Reviewer : Adeola Opeyemi
In ‘Arrows of Joy,’ Muyiwa Adeola Babayomi offers a thoughtfully crafted collection of poems that explores themes of hope and culture through vivid imagery inspired by African heritage and mythology. Each poem invites readers on an introspective journey that weaves ancestral wisdom with modern-day reflections. Arrows of Joy forays into a spectrum of feelings that range from joy to sorrow but also incorporates rich cultural elements.
Babayomi uses natural imagery extensively to explore human emotions, as seen in poems like ‘The touch of August’ and ‘Sunset’. The collection navigates a complex array of emotions, consistently highlighting the interplay between joy, sorrow, hope, and despair. Stylistic devices such as imagery, metaphors, and similes deepen the emotional range and appeal of the poems. Cultural influences, particularly from Yoruba culture, play a significant role in shaping the themes and expressions in Babayomi’s arrows of Joy.
In “Home of the Rising Sun,” Babayomi honours Africa’s cultural legacy. He emphasizes the continent’s historical pride and resilience. He speaks directly to African heritage, using the name Alkebulan to evoke a strong connection to his own cultural identity. With “Museum of Hope,” Babayomi reflects on faith as an unseen force of existence that helps sustain joy and optimism through challenges. The imagery in “Thunderclouds” and “Miracles” explores how ancestral knowledge and spiritual beliefs remain central to the African experience.
In ‘The trees’, Babayomi draws a parallel between the seasonal shedding of leaves and human vulnerability. He also atypically presents ‘Sunset’ as a backdrop for introspection and closure – a moment of contemplation, where the day’s end brings with it a reflection on personal growth and the passage of time. He skilfully navigates the complex oscillations between joy and sorrow in his collection ‘Arrows of Joy’, and in the process, evokes an indelible imprint on the reader’s mind as they attempt to unravel the meaning and deep cultural connotations beneath each line and stanza.
The poems “Tender Touch” and “A Bridge to Mend” express a longing for connection and highlight how humanity finds solace in faith, community, and the wisdom passed down through generations. This blend of universal themes makes Arrows of Joy engaging to a global audience. “Bloom” reflects on nature’s cycles, as black leaves and flowers about to bloom evoke the potential for rebirth and growth. These natural metaphors convey a sense of rootedness in African cultural landscapes.
In this collection, Babayomi masterfully engages the medium of poetry to guide readers through a journey of emotional and cultural discovery. The depth and intensity of feelings captured in his verses would often lead to an introspective deep search and necessitates several pauses in between readings for proper assimilation.
Similes are a staple in Babayomi’s poetic arsenal. He consistently draws comparisons that illuminate his themes. A list of common similes used includes:
‘As quiet as the night’
‘Like a stormy sea’
‘As hopeful as the dawn’
The commitment to rhythmic flows in Arrows of Joy, bears semblance to his work as a song composer for traditional plays. It pleases the ear to sing his written poems aloud but more importantly, it accompanies the deep cultural themes in Babayomi’s body of work. “Arrows of Joy” is deeply rooted in his understanding of the Yoruba culture, which permeates through his thematic choices and poetic expressions. The use of Yoruba folklore, proverbs, and traditional symbols not only enriches his poetry but also offers a lens through which global readers can view and understand the Yoruba worldview.
Babayomi’s work often grapples with existential themes, such as joy, suffering, and the human condition. His poems invite readers to reflect on their own lives and the broader philosophical questions that govern our existence. This introspective approach is a hallmark of his literary style, which has successfully engaged the reader with the text. The interplay between culture and expressions in Babayomi’s poetry highlights how deeply our cultural background can influence our expeditions. This connection is evident in the way he intertwines almost every featured theme with an adjacent cultural reference that deepen the roots of African identity and community that the book consistently heralds.
Muyiwa Adeola Babayomi skilfully uses elements of nature to build complex characters in ‘Arrows of Joy’. By attributing natural traits to his characters, he enhances their relatability and depth. For instance, He described characters using words such as “the resilience of an oak” or “the gentleness of a breeze”, which subtly informs the reader about inanimate personalities that could add gravitas to his multi-layered inferences to our interaction with nature and culture. As the poems progress, so does the complexity of the characters. Babayomi employs personification extensively to bring his poetic narratives to life. This technique not only animates the natural world around the characters but also deepens the emotional impact of the narrative.
Muyiwa Adeola Babayomi’s ‘Arrows of Joy’ invites readers to journey into their own emotional reservoirs and allow for a deep personal connection with the themes explored. In ‘Arrows of Joy’, the reader is not a passive observer but an active participant. The engagement with the text creates a dynamic interaction where the reader’s emotional response can affect their perception of the poems in “Arrows of Joy”, hence making each reading a unique experience.