Summons is Tanzania’s first collection of poems written in English in Tanzania. Although Tanzania was under the British colonial rule, it is not a so-called “English speaking” country today. Kiswahili has become its predominant language in all spheres of communication, and most Tanzanian writers write exclusively in Kiswahili. Tanzanian Publishing House, while giving priority to writing in Kiswahili, does not discourage people who can write in foreign languages from doing so. Summons is an example of the potential which exists for writing in the English language. The poets in this collection are young people brought up in the ferment of the policy of Socialism and Self-Reliance. Their poetry is, therefore, as would be expected, about problems of building socialism. They are about the sufferings of imperialist exploitation, in alliance with its local agents including bureaucrats and dishonest leaders. They are about and against ideologies which mystify the vision people have of themselves and their lives. They are also about ordinary human questions and about poets searching for personal happiness and meaning in their lives. Summons has been approved by EMAC to be used as a set book for O Levels in Tanzania Secondary Schools.