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Book Review of S\HE.IS.LIFE By Olanrewaju Oranyeli

2/6/2018

6 Comments

 
Picture
Title: S\HE.IS.LIFE
Genre: Poetry
Author: Olanrewaju Oranyeli
Number of Pages: 133
Date of Publication: May 21, 2018
Publisher: ​Createspace
Reviewer: Oyindamola Shoola
 
In S\HE.IS.LIFE Olanrewaju Oranyeli explores various themes within the context of ‘life.’ He manages this approach to book writing in a way that is not burdensome for a reader unlike in many mono-themed books that I have read.
 
Throughout S\HE.IS.LIFE Lanre writes with a type of wisdom that does not spare a reader from self-reflection. His words explore diverse topics and allow us to be more aware of our human limitations. In the second stanza of a poem titled Ways on page 45, Lanre writes,

No matter
how much
you keep track
of time
it forgets you
in its race

 
Compared to Lanre’s first book “Caricature of Colors” the style of writing as well as the use of punctuation is different. The poems in S\HE.IS.LIFE are shorter and without full stops or periods. I think this provides an overall and deeper meaning to this concept of life that Lanre discusses. The length of the poems signify that human existence on earth is short, and in many verses, Lanre emphasizes having a good quality of living. Additionally, the lack of punctuation, especially full stops or periods gives the message that life’s eternity is beyond man’s control.

​
S\HE.IS.LIFE also arouses a reader’s consciousness and allows them to be aware of other people’s experiences. For example, you’ll find poems that subtly highlights the consequences of emigrating from African countries.
 
Growing up in Nigeria, I was never concerned about things like race, names, or even accents. I was never ‘black’ or ‘African’ the same way I am now, upon immigrating to America. I did not have extensive conversations about my name when I was in Nigeria; neither was my accent, something unusual or exotic. Upon immigrating, my identity changed and I quickly learned that every time I introduce myself with my first name, I would have to repeat it, more slowly and gently like it were an egg being delivered into foreign palms. Even with a phonetic guide that goes like this; “Oh-Yeen-Dah-Mor-La,” the name still ends up sounding less of itself, to me. I have also developed an immunity to finding beauty in my name on foreign tongues, so I tell people it doesn’t matter so that the actual conversations can go on.
 
In a poem titled Olanrewaju, on page 5, Lanre writes,
 
My name is coarse
like salt and too long
for your mannered tongue
to pronounce

 
but I am a country, a history of many tribes
stretched out on this dark road on my skin

 
Upon reading this poem, I felt a sense of happiness that someone could communicate my mind in few words, regarding this topic. Although I am happy, sometimes, I feel like an ingrate for complaining because I have seen many Asian peers who completely disregard their real names and select a simple English name, that the ‘mannered tongues’ can swallow easily.
In some poems, Lanre writes about love and its virtues, one of which is patience. Lanre’s use of metaphors and imageries, in S\HE.IS.LIFE to build momentum for the big message at the end of his poems. On page 72, in a poem titled Water, Lanre writes,

I find solace
in how water
stretches itself
 
into places, it doesn’t belong
until it finds where it’s needed
 
so my love will find you
before this time expires

 
This poem also reminds me very much of a friend who always says: “what is mine is mine” whenever she is expectant of something but is entirely patient in waiting.
Above all in S\HE.IS.LIFE, I am very impressed by how Lanre is an author of his own experiences, through the way he creates them. He is also skillful in recycling these experiences to become art.
 
For many who follow Lanre on Instagram, you will see that recently, Lanre started hiking and he has been posting pictures, sometimes, of animals, he encounters on his trail. Notably and very recently, he posted a picture of him holding a snake, and I remember my reaction to this picture, which I think would be similar to many responses that he received.
 
In a poem on page 31, titled Creepy Crawlies, Lanre writes;
 
I touched a snake
and many said
it made their skin crawl
but what is more creepier
than touching the hearts
of men every day
without knowing what
I may have reached into
Whenever I tried
 

I find it highly impressive when writers can draw inspiration and create poems out of responses. S\HE.IS.LIFE speaks volume to writers, and it makes them realize that when you and your life becomes inspiring, the idea of “writers’ block” is just dust that you need to blow off your desk. S\HE.IS.LIFE reflects Lanre’s realities and allows everyone to learn from it and gain wisdom to become better.
Click to Purchase
6 Comments
Sokuma Theophilus Mshelia
18/6/2018 03:00:00 pm

My favorite poems are poems about life. I just love them. The way the words make me self reflect and atimes sends shivers through my whole body or bring smile to my dad face. Poetry is mining. Poetry is self expression at its finest.

Reply
Opone Esther link
19/6/2018 01:35:08 pm

That last poem just hit me gbam! It's amazing how people's life experiences can inspire and challenge others, but I don't completely agree with your point on writer's block. Sometimes we have things to write about our lives that could be inspiring, ideas and all, but sometimes the fear of putting it out there or not knowing how to, causes an hindrance. But then, that's my own thought on this... In all, this is a beautiful piece. I guess I'm putting this on my list.

Reply
Zaynab link
21/6/2018 12:58:08 am

Poetry is life. The review makes me want to snag off and read the book immediately. I especially like the way he described his name Olanrewaju...
"I am a country, a history of many tribes
stretched out on this dark road on my skin." I also enjoy the way his poems touches on life. All in all, it really seems like a collection of interesting words woven to tell a conscious story. I hope to read soon!!

Reply
ABUBAKRE AYOOLA
23/6/2018 08:20:45 am

If am asked what exceptional thing poetry thought me, It's believing or sticking to your own style and inspiration of writing.
Let the words find you..

Reply
Damilola Afolayan
24/6/2018 08:23:31 pm

Lanre's sources of inspiration is really inspiring. He makes life a reason to put his pen down. He is such a natural human with the humane attributes of withholding to nature. My best muse so far is "heartbreak" which gives me every moment of putting words together into writing and coupled with the fact that I'm a music freak. They inspire my hands to pen down my heart's crisis.

Reply
Onyekwelu Chiwenite Kingsley link
8/3/2020 02:45:39 am

Olanrewaju's poems have a way of inducing strong effects on one's heart. It could be his style of writing. I don't know how poems could be so short, and yet so amazingly beautiful. I admire his construction; how he's able to tell the African story in it's wholeness. For me, there is no doubt about his understanding of race and identity and human relationships. Olanrewaju's works show it all.

If there is anything to point out, however, it is the subtle anger in his tone. One could notice how much he generalized the whites, if one looks more closely. All the same, the poems are really awesome. Even the reviewer did so well. This is the kind of work I will always come back to read again.

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