Clive Dube Reflects on Love, Growth in Cherry Sweet Blossoms (2024)
Buhlebenkosi Nkomo
Love is rarely static, it shifts, fades, returns and transforms. That emotional movement lies at the centre of Clive Thabo Dube’s anthology Cherry Sweet Blossoms (2024), which explores love in its most fragile and defining moments.
Dube said the title draws on the symbolism of cherry blossoms to reflect both beauty and how quickly they fade. “Cherry blossoms bloom beautifully, but they don’t last forever. That mirrors how love can feel, intense, sweet and fleeting,” he said.
One of the most intimate poems in the collection, Love Sense, is described by Dube as an unfiltered expression of emotion. “I wrote without trying to impress. It captures a raw moment of love that was both overwhelming and honest,” he said.
Dube grew up in Filabusi in Matabeleland South and said his background still influences his writing today. He began writing poetry at Nketa High School and later studied Media and Cultural Studies, which helped him learn more about storytelling and communication.
Reflecting on his development since publishing the anthology, Dube said his writing has become more intentional and structured. “I’m now more intentional with my language and structure. I want the poems to be accessible, but also layered enough to invite deeper reflection,” he said.
While Cherry Sweet Blossoms focuses on the softer side of love, Dube said future work may explore heavier emotional themes such as heartbreak, healing and self-discovery. He described the anthology as capturing a specific stage in his creative journey.
His publisher Samantha Nunu said the manuscript stood out early for its clarity and discipline. “The diction and layout immediately stood out. There’s a natural rhythm and flow, and the poet does not overexpress his points. The pieces are clean,” she said.
Nunu said the book offers a calm, immersive reading experience. “It explores how love heals, brings joy and creates moments of vulnerability. It reflects the transformative power of love,” she said, adding that its balance between emotional depth and readability is a key strength.
Across the collection, Dube uses recurring natural imagery including seasons, petals, rain and light to signal emotional shifts, while leaving space for interpretation.
“Sometimes what is left unsaid carries more weight than what is written,” he said.
Dube said social media has changed how poetry is shared and consumed, making it more visible but also faster paced with less time for reflection. He said this contrasts with the reflective tone he aims to achieve in Cherry Sweet Blossoms.
“Poetry is now competing with fast content, but its value is still in slowing people down,” he said. “Even in a digital space, it should still make people pause, not scroll past.”
He said writers must avoid focusing on popularity over meaning, stressing that restraint and depth central to his anthology should also guide how poetry is shared online. “The danger is writing for likes instead of meaning,” he said.
Dube also pointed to challenges in Zimbabwe’s literary space, including limited access to publishing opportunities and mentorship for emerging writers. “Many talented writers lack platforms and resources. There is a need for more support and for more voices to be recognised,” he said.
