Wole Soyinka and
Other Poems
is the much-awaited collection of poems from Dr Kemi Atanda Ilori.
Ilori
studied at the University of Ife in Nigeria (now Obafemi Awolowo University,
Ile-Ife) and then in the United Kingdom at Leeds, Sheffield and Bradford, where
he gained degrees in Drama, Literature and Housing.
He
lectured from 1983 to 1990 at the University of Ife, where most of his early
poems were published in Sokoti, Ijala and ISALA. The University published his Voices of The Hurricane in its
monograph series in 1983. The Association of Nigerian Authors published his Amnesty in 1988.
Ilori's
poetry combines the lyricism of oral performance with the elegance of
postmodern diction. He focuses relentlessly on the postcolonial challenges
facing Nigeria - the raw politics, the rough justice and the rueful military
and civilian administrations. In-between the harsh imagery of corruption and
injustice, Ilori finds quality space for hope and redemption, love and
laughter, often in a tender self-critical manner. This collection shows Ilori
as an adept craftsman whose words sculpt Nigeria's postcolonial humdrum blues
into something both vivid and engrossing. Several of the poems are either
tributes to Wole Soyinka for his fearless activism, or intuitive commentaries
on Soyinka's themes.
Ilori
moved to the United Kingdom in 1990 and found a new career in Housing in 1993.
He rose through the ranks and became the Director of Housing Services with
Manningham Housing Association in Bradford in 2002, a post he held until 2011.
He has been the Pastor of Living Hope Church since its inception, first in
Nigeria and, latterly, in the UK.
In
addition to poetry, Ilori has published essays on Nigerian drama and theatre. He
is currently developing research towards a book on the theatre of Wole Soyinka.
Wole Soyinka and
Other Poems
is published by Universal Books UK and out at retail outlets and online from Friday
4th July, 2014 in celebration of Wole Soyinka’s 80th
birthday on 13th July, 2014. For this and future titles from
Universal Books UK, visit www.universalbooksuk.org.
If you wish to publish with Universal Books UK, please visit www.universalbooksuk.co.uk.
Here
is an excerpt from the collection:
FOR WOLE SOYINKA
(Our own WS)
In
vain, so far, the quill’s quintessence
Your
mount of scrolls on the stools of state
Your
wanton tools whet on their marked pumice
At
once the sentinel of their conscience
Men
armoured in carapace of Night
Yet
dance upon caryatids, foil dusk in funeral parlours
Sculpt
your earth into maidens of rust, spread their skirts
In
charnel rooms as refugees from light
In
vain you invade their clandestine catacombs
Their
eyes have long disappeared into the holes in the road
Their
sceptic ears loaned to mourners abroad
Return
in aid-boats loaded with septic honeycombs...
(To read more, visit www.universalbooksuk.org.)
