Hello friend! Today is the book excerpt post that comes from a poetry book: Of That Which Makes Glass by Ayo Tijani. Let’s meet Ayo and then check out this book.
Get to know the author: Ayo
Welcome back to Armed with A Book, Ayo! Tell me and my readers a bit about yourself!
Hi I’m Ayo Tijani. I live in England, London to be precise. I live with flatmates and a cat. I have lived in London for most of my life. When I was 18 I left the UK to study Political Science in Montreal, Canada. I spent 3 years in Montreal, returning to London after I graduated. I started writing poetry in 2020. It was a way of expressing ideas and feelings I had. In the noughties I wrote for a blog as well as my own blog, neither of which exist anymore. These days, Monday to Friday I work as a Project Engineer working on water mains. My writing is informed by my experiences and observations, some of which are funny so I have been told.
What inspired you to write this book?
A deep sense of needing to get shit off my chest.
How long did it take you to write this book, from the first idea to the last edit?
It took me about 17 months to complete
What makes your poetry collection unique?
I don’t know if my poetry collection is unique. But I do think that my collection captures a voice which is not often heard in poetry. I hope that this collection has put words to feelings that people find difficult to express.
Who would enjoy reading your book?
My collection is about fragility and vulnerability as well as strength and joy. Anyone who can relate to these ideas would enjoy reading my book.
What’s something you hope readers would take away from it?
A big smile.
Do you have a favourite quote or poem in the book that you find yourself going back to?
I have a few. One is a poem called Compromising Medium and another is one called Linguistics.
Of That Which Makes Glass
In this 38 poem collection you will find honesty, humour, anger, fragility and strength. Exploring themes of friendship, identity and healing the collection is nostalgic and evocative. Reflections on society are also prominent in this debut. Succinctly written and split into four sections this collection intricately describes the human condition.
Content Notes: Some strong language.
Book Excerpt from
Of That Which Makes Glass
Compromising Medium
I am at peace with the world
until it pisses me off again
Love You All, Lots
Friends:
in you all
I see joy
I see fun
I see understanding.
Support.
My friends,
you are problem solvers.
You listen,
we talk,
though I do not think words can express
none the less, I try –
forgive me if I digress;
there is history amongst us.
Where to begin?
And, at the same time,
will I ever stop?
So much we have shared and,
greedily, I wish
we could have shared more.
Sometimes time and space creates
a distance between us,
life being what it is;
yet I carry you all with me
you’re in my head
you’re in my heart
you are great comforts to me.
I want you all to know.
Many things we have been through
a lot to laugh about,
some things to cry about,
but, above all, I feel so much gratitude,
and always will
for having you all
in my life.
Idealism vs. Reality
My whole being says:
Yes! I am a child of the universe.
Society says:
I am a Black,
Heterosexual,
Woman
In a
Racist,
Heterosexist,
Man’s world.
Interested?
Find this book on Goodreads, IndieStoryGeek and Amazon. If you want a paperback copy, it can be found on Ayo’s website.
Connect with Ayo on Instagram, website, Facebook and Goodreads.
If you are an indie author and would like to do a book excerpt, check out my work with me page for details.
Cover Photo from Unsplash
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