read them sparingly as well. Quite frankly, they are not arranged in any particular order of subject or reasoning. I suggest that you make use of the table of content for your predilection.

About the Author

Originally from the West African country of Cameroon, H. Baté AGBOR-BAIYEE has studied formally in Cameroon, Nigeria and the USA.  Baté holds an MA in Political Science and an MS in Higher Education Administration from his ‘beloved home’ Illinois State University.  He currently serves as Coordinator of Residence Education at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, USA.  Baté is known for his big heart, warm soul, and strong belief in life and the human possibilities.  In this offering, he shares some of his very simple axioms and profound personal interpretations of life, living, and our humanity.  This is a wrestling match with the vicissitudes of life and love. As a socio-literary explorer and critic, he has profoundly navigated the subjects of cultural, educational, spiritual, community and global social justice.  This assemblage, The little sparks in me: A random collection of Poems and Reflections is an extraordinary tour de force expressed in an incredibly casual, and enjoyable manner.  Via email, Baté can be reached at agborbaiyee@yahoo.com