Woundedness in Tayo Olafioye’s Poetry on Exile

Abstract

“Exile‟ as an aspect of the Diaspora concept has been explored in literary writings the world over. Exile could be voluntary or forced. Living in exile has been described variously. However, to live away from one’s home or home country is not an easy thing. Whenever one feels maltreated, whenever one feels isolated there is the longing for home. In view of this, Douglas S. Smith describes such experiences as isolation, alienation, separation or loneliness as “both wounding and expressions of our woundedness”. Nigerian writers like counterparts in other climes also reflect these experiences in their works. Therefore this paper looks at how Tayo Olafioye in his poems on life in exile portrays woundedness at the physical, psychological/ emotional, social, racial or cultural levels. Physical- movement from home, new environment, absence from loved ones / one’s roots; Psychological/emotional- life of anxiety, uncertainty, depression, solitude; Social- class, lack of acceptance/ failed attempts and Racial or Cultural- accents and skin colour, and so on. This paper focuses on Olafioye’s three collections of poetry- Ubangiji: the conscience of eternity, My Heart Swims in the tears of Happiness and A Carnival of Looters. Materials are drawn from works and essays of writers and researchers on the Diaspora concept to support this effort. We conclude that living in exile has been a long standing phenomenon and will not cease in the nearest future, in spite of the pains. This is as a result of the economic, political, social and cultural dynamics that are prevalent in our societies. It is also indicated that Olafioye’s approach to the issue of woundedness can in some way ameliorate the despair and debility associated with living in exile.