Sober Reflections is a collection of 83 poems. It is divided into three phases: Episode I (1993 – 1999). This section has 37 poems. Episode II (2000 – 2006) has 32 poems, while Episode III (2007 – 2008) has 14 poems.
Each of these episodes is an account or a description of a phase in time, an event, a situation or period of time in the poet’s experience in life that is important or interesting in some way which the poet wishes to communicate to his readership. As the title of the anthology implies, it is a poet’s reflection on experiences over periods of time or happenstances of life.
In Sober Reflections, there is a unique feature that cuts across the whole poems and which holds the reader spell bound - the poet’s use of simple diction, which enhances good understanding and motivates the reader to read onto the end of each poem and the anthology at large. His “poetic diction” which includes words, phrases, length and complexity of sentences, or choice of words are not abstract; not far-fetched or bookish. They are current in the ordinary conversation of the time. His deliberate use of simple words, features, analogies and images drive home his messages more concretely.
The background of these poems and the subject of creativity are quite local and familiar – his childhood experience, village life, River Benue, Africa, etc., even help drive home his message more pointedly as opposed to abstract settings. Poems that deal with historical times and the poet’s emotions such as; When I was a boy; Dookenger; I need you; I am in love, and a host of others, are very local and familiar. Natural imageries employed are quite apt and make for easy understanding of the poems.
Born at Sati-Agirigi in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of Benue State, North-Central Nigeria, Iorshagher Ikyereve attended the famous Government College, Katsina–Ala where he obtained the General Certificate of Education (GCE). He proceeded to Benue State University, Makurdi, and the University of Abuja, Abuja, where he bagged a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mass Communication and a Masters of Arts (Media Arts ), respectively.
His passion for writing manifested in the early days of his life. At the age of fifteen he was selected as the editor-in-chief of his College news magazine, based on his grades and a written competition. He graduated top of his class as the best Student of the Year in Literature in English. He was also elected as the President of Mass Communication Student Association, Benue State University Chapter. The Vision, a departmental Students’ training magazine and newspaper were first published during his tenure.
He was appointed the editor of NYSC Orientation Broadcasting Service (OBS) and later, editor-in-chief of Delta State NYSC Editorial Board, during his mandatory National Youth Service in Delta State, South-South Nigeria. Until recently, he worked in Abuja as a freelance Journalist/ Media Consultant. Currently, he serves in Government House, Makurdi as Special Assistant (Administration).
Sober Reflections is an anthology which captures socio-political, economic and religious experiences in Nigeria between 1993 to 2008.
The book is segmented into three notable epochs, in place of chapters which are commonly known for such work of arts. The reason basically, is to enhance reader’s quick understanding of the poems once he or she is able to situate a particular poem within a given time or era.
As an advocate of functional poetry, the poet endeavor to employ Realism on one hand, and Romanticism on the other in this anthology. The aim is to achieve the maximum result of reshaping the society for the better. In functional terms, poetry is viewed as a literary medium for documentation, reshaping, and exchange of human experiences and feelings. The use of Realism which permeates this anthology was borne out of the conviction that Realism as a visual attitude stresses the candid treatment of materials; the ordinary and everyday life as it is. In this book, however, the writer try as much as possible to distant himself from ‘naked Realism’ - one devoid of any functional experience or lesson for humanity. Though Realism reflect the world as it is, a normal rather than amplified perception of reality dominates this collection. That notwithstanding, elements of Romanticism also abound in this work.
Political satire is also utilized in this anthology as a corrective approach and not in any way, a reproach. Consider the following extract from Cloudy Horizon.
Afar beyond a cloudy horizon,
My proxies splatter treasures like coconut milk;
But a multitude of mutterers come into view,
Who could not settle for a morsel of bread. (pg…line 2)
Satires are employed here as change agents, taking into cognizance the fact that political actors of the eras under consideration are seemingly drivers of a ruined economy; the architect of political and religious instability and the promoters of intolerable values in the society. Consider the following lines:
In the jungle,
All masters in termite colonies
Set mansions on imposing hills
With smuggled water and clay.
The predominant use of imagery in this collection is not in any way inadvertent, but an attempt to help the reader to better appreciate the poems, since the dictions employed in some of the poems are not too lucid for a lay mind. This is not a conscious effort to be unreasonably difficult, but an effort to achieving a classical poetic diction which places imagery, rhyme and other poetic devices ahead of lucidity of language. Take a look at the following lines from Bitter Honey:
Why must you drink from this jug of woe
When I offer you half-empty cup of peace
that melts the armory of snobbish war
And set captives fleeing like desert bees?
Life is bestowed to us for not a toll,
Living is the commotion that runs our bills.
Also in this collection, you could clearly see a compassionate lover in a passionate Romantic poet. That is to say the writer is out to feed you with avalanche of experiences, feelings and emotions. Thus, the anthology affords you the opportunity to meet a liberal poet who combines Realism with Romanticism to create a graphic picture of human experiences as they affect him and his fellow human beings within his milieu
This preview is no doubt imperative bearing in mind the condensed nature of ideas loaded in poetic works which makes it rather complex for easy comprehension. In as much as the poet tried to be simple and lucid in his presentation of ideas, he was at the same time, cautious not to be too simplistic so that no snooping eye would accuse him of journalese. From the foregoing, it is expected that you will have a better appreciation of Sober Reflections.