Oghenenyore’s poems approach you with sincerity. I believe this to be the primary tool he applies to his writing. There is no vain desire to wrap these stories in endless twists. The philosophies are not at risk of drowning in a pool of metaphors. His words are naked, alluring, and you just can’t help but dig in.
The central theme of the collection is Depression. Thing is, a lot of poets write about depression these days. It’s almost like the hottest topic out there. So why read this one, you might ask? The answer to this can be found in the author’s note.
“I have never feared death, but being depressed is something I’ve had to grapple with all my life. Since 2009, I have romanced death and its thought overwhelmingly. Sometimes, I feel I will drop dead while crossing the road. I feel like giving up, giving up the ghost every day.”
This is not just a firsthand account, it’s a whole lot of experience. It’s over 12 years of living with depression. If there are people you should read their views and deductions on this subject, Oletu Oghenenyore definitely should be one of them.
The journey begins with ‘A Rose That Will Never Be.’ Shows just how well we mask our darkness with smiles and poetry. We project roses and beauty for all to see. But in the end, we fail to become the images we wear. Reality is a lot more faded. More pale. Less rosy.
It is, however, not a mistake that the final pieces of this collection are poems of hope. He ends by saying “I will write again,” over and over. It’s that sincerity again. The simplicity of it. “Yes, I will write again.” The brevity, yet it weighs so much. You find that this is not a dirge, after all. It is not a bowl of sadness.
In the words of Jaachị Anyatọnwụ, Founding Editor at Poemify Publishers, “You will see when you have read it that it will call your name in an experience shared, saying, “hey, I’ve been there, and I’ve felt that. Don’t give in yet.”
This is what ‘Life in the Crucible ‘ is—an assurance of community and togetherness. A song of hope.
I knew, at first read, that I wanted to be a part of this project. I have always believed in the need for people to speak up on mental health issues, as well as the beauty of poetry.
-Tochukwu Precious Eze
Director of Publishing, Direwords
Click here to get your copy of this book for free.
