Nigerian poet Olomo Alexander has published his debut poetry collection, "Nature Is In Everything," a 58-page book that explores the beauty of nature. The book, published by Winepress/Noirledge, features poems that celebrate the natural world, from the songs of birds to the vastness of the sky. Alexander's poetry invites readers to appreciate the abundance of beautiful things in nature. His work has been praised for its vivid imagery and powerful storytelling. The book is available with ISBN 978-978-60718-3-1.
In his poem "What Is Nature?", Alexander responds passionately to the question of nature and its values. He describes nature as comprising many things, including the sun, moon, clouds, rainbow, sky, birds, trees, forest, waters, and soil. Through his use of repetition, Alexander foregrounds his love for nature, which is a central theme in his collection. His poetry creates a blissful world, occasioned by nature, that provides a fascinating and enchanting picture of the world. Alexander's work encourages readers to carry memories of nature with them despite life's challenges.
Alexander's poem "Yellow Wake" is another example of his poetic narratives that celebrate nature. In this poem, he paints vivid pictures of a world composed of beautiful experiences, from the opening of the day to the uniformed kids, and from mango trees to playful birds. His use of language is powerful, as seen in lines such as "This Sky, a homozygous twin to a school of uniformed kids" and "This Sky, also like a plain-white paper, waiting to be tattooed by the labour of a servile pencil." Alexander's poetry invites readers to witness quotidian events that shape our lives.
Alexander's poetic lens also shifts to his grandma Juliana in one of his poems, offering a powerful reminder of the inevitability of ageing and the longing for the past. He describes his grandma's ageing breasts, relaxed muscles, and diminishing chewing stick, as well as her memories of childhood mornings of water-fetching exercises. This poem is a terrific gift to readers, offering a fleeting glimpse into life. Alexander's work connects readers to the world of nature, celebrating survival and hope in the face of destruction.
In another poem, "Raindrops," Alexander reflects on the power of nature through raindrops. He captures the urgency and quest for shelter necessitated by the arrival of rain. The poem reminds readers of the power of nature to excite and provoke, as seen in the chaos birthed by the arrival of the wind. Alexander's poem guides readers through the arrival of raindrops and the events that accompany it, using exquisite language to paint powerful activities occasioned by the rain.
Alexander's poetry has been praised for its imagistic world, which enables readers to enter into his room of sublime, familiar imagery. His capacity to create memories through poetic pictures is commendable. Throughout the collection, Alexander continues to connect readers to the world of nature, celebrating survival and hope in the face of destruction. His work is a testament to his love for nature and his ability to breathe life into his poetry.
The reviewer of Alexander's collection, Rasaq Malik Gbolahan, praises the poet's extraordinary ability to celebrate nature. Alexander's debut collection is a significant contribution to Nigerian literature, and his poetry is sure to resonate with readers. With its vivid imagery and powerful storytelling, "Nature Is In Everything" is a must-read for anyone who appreciates the beauty of nature.
Key points
- Alexander's poetry invites readers to appreciate the abundance of beautiful things in nature.
- The collection features poems that celebrate the natural world, from the songs of birds to the vastness of the sky.
- Alexander's use of repetition and imagery creates a blissful world, occasioned by nature, that provides a fascinating and enchanting picture of the world.
