Ikeja, Friday, Four O'Clock by Wole Soyinka

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 IKEJA, FRIDAY, FOUR O'CLOCK

They were but gourds for earth to drink therefrom The laden trucks,mirage of breath and form

Unbidden offering on the lie of altars

A crop of wrath when hands retract and reason falters

No feast but the eternal retch of human surfeit

No drink but dregs at reckoning of loss and profit

Let nought be wasted,gather up for the recurrent sesion Loaves of lead,lusting in the sun's recession.

Analysis

"Ikeja, Friday, Four O'Clock" by Wole Soyinka is a poem that reflects on the stark realities of urban life, specifically in the context of Ikeja, a suburb of Lagos, Nigeria. Here's an analysis of its key elements:

The poem opens with the imagery of laden trucks, described as "gourds for earth to drink therefrom." This metaphor suggests that the trucks, carrying various loads, are like vessels offering their contents to the earth. However, the use of the word "gourds" also conveys a sense of emptiness or superficiality, implying that what they carry is ultimately insubstantial or meaningless.

The phrase "mirage of breath and form" further emphasizes the transient and illusory nature of the trucks and their cargo. This imagery suggests that what may seem substantial or tangible is ultimately fleeting and ephemeral.

The poem then takes on a more critical tone, describing the offerings of the trucks as "unbidden" and likening them to a "crop of wrath" when hands retract and reason falters. This suggests a sense of disillusionment with the materialistic and consumer-driven aspects of urban life, where greed and thoughtlessness prevail.

The lines "No feast but the eternal retch of human surfeit / No drink but dregs at reckoning of loss and profit" highlight the emptiness and dissatisfaction that come from pursuing material wealth at the expense of deeper values and meaning. The use of words like "retch" and "dregs" conveys a sense of disgust and revulsion at the shallowness and emptiness of such pursuits.

The poem concludes with a call to action, urging against waste and advocating for the gathering of "loaves of lead" in the sun's recession. This metaphorical imagery suggests the accumulation of burdens or burdensome responsibilities, perhaps symbolizing the consequences of unchecked consumerism and materialism.

Overall, "Ikeja, Friday, Four O'Clock" is a critique of modern urban life and its emphasis on material wealth and consumption. Through vivid imagery and pointed language, the poem challenges readers to reflect on the emptiness and futility of pursuing superficial desires at the expense of deeper values and meaning.