this is an anthology written in the year 2013 by the 1997 winner of the ANA Poetry prize, Remi Raji. It is however a revised version of A Harvest of Laughters which first appeared originally in 1997. Remi Raji, on the reason for revising this anthology, said thus;
"...a book out of circulation soon becomes a roughly remembered document,
something akin to an archive full of hearsays and forgotten metaphors."
The poet's decision to revise this anthology therefore becomes a wise decision, especially the anthology's attempt to use laughter as a means of escape among humans. Laughter therefore becomes a mask used to hide one's true inner feelings. It is on this note that Remi-Raji asserts thus;
"In humanity, the rather unacknowledged mystery of laughter is its suprasegmental capability of knowing and expressing without recourse to metaphors."
As a whole, this anthology addresses the power of laughter and the forces that make this laughter almost impossible to corroborate.
Below are the analysis of some of the poems in this anthology:
INTROIT
The title of this poem already explains what it entails. The dictionary meaning of Introit is, an introduction that is sung before the main part of something. So this is to say, this poem is an introduction to the other poems, giving an insight to the anthology.
This is furtherly justified by the beginning of the poem which reads thus:
"I will spread my songs in a sunlight
of webs..."
The poet's intention is to express his innermost thoughts, represented with the use of songs. These thoughts however will be spread in a sunlight of webs, meaning they are inter-connected thoughts and just like the sunlight, they are of hope and brightness.
The poet progresses to assert that these songs won't be a tale of sick knights nor wilting metaphors of pain wrights. This is to say, the poet do not intend a song without hope and happiness. He intends to write not of pain, but of one with a positive outlook.
As a whole, this poem is only an introduction to the anthology, making readers acquinted with the poet's intention to write of hope and happiness, rather than pain.
Some of the devices employed include:
Run-on-lines: This device is employed throughout the poem. The poet's thoughts extend on the next lines.
Metaphor: "...the twilight tales of sick
knights"
"...the wilting metaphors of
pain-wrights"
"...lemon-smell of laughter"
I RISE NOW
The poem presents the situation in a particular setting. This situation is devastating and pathetic, where the victims suffer untold hardship. However, despite this condition, the poet personae rise above it all seeking refuge in laughter.
The first stanza presents the condition of the neighbouring lands, where they often hear of acid rain
In the second stanza, he describes how locusts often destroy their harvest tracks, causing severe damage and death.
This devastating condition explains why nobody seems to know how to smile again on Stanza 3. Even a grin is not seen on anyones's face.
The mist of blood now pervades the environment.
The poet draws readers attention to the muzzle-grip of hell, where mushrooms of hate grow. The love that once ruled the land has been invaded by hatred because of these news of acid rain and locust train. They have been robbed of their peace and joy
However, the poet personae rise above all these saying thus:
...I rise today
the memories of slaving rites
gone out my veins"
The poet personae has resolved not to allow these memories to linger, rather taking refuge in laughter as a means of escape. This laughter is however exxagerated with the use of ...long drums', to show that the laughter will be a long- lasting one, enough to slaughter a thousand dragon-dream of pains.
Laughter is addressed as a legacy of mask, showing its ability of hiding one's true feelings.
The poem therefore offers a solution to difficult situation, because there is always hope for the future.
Some of the literary devices found include:
Metaphor: "...news of acid rain"
"...the blighted clouds of a
locust train"
"...muzzle-grip of Hell"
"...mushroom of hate"
"...dragon-dreams of pain"
Personification: "...not even a grin colours
the face"
Anaphora: "In the wind
in the rash of times
in the bellies of lovers"
Hyperbole: "...long-drums of laughter"
Run-on-lines
BLACK LAUGHTER
"...a book out of circulation soon becomes a roughly remembered document,
something akin to an archive full of hearsays and forgotten metaphors."
The poet's decision to revise this anthology therefore becomes a wise decision, especially the anthology's attempt to use laughter as a means of escape among humans. Laughter therefore becomes a mask used to hide one's true inner feelings. It is on this note that Remi-Raji asserts thus;
"In humanity, the rather unacknowledged mystery of laughter is its suprasegmental capability of knowing and expressing without recourse to metaphors."
As a whole, this anthology addresses the power of laughter and the forces that make this laughter almost impossible to corroborate.
Below are the analysis of some of the poems in this anthology:
INTROIT
The title of this poem already explains what it entails. The dictionary meaning of Introit is, an introduction that is sung before the main part of something. So this is to say, this poem is an introduction to the other poems, giving an insight to the anthology.
This is furtherly justified by the beginning of the poem which reads thus:
"I will spread my songs in a sunlight
of webs..."
The poet's intention is to express his innermost thoughts, represented with the use of songs. These thoughts however will be spread in a sunlight of webs, meaning they are inter-connected thoughts and just like the sunlight, they are of hope and brightness.
The poet progresses to assert that these songs won't be a tale of sick knights nor wilting metaphors of pain wrights. This is to say, the poet do not intend a song without hope and happiness. He intends to write not of pain, but of one with a positive outlook.
As a whole, this poem is only an introduction to the anthology, making readers acquinted with the poet's intention to write of hope and happiness, rather than pain.
Some of the devices employed include:
Run-on-lines: This device is employed throughout the poem. The poet's thoughts extend on the next lines.
Metaphor: "...the twilight tales of sick
knights"
"...the wilting metaphors of
pain-wrights"
"...lemon-smell of laughter"
I RISE NOW
The poem presents the situation in a particular setting. This situation is devastating and pathetic, where the victims suffer untold hardship. However, despite this condition, the poet personae rise above it all seeking refuge in laughter.
The first stanza presents the condition of the neighbouring lands, where they often hear of acid rain
In the second stanza, he describes how locusts often destroy their harvest tracks, causing severe damage and death.
This devastating condition explains why nobody seems to know how to smile again on Stanza 3. Even a grin is not seen on anyones's face.
The mist of blood now pervades the environment.
The poet draws readers attention to the muzzle-grip of hell, where mushrooms of hate grow. The love that once ruled the land has been invaded by hatred because of these news of acid rain and locust train. They have been robbed of their peace and joy
However, the poet personae rise above all these saying thus:
...I rise today
the memories of slaving rites
gone out my veins"
The poet personae has resolved not to allow these memories to linger, rather taking refuge in laughter as a means of escape. This laughter is however exxagerated with the use of ...long drums', to show that the laughter will be a long- lasting one, enough to slaughter a thousand dragon-dream of pains.
Laughter is addressed as a legacy of mask, showing its ability of hiding one's true feelings.
The poem therefore offers a solution to difficult situation, because there is always hope for the future.
Some of the literary devices found include:
Metaphor: "...news of acid rain"
"...the blighted clouds of a
locust train"
"...muzzle-grip of Hell"
"...mushroom of hate"
"...dragon-dreams of pain"
Personification: "...not even a grin colours
the face"
Anaphora: "In the wind
in the rash of times
in the bellies of lovers"
Hyperbole: "...long-drums of laughter"
Run-on-lines
BLACK LAUGHTER
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