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By Temitope Aina
Nigerian creative writer Hameed Ayodeji has unveiled Tales of True Religion, a collection of 20 poems exploring love, faith, spirituality and human relationships, with a central message that love transcends religious, cultural and personal differences.
The collection, written between 2017 and 2026, reflects the author’s conviction that love is not merely a romantic emotion but a universal language capable of connecting people across different backgrounds and experiences.
Ayodeji said the title was inspired by his belief that love represents the greatest religion, encompassing humanity, beauty, compassion, spirituality and meaningful relationships.
According to him, the poems draw from personal experiences, emotional reflections and spiritual growth over nearly a decade, examining the different ways love shapes human existence.
The collection combines poetry with visual illustrations, creating what the author described as an artistic expression of emotions and ideas that are sometimes difficult to communicate through conventional language.
He explained that his preference for abstract expression influenced his choice of poetry as a medium for exploring complex feelings and personal experiences.
Ayodeji, who identified God as his principal source of inspiration, said the creative process required patience, reflection and a willingness to translate deeply personal emotions into words that readers could understand and relate to.
The journey to publication involved compiling the poems, preparing the manuscript for digital distribution and collaborating with an illustrator to complement the literary content with visual interpretations.
The process, according to the author, lasted more than a year, reflecting the effort involved in bringing together works developed over different periods of his life.
Speaking about his creative philosophy at the Selar 10th anniversary exhibition, Ayodeji described God as his creative superpower, attributing his inspiration and artistic development to his faith.
He also identified black as the colour that best represented his creative identity, describing it as untainted and symbolic of authenticity and the uncompromising nature of love.
Beyond romantic relationships, Tales of True Religion examines the connections between faith, personal growth and everyday human experiences, encouraging readers to reflect on the place of love in their interactions with others.
The author expressed hope that the collection would inspire readers to appreciate love as more than an emotion, but as a language, an art form and a principle capable of guiding human relationships.
He maintained that although individuals might differ in their beliefs, backgrounds and experiences, the capacity to love remained a common element of humanity.
The collection is expected to be available digitally, while a print edition may be considered in the future.
