Rodgers Ogada is a gifted poet. His approach to societal issues and craftmanship are worthwhile. A feat seen only in artists who are serious with and know how best to do what they do. His poetry is primarily immersed in the societal systems, structures and classes; and their effects on entities operating under them. Moreover, his command of language and vast understanding of human experiences-- which is the main concern of poetry-- offers his poetry relevance, clarity and easy access.
REVIEW:
The poem 'Kites from Diapers' is an account of a prisoner's experience in prison. He shares a cell with two friends, Ayienga and Mutua (stanza1 &7). Of the two, Ayienga is the most troublesome.
In stanza1, the speaker says that Ayienga plans to make a kite from the roll of diapers in their cell (line 1). He has extracted strings from the edges of his blankets for the purpose (line 3&4). After making the kite, the speaker says, Ayienga is going to squeeze it through the window (to fly outside perhaps), line 6.
Breaching prison regularities and virtues (solecism) is the order of the day in prison cells. (stanza2, line1). This is evident in Ayienga's activities. The speaker fears this; due to askaris' (wardens') brutality. He is scared, should Ayienga's activities be discovered, they would be in trouble. Moreover, he does not want to be an excuse (alibi), line 4-- to be blamed on Ayienga's behalf. He says he only wants to finish his term. (line 6).
Further, Ayienga draws caricatures on walls of the cell. (stanza3, line2&3) with the metal he has twisted off his bed-mesh. And his carictures taunt restraints in the cell (fetters) (line 3). Sometimes, late in the day, the speaker says that Ayienga narrates how his (or their) comrade was shot at the Freedom Square when he was arrested and his gun disassembled (line 3, 4&5). This tells us that Ayienga could probably be a freedom fighter or activist. Thence he is a political prisoner.
In stanza4, we are told that he had received a letter from his girlfriend threatening to end (squelch) their relationship. (line 1&2). He weeps (line 3). He had been confused, thus disposing it off (inebriation) (line 5) and cursed her orgasms-- she exihibited while with him before (line 6).
For the time they have been together (they were separated yesterday), the speaker says Ayienga complains alot while asleep. This is a nuisance to other inmates (stanza5, line2). He laments how rehabs (institutions or people) mishandle him (line3). He is not joining them at the workshop (line4); for the seats they make (he opines) would only cushion stench of users and enrich constables (by selling) as well (line5&6).
In stanza6, the speaker is disturbed by bugs (line1). A gesture of filthy prison conditions. Ayienga was taken away (yesterday) because of making the kite (line2).
In stanza7, the speaker talks about his cellmate, Mutua. He had been a dedicated practitioner at Nyayo (hospital perhaps) (line1). But working with scapels is scary; he has refused to go back, saying things are better in the cell (line2,3,4). When his friends are asleep, there is solitude. Radios and Tvs outside have dissected throats-- there is little or no noise (line6).
MY STANDPOINTS:
In this poem, Ogada captures the reality of what transpires in prison cells. Wardens are brutal (stanza2, line2) and inmates are worked up (exploited) to enrich the authorities in the pretext of rehabilitation. Moreover, he successfully presents the contrast between the life in chains and being free, as for the case of Mutua.
However, the title of the poem seems not to encompass the whole experience. It seems odd, miserly and therefore, irrelevant. A kite is a light frame covered with some thin material to be flown in the wind; Diapers are simply pieces of cloth or absorbent material folded and worn as underpants by a baby not yet toilet-trained.
So relating 'kites from diapers' to what the speaker and other inmates experience is very limiting. Perhaps a different title would do.
Signed:
Lirango Lienjofu
[Thigh of an Elephant]
The poem 'Kites from Diapers' is an account of a prisoner's experience in prison. He shares a cell with two friends, Ayienga and Mutua (stanza1 &7). Of the two, Ayienga is the most troublesome.
In stanza1, the speaker says that Ayienga plans to make a kite from the roll of diapers in their cell (line 1). He has extracted strings from the edges of his blankets for the purpose (line 3&4). After making the kite, the speaker says, Ayienga is going to squeeze it through the window (to fly outside perhaps), line 6.
Breaching prison regularities and virtues (solecism) is the order of the day in prison cells. (stanza2, line1). This is evident in Ayienga's activities. The speaker fears this; due to askaris' (wardens') brutality. He is scared, should Ayienga's activities be discovered, they would be in trouble. Moreover, he does not want to be an excuse (alibi), line 4-- to be blamed on Ayienga's behalf. He says he only wants to finish his term. (line 6).
Further, Ayienga draws caricatures on walls of the cell. (stanza3, line2&3) with the metal he has twisted off his bed-mesh. And his carictures taunt restraints in the cell (fetters) (line 3). Sometimes, late in the day, the speaker says that Ayienga narrates how his (or their) comrade was shot at the Freedom Square when he was arrested and his gun disassembled (line 3, 4&5). This tells us that Ayienga could probably be a freedom fighter or activist. Thence he is a political prisoner.
In stanza4, we are told that he had received a letter from his girlfriend threatening to end (squelch) their relationship. (line 1&2). He weeps (line 3). He had been confused, thus disposing it off (inebriation) (line 5) and cursed her orgasms-- she exihibited while with him before (line 6).
For the time they have been together (they were separated yesterday), the speaker says Ayienga complains alot while asleep. This is a nuisance to other inmates (stanza5, line2). He laments how rehabs (institutions or people) mishandle him (line3). He is not joining them at the workshop (line4); for the seats they make (he opines) would only cushion stench of users and enrich constables (by selling) as well (line5&6).
In stanza6, the speaker is disturbed by bugs (line1). A gesture of filthy prison conditions. Ayienga was taken away (yesterday) because of making the kite (line2).
In stanza7, the speaker talks about his cellmate, Mutua. He had been a dedicated practitioner at Nyayo (hospital perhaps) (line1). But working with scapels is scary; he has refused to go back, saying things are better in the cell (line2,3,4). When his friends are asleep, there is solitude. Radios and Tvs outside have dissected throats-- there is little or no noise (line6).
MY STANDPOINTS:
In this poem, Ogada captures the reality of what transpires in prison cells. Wardens are brutal (stanza2, line2) and inmates are worked up (exploited) to enrich the authorities in the pretext of rehabilitation. Moreover, he successfully presents the contrast between the life in chains and being free, as for the case of Mutua.
However, the title of the poem seems not to encompass the whole experience. It seems odd, miserly and therefore, irrelevant. A kite is a light frame covered with some thin material to be flown in the wind; Diapers are simply pieces of cloth or absorbent material folded and worn as underpants by a baby not yet toilet-trained.
So relating 'kites from diapers' to what the speaker and other inmates experience is very limiting. Perhaps a different title would do.
Signed:
Lirango Lienjofu
[Thigh of an Elephant]
