Tanure Ojaide Headlines ANA Lagos Monthly Reading Today

Praise for Adult Love

“Ojaide captures those little things—picking fruits, frightening sounds from treetops associated with spirits, his mother’s enticing meals, the priestess who drank only rainwater, parents’ fears of jealous relatives and neighbors casting spells on their children—all subjects of beautiful poetry in Adult Love. The poet rekindles memories of the joys of fishing and rubber tapping, amongst others, a commonwealth depicted in imagery-laden poetry. These memories emphasize the peace and satisfaction of the past and insecurity of the moment. This largely comes with politics which is not left out of the ruins in the lives of people from the villages to growing townships. The poet also reminds us of many in the caste of wordsmiths who withdraw into ethnic bunkers and support corrupt politicians and still write revolutionary songs. The trees in the poems are indeed human. They speak to me, enliven and expand the environment. Their destruction diminishes the total environment, even the hope the recurrent visit of the falcon brings.”

—Vicky Mnguember Sylvester, Professor of Literary Studies, University of Abuja.