'writing is a vast
platform through which the world can be positively changed’
This afore-quoted is
the view of Rasaq Malik Gbolahan when asked about writing and the world as
the inseparable duo and synergy for change. He is a poet far from the daunting
pool of criticism and this is due to the fact that he believes his poems as
ones for the down-trodden masses; and word as an avenue through which the world
can be subjected to criticism. He does not believe in the erroneous notion
that ‘art should be for art’s sake’.
2010 can be said to be
a year of breakthrough when discovered himself as (in-born) poet and literary
critic. His works have got featured on literary giant websites like
SentinelNg and Nigerian national dailies while some have been shortlisted in
many poetry contests. As a young promising African writer, he has
impacted many with his restorative poesy garnished with egghead and sublime
typical African imageries and metaphors.
Pen Speaks met
him for an interview after he won the 2013 Yimucentral poetry
contest with his poem titled Tonight:
Pen speaks: Can we meet you?
Poet Malik: I am Rasaq Malik Gbolahan by name.
Born(in the early 90s) and bred in a town named Iseyin in Oke Ogun, Oyo State. I am the first born
in the family of four; my father,a civil servant, was born in Iganna, like
other children born in the rural area. He spent his childhood striving to make
a living, at least till the time he joined the other boys in the village
school. My Mother is from Igboora. She is the reserved type, a cynosure
because she is also the first born. I didn't meet literary books at
home as many writers would say, but my exposure and literary voyage into the
art when I was in pre-university stages (S.S.2) aided my writing. My father’s
shelf is copiously emboldened with Islamic and Yoruba books. I lived a secluded
life in my childhood days as I had to survive under parental restriction. My
father is a highly- disciplined Man and we weren't allowed to spend
holidays outside the town. He also taught his children the act of sweeping,
washing and consistent cleanliness. At present, I am a finalist in the
University of Ibadan.
Pen Speaks: You won Yimucentral poet
of the year, how did you achieve this?
Poet Malik; All praises be to God. I
submitted my poem as others did. The winner was later selected in accordance
with the competition’s rule, and the poem with the highest number of votes
emerged as the winner and that is a poem titled Tonight by
Rasaq Malik G.
Pen Speaks: What was your first reaction
when declared winner?
Poet Malik: (Laughs). I was glad you know. It was a miraculous
victory. It got to a point that I wanted to quit because i had tried my best
posting and sharing the link. When I saw my name on their site, I felt elated.
Pen Speaks: Tonight is a love poem, what
inspired it?
Poet Malik: Inspiration is a paramount thing in
literary discourse especially when pushed to write about your experiences. Like
“tonight”, I found myself in love, enmeshed inside the web of love with a girl
I met some months ago. In the bid to profess those intense feelings to her and
I was tingled to write, write and write. Tonight presents a serenity that weds
the dusk. I like it when the atmosphere enlivens my mood; it rekindles my urge
to write. The poem bears the epistle of admonishment, reminding her about the
inevitability of death in the last stanza.
Pen Speaks: Some people tend to believe that
love poem can be written by anybody without literary orientation, do you bid
with this?
Poet Malik: Everybody writes love poem, either
to satisfy their urge for love or to woo a particular lady. You can’t compare
someone who is a maestro in writing with someone who is not, they will write on
a similar theme but the efficiency of both will be totally polarized.
Banality shouldn't be condoned, it’s either you are in or out.
Pen Speaks: What is writing to you and when
have you been writing?
Poet Malik: Writing to me is a quest for spiritual
definition. It is a journey a writer embarks on to see what is concealed
in the tangled world. Writing is a solitary adventure, yet a demanding and
challenging venture. I write to heal and see visions beyond the imaginary. One
secret, I write at my best when I am sad. You see a forlorn poet in a bereaved
society, an exiled mind scribbling poems that hunt.
I wrote my first poem in SS2. That was an elegy I wrote after the death of a
human rights activist and a lawyer with untainted integrity, Gani Fawehinmi of
a blessed memory. I read famous poets and poems; John Donne, John Milton, Wole
Soyinka, Niyi Osundare, Andrew Marvel, Leopold
Senghor, e.t.c
However,
I started serious writing when I got admitted to university of Ibadan for my
tertiary education. I had to do some readings after meeting a friend (also
involved in literature) told me about some poetry books. Later, I read and
wrote until I posted on Facebook some years back and received criticism from
writers who have been of help in honing my skill.
Pen Speaks: As a young promising poet, how do you
balance up between writing and criticism?
Poet Malik: Writing and criticism are
necessities that are hugely needed in literary arena. They are working
dependently. I write and I send my poems to critics because i have friends who
are good at both. I don’t joke with criticism but I revere greatly, criticism
without berating the poet persona.
Pen Speaks: Society tend to believe that an average
writer is egocentric, any rejoinder to this?
Poet Malik: Egocentric? That is like daring the
snake when your feet are weak to run. You can’t sing when you have a croaky
voice. If you are egocentric, you are digging your grave before death. Even the
famous ones among writers relate with due respect with others, even with
upcoming writers. Tade Ipadeola is a type that loves to relate with upcoming
writers; he is a father in the literary circle. Writing is not for you to load
your head with pride. Like the words of our elders, one should walk gently for
thorns are on the road to success.
Pen Speaks: This achievement is a memory
that has come to stay in you, who are those you would like to show gratitude to?
Poet Malik: God leads, then the list is endless. As
they normally say, oluwa yoo bami san won lesan rere.(God will
help reward them)
Pen Speaks: Anybody as
your mentor?
Poet Malik: Every writer influences me. I read
books that question my thought. I read poetry books and I try to learn from
what I read. I like writers who write memorable lines!
Pen Speaks: When shall we expect your first
collection of poetry?
Poet Malik: I am done with my first poetry book.
Publishing is not easy you know. If everything works out as I plan, early next year Insha Allah.
Pen Speaks: Any other poem for your fans?
Poet Malik: One
of my crawling lines?
BóLÁTITó
(For my mother)
Yours is not the fragments of
A
broken egg, never!
Yours
is not the tamed tongue
Of
an obstinate rafter
Who
applauds the wind
For
the death of the tree
Bolatito, in the tribe of mothers
Who
lull their children with lullaby
When
the night spreads the wings of darkness
Yours
is the echoing drum on the minaret of time
So,
sing tonight,
Wura
mi, heal the season with your
magical touch
Your
feet are moons to walk the paths of approaching nights
Break
the shell of riddle, nothing new in the home of seer
Who
soaks his attire in the basin of palm oil
Or
tell me, who dares thrash the masquerade
With
whips? Agbodo
You are beyond the rage of thunder
For
you render the rain useless
By
invoking the spirit of my muse
I,
a brook, I learn from the road
You
trek, so tonight
You
are the lingering memory of my impregnable songs.
Pen Speaks: thank for being here. hope we meet
you next time, good bye.
