Lamentations
A collection of poetry
by
Book Cover & Preview Text
Unburdened by possessions
Unbound by greed
Unruffled by threats
I travel light
Chose to light the path
Chose to be the light
Chose to follow the light
I travel light
I travel light
To follow the Light
The light of Christ.
Introduction
This alas, is not the work of a great poet. It is not even that of someone with an eloquent command of the English prose. In the words of CS Lewis, “I write for the unlearned about things in which I am unlearned myself”. My excuse for writing this is to illuminate the journey I have been on with the distinct hope that it might help another traveler somewhere and in another place to make sense of what is a voyage we must all make. In any case, this is therapy for me – the unburdening of my innermost thoughts and frustrations – in order that I may move on.
Lamentations is a collection of poems I have written using different styles, cobbled together after studying great poetic works by different masters of this genre. You might notice me paying homage to some of the greatest poetic works of our time – either in style, form or reference. A complete list of the poems is listed in the bibliography.
Of course I added my own touch. Poetry, as an art form, uses aesthetic and rhythmic qualities of language to evoke meaning. Music has played a key role in putting me in the right frame of mind to write these poems and a comprehensive list of these inspiring sounds is listed in the discography.
The poems in this book are organised in a deliberative sequence but may be enjoyed, devoured or even masticated in a random manner without (hopefully) discombobulating the reader.
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About the Book
In this book, Kazeem Olalekan uses the universal language of poetry to describe a life journey. He draws inspiration from great poetic works to illuminate his journey and in his words: '..help another traveler somewhere and in another place to make sense of what is a voyage we must all make'.
Lamentations draws on the oral traditions of the Yoruba language and infuse it with the best of the world's poetic outputs to produce a book set to take readers on a journey of passion, exhilaration, sadness and reflection - all set within a musical framework.
This book has had a cathartic effect on the author and reflects on the complexity of perception and of the power of God.
About the Author
Kazeem Olalekan was born in Nigeria and moved to the United Kingdom in 1991, where he did his 'A' Levels, studied pharmacy at the University of Sunderland and masters in business information technology at the Newcastle Business School. Kazeem now lives in Southampton and draws on a range of life experiences in his writing. His first published work: 'The Doctrine of Universal Truths' is a reflection on his dramatic life trajectory.
Kazeem is a specialist paediatric pharmacist at the University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust. He has a range of work in the pipeline including: 'Saving Time', 'The Evangelist' and 'A Social Experiment - An Open Letter to Americans'
His objective is to inspire as well as entertain readers. In some cases, inviting them into his world and demonstrating that 'nothing is impossible, if you are willing' - nil volentibus arduum.