Book Review
Oseloka Obaze*
Saturday
16 October 2010
Flame of Freedom
Nkem Ekeopara
(ISBN-978-8143-16-4): El ‘Demak Publishers, Enugu, Nigeria, 2008, 40pp, Price
$10.00; N1500
Available at: fansil72@yahoo.com
This
review, I must state from the outset, is rather belated but nonetheless a
necessary and important one. Nkem Ekeopara’s
Flame of Freedom, published in 2008,
deserves being presented to readers in far-flung places.
While Henry Wadsworth Longfellow once observed that “many a poem is
marred by a superfluous verse,” that fate is one not suffered by
Flame of Freedom.
Poetry in any
form -- be it an ode, lamentation, limerick, or elegy – tells a million tales in
bits but embracing stanzas. They
offer deep insights into the soul of the writer and into events and deep-seated
emotions to which he alone may be privy.
Flame of Freedom does just that with the thirty-seven poems in this
anthology.
Most of the
poems in this volume are implicit and unveil events and encounters most readers
can identify with. Of the lot, my favourites are “Not
yet a farewell,” a two-stanza tribute to Chris Okigbo and “all our fallen
heroes,” which ended thus: “We are still waiting, to roll out our earthen pots
and receive you in springs.”
The other, is also a two-stanza poem
titled, “Realism.”
It opens lithely but admonishingly,
“Say not the worse is seen, till the worst met…”
and ends optimistically with the exhortation,
“But pray as always, and work hard as ever… as life rolls on.”
These catchphrases may seem more
symbolic than significant, but the essence of poetry is to transport the reader
through space to unacquainted places and events or still to get the reader to
identify or rationalize events and subjects, in the end relating or submersing
oneself in them. At other times, poems prompt a total recall.
In the
political context of his home country, and his times, Ekeopara’s “Eulogy
of the Pen” evokes reminiscences of views and actions expressed by many
writers, who during various military interregnums felt muzzled and constricted.
Many were, as we know, incarcerated rather unjustly. How else and against what
could the pen, “A weapon of fates, simple and small, but pointed and powerful”
be so dominant, than in a culture of oppression, and muscular misuse of the gun,
which replaced the symbolic sword? Against the probable staccato of guns,
Ekeopara envisions a “Weapon working in silence” and “Changing our times and
condition…in the hands of diggers of truth.” Only those who have lived under
draconian regimes would appreciate this nostalgic foray fully. To my mind, this
poem content wise, proffers a closer nexus between wars of freedom and
unfettered freedom many seek, which happens to be the underpinning remit of this
volume.
Critics-at-large could say a whole lot in praise or criticisms of any literary
work. For this reviewer, the goal
as always, is to bring unknown works and authors to international attention and
to a broader readership audience, while pointing out – ever so mildly -- any
strength, weaknesses or peculiarities that might exist.
Still, I must
admit that in this instance, the work of this reviewer was made light by the
revealing assessment contained in the foreword, which cannot be glossed over.
As Professor Kalu Uka avers, “With this collection, Nkem Ekeopara belongs
in spirit, inspiration, direction, imagery and message in the hallowed tradition
extending from Christopher Okigbo to Kalu Uka.
It is a tradition in which Wole Soyinka has sown wisdom; Gabriel Okara
has sown rhythm and sense; in which Okogule Wonodi burst the pod of African oil
bean; Pol Ndu saw the ivory “ibory”
visions and Michael Echeruo met “Sophia”; a tradition in whose springs Odia
Ofeimun still drinks; and the echoes of Nigeria’s late and latest wars of
freedom resound to all corners of the globe.
Ekeopara has added to Nigeria’s growing fertile ground of artistic
rejuvenation of oral roots of that ancient traditions of “seers, performers and
legislators”, at once romantic, pragmatic, relevant and worthy in every line.”
Ekeopara’s
Flame of Freedom is spontaneous and
as a debut collection, very gratifying.
Flame of Freedom is a pithy but splendid anthology that resonates with
heartfelt emotions, enunciations, touching inspiration, and insights.
This slim anthology of sometimes introspective and melancholic poems is
enriching. Indeed, the volume presages great literary prospects for the author,
should he elect to devote his attention solely to poetry.
In prefacing
Flame of Freedom, poet and
playwright Professor Kalu Uka foretold Ekeopara’s éclat as an author and as he
unreservedly surmised, “This collection is, as Americans would say, a must
READ.” I concur on both counts.
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Mr. Oseloka Obaze
is a founding member of the
Kwenu.com Book Review Forum,
which is dedicated to the promotion of books with Igbo
and Afrocentric themes. He is also a supporting Member of the African Writers
Endowment (AWE). From 1999 to 2005, he served on the editorial board of
INYEAKA, the journal of Songhai Charities, Inc., a