Piazza of Poets (3) My Commentary

Wole Soyinka, Nobel Laureate

Traveller, you must set out
At dawn. And wipe your feet upon
The dog-nose wetness of the earth.
Let sunrise quench your lamps. And watch
Faint brush pricklings in the sky light
Cottoned feet to break the early earthworm
On the hoe. Now shadows stretch with sap
Not twilight’s death and sad prostration.

From “Death at Dawn,” poem by Wole Soyinka

Oh, Nobel Laureate, this sonnet is for you –

          Expansive when the road is stretching far,

Contracting when it punctuates a point of view.

          Your traveler of dawn is who we are –

From birth, as children setting forth, and growing with

          Each tick of every minute of the day.

I do not know, but I can sense Nigerian myth

          Of hoe and trumpet, cock and earthen way.

Along our journey, bustling markets here and there,   

          Death does occur, as much a part of life

As life itself, and we progress with women’s care

          Of warmth at home, as sister, mother, wife. 

Dear gentleman, of captivating hair and beard,

Forever live with us, wherever words are geared.  

Piazza of Poets, Part 3. My Commentary © Ron Villejo

On attending a poetry soirée at the Madinat Jumeirah Theatre, during the Dubai International Poetry Festival (2009)