A Review of "To A Dying People" by Jerry King Nwobodo

Written by Oluwatoyin Jegede 

- I want to believe that the term "people" dominant in the piece actually means "trees" according to the poet. It is a sort of abstract concept which makes the poem two-dimensional on the ground of interpretation. The main dimension being "Nature of trees". The secondary dimension which is rather abstract (an abstraction I perceive the poet has rather given to the main dimension) is Nature of men.

Verse 1 explains why the poet chose the background! Yes, personifying the forest trees. In skies filled with white patches, even if it's wide.. He has done well with the first three lines in telling us about these 'trees'.

Verse 2: The fantastic nature of the wild. It's rather too romantic! Notice I am using verse. This reminds one of "dance in the rain" by a Nigerian singer. The majestic nature of the wild. At first, one can refer to the death of loved ones and how they have decayed into becoming trees standing side by side in the forest. Maybe that's why trees dance and the woods are horrific because we have some wicked persons turned into trees Yeah, quite metaphysical there.

Verse 3: The same thing, I think. The poet flourishes here with his line giving me no doubt that the trees indeed are of the wild!

Verse 4: Of course trees bear fruits and can be a source of habitation for living things too.

Conclusion
If one reads the poem (having decided to read "people" as "tree"),  one has the true perspective of the piece because one is in the gross dimension. The tangible! But if one just takes "people" as "people" as consecutively used in the poem one will have an abstract connection with the message. And at this stage, it takes quite a mental work to be fully engaged and to completely garner what's in the piece.

About Poet: Jerry King Nwobodo

Jerry King Nwobodo is a Nigerian writer, literary critic, poet, human rights and environmental activist.
He is the author of critically acclaimed book, 'Home of the Dead' and 'Mad Tributes', a catalog of poetry.
Jerry King also serves as the Founder/Edtor-in-Chief of TalkParlour.com and is the founder of tech firm, JKCom Group. He has published essays in various reputable international journals including YORDEL Africa's 'Impact and Change' magazine.

Weeping Jesica by Jerry King Nwobobodo - A Story of the Unjust Expulsion of Over One Million Ghanaians from Nigeria in 1983

'Weeping Jesica' by Jerry King Nwobodo explores the harrowing experiences of over one million Ghanaians who were cruelly expelled from Nigeria by the government of President Shehu Shagari in 1983.

It tells the story of Mama Mensa who died during the journey on board a ship name Jesica. Before Mama Mensa died she places a curse on Nigeria which the gods quickly grant.
Read full text of 'Weeping Jesica' by Jerry King Nwobodo

To A Dying People by Jerry King Nwobodo

TO A DYING PEOPLE

I see people standing high and flurry
Hairs dyed in green
They overlook the bluely horizon
In skies filled with wide patches of white.

I see people dancing shoulder to shoulder
To music whispers of the great beyond
They stay woke guarding the realm
Awake at day more attentive at night.

I see people stationed in sand
They are fastened to their ankles deep
Come tropic rains or arid shine
They remain observed at their greenly post.

I see people bearing fruit
Letting dwarfs steal their precious meat
Pregnant birds giving child in their flurry arms
Creeping things finding safety during rain.

I see giant people eaten and chewed
Burning and hewn in pieces and silenced
Sent to far lands for timber and fire
Colouring the land green and becoming giants again.

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Poem List: Mad Tributes by Jerry King Nwobodo

Poem List: Mad Tributes by Jerry King Nwobodo

MAD TRIBUTES BY

JERRY KING NWOBODO

List of Poems

1. A DYING PEOPLE

2. TIME TRAVELER

3. THE TEN FOOLS

4. A MAN OF REGRETS

5. HOLLOW OF WONDERS

6. THE RUSTY BABY

7. MIDNIGHT VISITORS

8. A DAY OF NO RETURN

9. TO THE BREAK OF DAWN

10. WHERE ARE YOU MY LOVE I

11. WHERE ARE YOU MY LOVE II

12. NAKED KING

13. PAIN FOR GAIN

14. TO THE DARK ONE.

15.TO THE OLD FIERY WHITE

16. TO THE LIMBLESS

17. SO MY SOUL WAITS

18. TO THE PREY

19. CRAZY CROWS

20.THE SEEING SEER

21. HAIL STUMP

22. MERRY BAND

23. FRUITY CREATURES

24. HEY OLD JERRY

25. MY NIGHT LADY

26. THE BEHOLDER

27. FEDERAL THEATRE

28. A VOICE OF HOPE

29. HEALING HEART

30. THE SIXTEENH

31. THE BLACK ZOO

32. MY BELOVED FRUIT

33. FADE

34. MR. S

Depression, Anger, Love and Grief Inspired Mad Tributes - Jerry King Nwobodo

Mad Tributes are a collection of poetry written by Nigerian contemporary poet, Jeremiah Onyedikachi (Jerry King)  Nwobodo.

Mad Tributes is divided into 10 series of 33 peorms each.

Interview with Jerry King Nwobodo

What inspired you to write "Mad Tributes"?

Oh. 'Mad Tributes' was inspired by many things. It is actually a long term project that spans about ten years. I stareted writing poetry as a teenager. So 'Mad Tributes' was inspired first by love. As a teenager I was fascinated by the feeling of love.

Other personal emotions like anger, depression, hate, etc contributed. As a long term work spanning ten years there are times an emotionional outburst will spur you to write some poetry.

Also, nature played a huge role because at a point in my life, I chose to see myself as a "Naturalist." I wonder at the wonders of nature and it's beauty.

Mad Tributes was also inspired by history. Yes. As a historian, I am fascinated by great kings, queens and kingdoms of the past. Great kings like Ceaser and Ptolemy and Queens Cleopatra and the likes greatly inspire me. Coming to contemporary times, issues of deforestation, poverty, corruption and bad leadership features in Mad Tributes.

Mad Tributes is basically a mirror of my honest opinion about the world. I could be right or wrong but that is how I feel and percieve things.