Fado Singer by Wole Soyinka

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 FADO  SINGER

For Amalia Roderiguez

My skin is pumiced to a fault

I am down to hair-roots,down to  fibre  filters Of the raw tobacco nerve

Your net is spun of sitar strings

To hold the griefs of gods:I wander long

In tear vaults of the sublime

Quccn  of night  torments,you  strain

Sutures of song to bear imposition of the rites Of living  and  of  death.You

Pluck strange dirges from the storm

Sift rare stones from ashes of the moon,and ride Night errands to the throne of anguish

Oh there is too much crush of petals

For perfume,too heavy tread of air on mothwing For a cup of rainbow dust

Too much pain,oh midwife  at  the  cry

Of severance,fingers at the cosmic cord,too vast The pains of easters for a hint of the eternal.

I  would be  free  of your  tyranny,free

From sudden plunges of the fesh in earthquake Beyond all subsidence of sense

I would be free from headlong rides

In rock reams and volcanic veins,drawn by dark steeds On grey melodic reins.

Analysis

"Fado Singer" by Wole Soyinka is a poignant tribute to the renowned Portuguese fado singer, Amalia Rodrigues, and explores themes of pain, resilience, and the transformative power of music. Here's an analysis of its key elements:

The poem begins with the speaker describing their own physical and emotional state, comparing their skin to pumice and feeling stripped down to the core. This imagery conveys a sense of vulnerability and exposure, setting the tone for the exploration of deeper emotions to come.

The speaker then addresses Amalia Rodrigues, likening her voice to a net woven from sitar strings capable of holding the griefs of gods. This metaphor emphasizes the singer's ability to convey profound emotions and capture the essence of human suffering through her music.

Amalia is portrayed as the "queen of night torments," suggesting her role as a purveyor of emotional catharsis and solace in the face of suffering. She is described as bearing the imposition of the rites of living and death, indicating her ability to navigate the complexities of life and mortality through her songs.

The poem continues to explore the depth of Amalia's artistry, as she plucks strange dirges from the storm and sifts rare stones from the ashes of the moon. This imagery highlights her ability to find beauty and meaning in moments of darkness and despair.

The speaker acknowledges the overwhelming nature of the pain and suffering that Amalia channels through her music, describing it as too much for mere perfume or a cup of rainbow dust. This imagery conveys the intensity and depth of human emotion that Amalia is able to evoke in her listeners.

Despite the speaker's desire to be free from the tyranny of Amalia's music and the profound emotions it elicits, they also express a sense of admiration and awe for her talent. The final lines evoke imagery of being drawn into the depths of emotional turmoil, likening it to headlong rides in rock reams and volcanic veins.

Overall, "Fado Singer" is a deeply evocative poem that celebrates the transformative power of music to express and transcend human suffering. Through rich imagery and lyrical language, the poem pays homage to the emotional resonance and enduring legacy of Amalia Rodrigues's artistry.