Book Review | I Wrote This For You
Title:
I Wrote This for You.
Author:
Samira Haruna Sanusi.
Page
Count: 94.
Publisher:
Word, Rhyme and Rhythm, Abuja.
Due
for release on: August 19, 2017.
Reviewer:
Nana Sule
I
wrote this for you starts as little droplets of beautifully
woven words before gradually building to a rain of encouragement. Every now and
then, alternating between the first person narrative and the second person, one
sees pain through the eyes of the writer, and feels the torture of all that she
has been through. Written as a collection of poems and quotes, the first and
most noticeable strength is the clever wordplay that survived till the last
page.
The poems, seem unknowingly divided into four parts,
although it is unclear if this was the Writers’ original intention or if by
some literary miracle, the poems aligned in poetry heaven. The first set of
poems talked about the acceptance of pain, in all its ramifications,
emphasizing the need to let pain break and heal one. The writer allows the
reader connect with pain in all its forms and masks, allows the understanding
that it is okay to be beat, and sad, and hurting. It also allows the reader to
understand that it is okay to drop those masks and breath.
The second part centers on self-love. Allowing the reader
recognize the importance of taking moments to applaud personal victories, be
they mighty or little. Here, the book touches on love and loving and letting go
of toxic relationships and partners. You are welcome to stand behind me. I WANT
you to stay, but I don’t NEED you. These words describe how infinitely,
all you have to give yourself is you. How although it is beautiful that one
tries to be a super hero, loving others, saving the world, it is important to
save oneself for one; keep some of you, for you.
Interestingly and quite refreshing were the poems dedicated
to God. Perhaps if we all saw God as the friend that the poems suggest, just
maybe our prayers would be answered faster. Or at least waiting on those
prayers would be much easier. And
perhaps just maybe, all those long nights tagged insomnia are nights where God
calls on us; Let’s talk, What’s going on?
The ending poems and quotes were dedicated to our unsung
heroes; to the women who are yet to truly and honestly answer the question, who
am I without my fathers’ name and my husbands’ last name, and the men who
break in silence. One explores societal labels, expectations and how
all that should fall behind as self-love and self-appreciation takes on our
decision wheel. The book closes with the words of Dr. Haruna Usman Sanusi where
he picks on the suffocating state of the Nigerian System; the poor blame the rich, who
blame the government, who blame the people, the economy and the Naira
which inevitably leads to the compromise in values, degeneration of living
standards and this intolerance one experiences in the society.
The little mishaps would
surface in the use of popular lyrics like Jason Derulos’ Kiss the sky, and
Rihanna’s Shine like diamonds, even as the world has cried about the
inability of diamonds to shine. Again, perhaps the lines found their way into
these poems and stayed, or perhaps they are materializations of the writers’
playlist. However, this remains a true path to self-appreciation and wealth of
motivation. We are grateful that this was written for us.
Nana Sule is a writer and Environmental enthusiast whose writings
have appeared in blogs. She is the Coordinator of the AMAB Book Club and tweets
@izesule.
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