Monday 8 September 2014

Poet Adura Ojo writes about breaking eggs. 'Life is a Woman Breaking Eggs' is here!

Hi everyone!

I have someone very interesting for you to meet today if you haven't already had the pleasure. I've known Adura Ojo since she first starting submitting her wonderful poetry to the prompts at RomanticFridayWriters, the precursor to Write...Edit...Publish (WEP). You will notice the amazing cover--that is the work of Kiru Taye, irrepressible author and artist, who also wrote for RFW.

I read recently that one way to improve our prose is to read poetry. I do. But I don't always understand it. However, Adura's poetry is accessible, even to me, after I read it through a few times. It can't be hurried.

I hope you will read Adura's post, read her poem, and consider buying her wonderful book of poetry which comes highly recommended by me.

Poetry and Me - Adura Ojo

Hi there. I am the author of 'Life is a Woman Breaking Eggs'. It gives me great pleasure to be featured on Denise's blog once again. We've been friends practically since the first day I identified myself as a writer and clicked away happily on my laptop.

My Life

I was born in London. My parents were studying in the UK at the time. When they were done, we moved back to Nigeria where I was raised with four siblings. My childhood was happy. I did my first degree, English Studies, in Nigeria and returned to the UK at age 21. Life can be tough as an 'immigrant.' Although I was born in the UK, my Nigerian identity and accent make me an 'immigrant' in the eyes of British society. I describe some of these experiences in the book.



Influences

Poetry and music are my muses when it comes to embracing life with all its joys and madness. I love Maya Angelou...a poet who lived in every sense of the word and taught the world so much. I'm also a fan of Warsan Shire, EE Cummings and Sylvia Plath. I write poetry as therapy. It is therapy like no other. I find that I can manage some of life's demons through poetic expression. A lot of 'Life is a Woman Breaking Eggs' is autobiographical; it is also reflective of the experiences of people I have been fortunate to meet on my journey and how their experiences have impacted on me.

How I Write

I'm an instinctive writer. I don't have a time slot, routine or ritual. I write mostly at night when it's quiet and there are no distractions. I'm a night owl so it's more productive to write at night.

Motivation

Poetry to me is an offering that's accessible to its readers. It's a great way to tell a story and to access emotions. I want non-poetry readers to read my work and feel that poetry isn't bad after all. That would be great!

'Window' is a poem from the book that I'd like to share with you. When I read 'Window' again this afternoon; I saw a completely different story to the one on my mind when I wrote it a few years ago. The power of interpretation is one of the things I love about poetry. I wonder what your interpretation would be?


Window

Looking over the window
pains the soul
desire dripping rain
going nowhere
eyes of unseen sun
eclipse of moons gone

I’m waiting for a windfall
spare me the tsunami tears
don’t you know
our eyes are closed to the world?


save your drowning swim
for cheap vodka
bought with our future

be happy, my love
our numbers came up
in silent breath
clear as glass

embrace the cardboard mirror
blowing kisses of hopelessness
at your Oscar worthy tsunami

no threading back
hope’s canvas
our shreds like hot coals
walk in light’s night

©Adura Ojo, Life is a Woman Breaking Eggs (2014)


Available in Kindle and Paperback.

Thanks for reading.

Like my author page
Follow me on Facebook
Follow me on Twitter
Follow me on 'Life is a Woman.'

Thank you, Denise, for your gift of friendship and for hosting me on your blog.

Adura, it's been wonderful reading this post. I wish you good health and happiness!

  • Do you read poetry? 
  • Who are your favourite poets? 
  • Has any specific poet influenced your life?
  • Do you like the sound of Adura's poetry?
WEP SEPTEMBER CHALLENGE - CHANGING FACES

Sign ups are open for the WEP September challenge. You are welcome to submit flash fiction, non-fiction, poetry, artwork, photos. Please join us.



Here is a sunflower for blogger Tina Downey who passed away recently. RIP Tina

.


88 comments:

Adura Ojo said...

Reading the post right now means an awful lot, Denise. Thank you for the honour.

Just to add that *Life* is available on Kindle Amazon in Australia, India, UK, USA, Brazil, Canada, Mexico and most of Europe. It is also available in Paperback on Amazon and Createspace in selected countries. I'm working on getting it on to other platforms.

Anne said...

I'm not as consistent on WEP as I would like to be but I have read Adura's poems and always loved the sensitivity and passionate emotions she bringsto them. This book will defknitely be on my list, specially after Denise's recommendation :)

Denise Covey said...

It's lovely to have you on my blog again Adura. Thanks for sharing with us today.

Denise Covey said...

The WEP door is always open Anne. Looking forward to seeing you back when you can manage it. Glad you will consider buying Adura's book. It is wonderful.

Nilanjana Bose said...

I am a fan of e.e.cummings, Sylvia Plath and Maya Angelou. And I have enjoyed Adura's poetry (and fiction) right from the time I discovered RFW. Congrats, Adura, On my wishlist definitely, will have to wait till I get back on home leave to buy.

JO said...

Great post. I love the way poetry grows with every reading of it till it becomes part of you.

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Denise and Adura - love to read more about Adura ... I'm not into poetry either - but I really should spend some time getting to grips with it and trying to understand more about it ...

Good luck with your poems and thanks Denise for highlighting Adura ... while the Van Gogh tribute for Tina is lovely .. she will be missed - cheers Hilary

Natalie Aguirre said...

It was great meeting Adura and learning more about her life. I don't read poetry but I really admire people who can write poetry.

Denise Covey said...

Hi Nila. I adore Maya Angelou too, and love reading Sylvia Plath :(.

Nas said...

Hi Denise and Adura,

Great post, loved reading all about you Adura. All the best!

H. R. Sinclair said...

Nice to meet your Adura. That's a nice piece.

Denise Covey said...

Thanks Hilary. I must read more poetry. I can really get into it if I stop overthinking it.

Denise Covey said...

As do I Natalie.

Denise Covey said...

Thanks for coming by Nas.

Heather R. Holden said...

I can relate a lot to being a night owl. I always feel more functional at night than during the day!

And what a lovely poem! So many evocative lines in it...

Miranda Hardy said...

Congrats to Adura on her lovely book.

Theresa Milstein said...

Denise, thank you for introducing me to Adura Ojo. I love poetry, and I enjoy reading the entries that come to Vine Leaves Literary Journal.

Pat Hatt said...

Congrats to Adura, poetry sure can flow and away one must go

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Tina would like that artwork!
I read the poetry of several blogger buddies, including Pat above.

Adura Ojo said...

It's a pleasure, Denise. It would also be a pleasure to host you on my blog, Denise. I will talk to you a bit more about it later. I'm so excited already!

Adura Ojo said...

Awww...Anne, thank you. I do remember the feedback you left when you visited my blog some months back. I hope you enjoy the book when you get to read it:)

Adura Ojo said...

When I read your poetry, Nila, I feel that we're on the same page though our indivudual styles are different. I'm not surprised that we share some 'poetic' heroes. Have you heard of Somali Poet Warsan Shire? Her work is hauntingly beautiful. There's some of her work online.

Unknown said...

Hi Denise,
Sorry I haven't been by in a long while. The summer here has been a bit crazy!!
I'm not a poetry reader, but Adura's words are inspiring. Great cover work too! Thanks for introducing us to her!
Cheers,
Jen

Adura Ojo said...

Thanks for your comment, JO. I love that poetry invokes in you the feelings that you describe.

Adura Ojo said...

Hi Hilary, I do enjoy reading your comments anytime you visit my blog. I would never have guessed you weren't into poetry. Maybe it depends on the sort of poetry it is. I'm not into some kinds of poetry either. I like mine straight and to the point. Maybe that sort of poetry might appeal to you if you're thinking of getting more into it. EE Cummings is good.

Adura Ojo said...

Thanks, Nas.

L. Diane Wolfe said...

When I was a teen, I wrote what I considered to be song lyrics, but they were very much like poems. Congrats, Adura.

Chrys Fey said...

I do love poetry. I will always treasure Emily Dickinson's poetry.

Thank you for introducing us to Adura's poetry, Denise. And a big congratulations to Adura on her book!

Kiru Taye said...

You know I adore your poetry, Adura and it's good to know I'm not the only night owl around.
Thank you for the mention.

Big wave to Denise! I hope you are well.
Kiru xx

cleemckenzie said...

I love to read poetry, but I'd never try writing any that I'd share. I enjoyed yours today, so thanks for posting your work here.

Denise Covey said...

Lovely to see you Jen. It was my pleasure to introduce Adura.

Denise Covey said...

I love Emily Dickinson too Chrys. Glad you dropped by and met Adura.

Denise Covey said...

Hi Kiru! Your artwork is magnificent. Lovely to see you here. x

Trisha said...

I loved this poem - very powerful. It gave me very vivid images in my head, and some of it reminded me of what could be a full short story or novel. :)

I used to write a lot of poetry, but not so much anymore. I still write song lyrics, though, so I guess that sort of counts. But many of my old poems are used for, or adapted to be used for, music.

dolorah said...

Hello Adura. Really love that cover.

Kelly Steel said...

I loved this poem - very powerful.

Heather M. Gardner said...

Congrats on the book!

Thank you for posting for Tina.

Heather

Anonymous said...

Wonderful poem and I love the cover. I'm pleased to meet Adura.

Denise Covey said...

I thought this might be the case Trisha.

Adura Ojo said...

It's nice to meet you too:) Thanks, Southpaw.

Adura Ojo said...

Thanks, Heather. I'm really glad that you love the lines in this poem. Apparently, we night owls are supposed to be better thinkers, lol. The theory is that night time is more productive, etc. I'll try and find the link and post it here.

Adura Ojo said...

Thanks, Miranda.

Adura Ojo said...

Hi Theresa, thank you for being here. I'll certainly check out your Journal. It sounds interesting...love the title.

Adura Ojo said...

Pat, Pat
How's your cat?

Haven't forgotten to rhyme, see.
It's been a while since I've been at yours.
Really appreciate you being here.
I'll catch up soon:)

Adura Ojo said...

Hi Alex,

Love the artwork too.
Poetry can be a useful tool in any writing. I'm planning a piece on what poetry can offer prose writers. It's a learning process for me too.

Adura Ojo said...

Hi Karen, the cover was done by romance writer Kiru Taye. I'm inspired by your comment here...thank you. You are the kind of reader I'm trying to reach...so this feedback means a lot. A lot of my poems are written in that style.

Adura Ojo said...

Thanks, Jennifer. I find your words here inspiring too. I'm inspired when a non-poetry reader like yourself finds my poetry accessible. All credit goes to romance writer Kiru Taye for the cover work:) I highly recommend her.

Adura Ojo said...

Thanks, Diane. There is that similarity between poetry and song lyrics. Lyrics are a kind of poetry, in my opinion:)

Adura Ojo said...

Thanks, Chrys. And for introducing me to Emily Dickinson, thank you! I will read as much of her poems as I can find. I love her for her accessibility and brevity. She is simple in her approach yet complex in her use of words and theme. My kind of poet. I particularly like "Faith is a fine Invention " and "Hope is the Thing with Feathers."

Adura Ojo said...

Hey Kiru, nice to see you here. Personally, I think you're a 24/7 owl, lol. You don't sleep and your work ethic is incredible! You already know how I feel about your art and your writing:)

Adura Ojo said...

Thank you so much for reading 'Window', Cleemckenzie. I'm really pleased that you enjoyed it. I know what you mean about not wanting to share...poetry is emotional and its organic nature exposes the writer like no other medium. As writers, we already have that challenge of what we choose to share. It would appear that poetry really does not give us that much of a choice. I am working through that challenge and learning every time I write a poem...the experience is often cathartic. I'll recommend it...perhaps share with friends to start with and then share with others if you want to:)

Adura Ojo said...

Hi Trisha F,
Your poems sound very interesting. i would love to write lyrics too...perhaps take a course. It's nice to know that 'Window' invoked images that you could sort of adapt creatively. I find that really inspiring. Thank you for your comment.

Adura Ojo said...

Hey Donna, that's Kiru Taye's cover work. Thanks for being here.

Adura Ojo said...

So pleased that you think so, Kelly. Thank you:)

Adura Ojo said...

Thanks, Heather.

Adura Ojo said...

I'm pleased to meet you too, Medeia. Glad you love 'Window', I do appreciate your feedback. Romance novelist Kiru Taye did the cover art.

Adura Ojo said...

It's my great pleasure to meet you too, Natalie. I wrote this collection with non-poetry readers in my mind. There are pieces of my poetry on my blog and all over the web. I hope reading me and other 'accessible' ordinary poets would inspire you to read more poetry:)

Nas said...

Congrats to Adura! Sounds awesome.

Stephanie Faris said...

I wish I were a night owl. Nighttime is the best time to write, while everyone's asleep! Congratulations to Adura!

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J Lenni Dorner said...

Good poem.

Amazing to see the number of bloggers selecting that painting for the memorial. Very nice. :)

Adura Ojo said...

Thanks, EAW:)

Adura Ojo said...

Thanks Stephanie. I get easily distracted. That's why nighttime works for me.

Cherie Reich said...

I don't read much poetry, although I enjoyed your poem, Adura! Love the title of your poetry collection too. Congrats!

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Unknown said...

Thursday 11th September 2014

Dear Denise,

Lovely choice of Vincent's sunflowers.

This was not an easy blog hop to do. Tina was a special blogging friend to me. We had our secret language, Swedish, that we had fun with together, in spite of the fact that Tina did not having Swedish letters on her computer keyboard. It made spelling a challenge.

I speak and write Swedish every day. N big deal. But to do it with someone like Tina Downey, who had preserved it like a precious treasure from childhood, while being surrounded by a sea of English, was a humbling experience. She had what I might call "linguistic courage".

I'll miss her slant on language, on life and I'll miss her kindness and her unique sense of humour.

I'm late making my rounds thanking those who have visited my post

I am still looking for a photo of a sunflower that I took a few years ago of a lone sunflower that rew up out of a pile of leaves and dirt behind our garage. I'll post it if I find it, because it would be an appropriate symbol of Tina's tenacity and spirit.

Kind regards,
Anna

Denise Covey said...

So sad that Tina's gone, Anna. She will be greatly missed.

Denise Covey said...

Glad you came by Cherie.

Denise Covey said...

Well, when many of us think of sunflowers, Van Gogh is the man.

Nick Wilford said...

I enjoyed this poem - very striking imagery, especially "tsunami tears". Congrats, Adura!

Vallypee said...

Lovely poem beautifully crafted and with great imagery! Well done!

Adura Ojo said...

Thanks, Lenni. The painting is lovely. Tina is special to be loved by so many:)

Adura Ojo said...

Thanks, Cherie. I changed the title about three times before I settled on this one. Glad that you love it.

Adura Ojo said...

Hi Anna!
Left a comment for you on my blog. not sure if you've got it. Sorry for the lateness...it's been a busy as well as a difficult time.

DMS said...

I love to read poetry and anything else in verse. There are so many different styles. I love poetry from the serious to the silly- depending on my mood. :)

What a wonderful poem by Adura!
~Jess

Adura Ojo said...

i did not know Tina but she sounds like a special lady loved by many, Denise. Hope her loved ones are comforted by the thought that she is in a better place.

Adura Ojo said...

Thanks, Nick. I'm pleased that you enjoyed reading my poem.

Adura Ojo said...

Hi Val. Thanks for your comment. I always start with the images in my mind's eye. They start to mean something and then the words come.

Adura Ojo said...

Hi DMS. I love many styles of poetry too. Free verse is my favourite though. The silly poems are the best...depending on one's mood, like you said. Thank you for reading my poem and I'm glad that you enjoyed it.

Adura Ojo said...

Thank you, Denise, for featuring me on your beautiful blog. I'd also like to thank all the people who left comments and the silent readers too. Hope you continue to nurture an interest and a love for poetry. All the best to you all. Adura x

Yolanda Renée said...

What a lovely cover! Poetry is my favorite form of expression. Saying the most with the fewest words - emotional, thoughtful, and beautiful!
Congratulations! Adura, I look forward to the rest of your tour!

Van Gogh for Tina, excellent choice!

Denise Covey said...

It was a pleasure Adura. Anytime.

Denise Covey said...

Thanks Yolanda. Yes, that cover is gorgeous. It's great seeing Adura get her poetry out there.

Shannon Lawrence said...

I haven't heard of poet Warsan Shire, but I'm a fan of e.e. cummings, so will have to look Shire up. I love the book cover, and the poem is touching.

Denise Covey said...

Thanks for coming by Shannon.

Adura Ojo said...

Thanks, Yolanda. I look forward to seeing you on the rest of my tour:)

Adura Ojo said...

Hi Shannon. Thanks for being here and for your comment. Here's a link to some of Warsan Shire's work. I have to admit it is not light reading. I describe her work as hauntingly beautiful:

http://www.africanpoetryprize.org/winning-poems