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By Tosin Ajirire
Michael Sunday Adelusi addresses societal ills as well as canvasses for a saner society through his creative works.
The writer studied Mechanical Engineering at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, Osun State, and is currently pursuing a Master degree in the same course at De Montfort University, Leicester, United Kingdom.
Adelusi, who has participated and anchored several writing workshops, in this interview revealed why he wants to help people make meaning out of life situations.
Tell us briefly about yourself.
I am Michael Sunday Adelusi. I hailed from Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State. I am the youngest of family of five. I had my elementary and secondary school education in Ado Ekiti, and later proceeded to Obafemi Awolowo, University, Ile-Ife, Osun State where I studied Mechanical Engineering. I am currently a Master’s degree student of Mechanical Engineering at De Montfort University, Leicester, United Kingdom. I am a prolific writer who addresses societal ills with my work while canvasing for a better society.
Why did you choose to be a poet and not fiction writer?
I chose to be a poet because poems say more than they seem to do. One is never done reading a poem, as it gives a new meaning every time it is read, unlike fiction that could be read once and then put away. I chose to be a poet so that I can help people make meaning out of various life situations.
How do you derive inspiration to write, and what actually inspired your anthology, A Ray of Hope?
Writing is more like a hobby for me. I get inspired by various life events and how they relate to me. This is seen in my works as they cover several topical issues.
Some people drink, smoke or even have sex for inspiration, what do you do before writing?
Basically, all I need is a quiet environment, a paper and a pen and I’ll write. My inspiration comes from my environment and the love for poetry.
In your poem, A Long Walk From Home, you paint a tragic picture of how some Africans are marooned or even die chasing their dreams in foreign lands. Are these thoughts inspired by true-life experiences?
Yes! I have seen people struggle to make it abroad, and the pressure from their families at home make matters worse. I wrote the poem to add my voice to the fact that, it is better to be at home and enjoy peace than to be abroad and be miserable.
Some of your poems reflect hope for an emerging new Africa. How do you think this will be achieved?
A new Africa will emerge when we all begin to make significant contributions and take Africa as our home. No matter the naturalisation and immigration, we are Africans; and that is our truest identity, an identity we must protect and cherish.
Your poem, Names, glorifies African identities and elevates tribal marks over and above tattoos. Don’t you think the tribal mark idea is archaic in this age and times?
Tribal marks originally are meant to help us identify our background or tribe. However, I think this act has outlived its usefulness and does not in the strict sense enhance beauty. It has made people with such marks feel terrible and sometimes give them a low self -esteem. Tattoos on the other hand are beautiful, and this is quite evident as even our grandmothers and fathers have various designs on their bodies. Nevertheless, when we lay too much emphasis on what people wear or not wear, we de-emphasise the personality.
Your poem, Black Bodies, seems to indicate that you’re sick and tired of living abroad but you’re hooked with no choice. Is this so?
One can get tired of living abroad when once meets basic challenges like racism. However, the world was created to be seen and lived in, hence I’ll live anywhere so far I have maximum peace and opportunities to explore.
As a young man, why do you wish for death in your poem, Death?
Death should never be seen as something negative but a total state of rest. And as a Christian, what more can we wish for than to reunite with Christ. It is in God we find our truest happiness. However, my poem, Death was written to help my reader choose to die to their old ways that are not profitable, and begin to live for their passion and strength.
What are your challenges as a writer and how do you cope with them?
There are always challenges especially environmental ones. We live in a noisy world and this has affected the concentration level of not just writers but also everyone. I think we need to rediscover the beauty of silence in our time and age.
How do you handle writer’s block if and when it comes?
I have experienced a few in the past. I take a break, and when my mind is refreshed, I pick my work up again and continue. However, it is sometimes difficult; and there will be an influx of ideas and they may be conflicting sometimes.
What’s next after A Ray of Hope?
Let’s wait and see. I have some more works, and I really do hope my readers will love them.
