Through the pages of Nnamdi’s two collections of poems “Paradigm City and other poems” and “Life With So Short A Memory” on which this essay is based, the theme of freedom marches like a Trojan horse. Nnamdi dares his reader to walk against his manacling fears and be free, insisting in “Pride Like A Brown Eagle” that only through that shall freedom be gained though obstacles rage and “…you will see us soar/as we fly to freedom, and finally! /you will hear us shout again.” He does however suggest subtly that the true freedom is the one we give ourselves and to others, likening humanity’s freedom to a rose in “This poem is for whoever understands” and implores mankind not to love cherish and care for its collective freedom “…let a rose die out/if the stem breaks/put it into water/…if you frame it/in your heart/you will always remember it.”

References:
Obiechina, Emmanuel N. Language and Theme: Essays on African Literature p.213
Azuonye, Nnamdi O. “On the way to find myself.” Paradigm City and other poems p.68
Azuonye, Nnamdi O “Some Say Life” Paradigm City and other poems  p.45
Azuonye, Nnamdi O “Deadlines Meet a Feathery Knight” Life With So Short A Memory p.9
Azuonye, Nnamdi O “Fear” Life With So Short A Memory p.10
Azuonye, Nnamdi O “I Wish I Could Fly High” Paradigm City and other poems  p.4
Azuonye, Nnamdi O “Living in Both Worlds” Paradigm City and other poems  p.15
Azuonye, Nnamdi O “Paradigm City” Paradigm City and other poems  p.3
Azuonye, Nnamdi O “The Sight I Will Never See” Paradigm City and other poems  p.48
Azuonye, Nnamdi O “Pride Like A Brown Eagle” Life With So Short A Memory p.12
Azuonye, Nnamdi O “This poem is for whoever understands” Paradigm City and other poems  p.47

Bibliography
Obiechina Emmanuel N. “Language and Theme: Essays on African Literature”
Howard Univ Press; (1990)
Azuonye, Nnamdi O. “Paradigm City and other poems”
Nsibidi Africana Publishers (2002)
Azuonye, Nnamdi O. “Life With So Short A Memory”
Nsibidi Africana Publishers (2002)