A Nigerian Poet and Writer has written a debut collection of poems that would resonate far and wide. Abimbola Alaka’s collection of poems titled “The Things Father Did Not Teach Us” is a collection of poems for young people and this collection will stoke a chord of familiarity with many young people.
For my young people in this technological age, there are myriads of issues affecting our world, which seems too much for young people to navigate, which this collection aims to address.
The poem “The next time you feel like giving up” begins with a recognition of the problems that many young people face. It begins with the lines:
“Life is a mountain
Most give up climbing.
not you. not you.
the next time you feel like
giving up,
squeeze your fist tightly,
close your eyes,
and say:
Not today. Not tomorrow. Not ever.”
This is a poem that can serve as a mantra to many young people to help them navigate through the mountain that life can be. The poet admits that most give up climbing, however by charging the reader not you/ not you/ the poet is giving hope to young people who can feel overwhelmed by the tumultuous sea of life.
In another poem titled “Dear Self:” the persona speaking in this poem begins with powerful lines-
“you’re special
Discover your uniqueness early;”
For many young people, they need a constant reminder of their uniqueness to thrive in life and this is what the poet tried to achieve with the opening lines and the poem ends with the lines:
Find yourself/and when you do/love yourself/
The closing lines speak to young people on the journey to self-discovery to love themselves after they have discovered themselves. A great attribute of this collection of poems for young people is that the poems would also resonate with adults as much as the young. The poet wrote the poems in accessible language with themes that speak to all.
The last poem to critically analyse is titled “Prayers” and the second stanza begins thus:
“Darling,
I beg that your smiles never shrink;
that you have enough bones to never to give up;
that the odds always be in your favour;
and that you live a life full of love.”
This poem oozes strength, teaches perseverance, and love with a sprinkle of self-belief and confidence. The poet with the poem seeks a connection with the readers of this collection that she understands their pain and provides admonishment to sail through the storms.
What pure graciousness wearing the toga of poetry for young people. This collection of poems is a gem that should be in every library and on bookshelves.
Abimbola Alaka has started her poetry journey with a statement of intent and this collection of poems bears testament to that.