Debut poetry collection by Brandon University student hits shelves

Brandon University Students’ Union (BUSU) President Charles Adamu has added “published poet” to his growing list of achievements, with the release of his debut poetry collection, How You Feel. The book, available now through Amazon, was officially launched at a campus celebration in late September.

Adamu, who has been writing poetry for nearly a decade, set out this summer with a goal to self-publish. He took full ownership of the process, self-editing his work and collaborating with his roommate and friend, Maxwell Avwata, on the graphic design. The result is a deeply personal and wide-ranging collection that gathers poems written over the past seven years, reflecting the breadth of his life experience and artistic growth.

“Poetry has always been my first love,” Adamu said. “What I find powerful is that two people can read the same piece and come away with entirely different impressions, shaped by their own experiences. I’m not trying to give people answers, but rather a feeling, a perception.”

The book’s title, How You Feel, reflects this openness. Some poems are written for the page, while others lean toward spoken word, highlighting Adamu’s versatility as a writer. The launch event brought together students, faculty, and community members for an evening of poetry, storytelling, and connection — something Adamu describes as a “dream come true.”

Adamu’s creative pursuits extend beyond poetry. Over the summer, he also wrote a short film and has ambitions to continue exploring filmmaking. He credits experiences at BU, including the Life Is Wonderful production staged last year, with giving him the confidence to share his artistic voice more widely.

His artistic success comes on the heels of other recognition: last year, Adamu was named Outstanding International Student for Universities by the Manitoba Council for International Education (MCIE).

“Being able to bring this project into the world has been such a rewarding process,” Adamu said. “For my first collection, I wanted the full experience of doing it independently — everything from editing to design. It’s been challenging, but also empowering.”

Adamu hopes readers will connect with the collection in their own unique ways. He encourages supporters to share their thoughts in reviews, noting that feedback helps the book reach a wider audience.

How You Feel is available for purchase on Amazon.

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