TO ONE IN LABOUR BY WOLE SOYINKA

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TO  ONE, IN  LABOUR

For Segi

In silent spaces of the frebrush

Mud regurgitations of the ant

Break air and pollen grain.

The architects

Of spathe and spire survive

Subversions of the human tread

Or mind,some to labour some to yield 

A queen her labour

But they build.And I think

Gestation is a Queen insealed

In the cathedral heart, dead lovers round

Her nave of life.

Departed  now,the  master  masons.

Desolate Wonder of you and me,bmud spires

Thrust inviolate against colonnades

Of   heartwood.Within,

A Queen preparing.Alas for dead lovers

 And the silent shrine of pain.

In solitude

Of catacombs the lethal arc contracts,my love - 

Of your secretions.

Analysis

The poem "To One, in Labour" by Wole Soyinka is a deeply symbolic exploration of life, creation, and the cyclical nature of existence. Here's an elaboration:

The poem begins with a dedication "For Segi," indicating that it's addressed to someone, perhaps the muse or inspiration behind the poem. The speaker contemplates the intricate workings of nature, symbolized by "silent spaces of the freebrush" and "mud regurgitations of the ant." These natural processes, represented by the ant's labor, are described as breaking "air and pollen grain," highlighting their fundamental role in the ecosystem.

The "architects" mentioned refer to the creatures of nature, such as ants, who construct intricate structures like spathes and spires despite facing challenges like human interference. Some of these creatures toil tirelessly, while others yield to the demands of their environment. The reference to a queen in labor underscores the idea of creation and the perpetuation of life within the natural world.

The speaker reflects on the concept of gestation, comparing it to a queen "insealed" within the cathedral heart, symbolizing the womb or the core of life itself. The imagery of "dead lovers round her nave of life" suggests a solemn atmosphere of past relationships and experiences that contribute to the ongoing cycle of creation and rebirth.

As the "master masons" depart, leaving behind their creations, the poem shifts to a more personal tone, addressing the recipient directly as "Desolate Wonder of you and me." This intimate moment contrasts with the grandeur of the natural world, highlighting the interconnectedness of individual experience within the larger tapestry of existence.

The imagery of "mud spires thrust inviolate against colonnades of heartwood" evokes a sense of resilience and permanence amidst the transient nature of life. Within this framework, the queen prepares for her labor, symbolizing the ongoing process of creation and renewal.

However, amidst this cycle of life, there is also an acknowledgment of pain and loss. The reference to "dead lovers" and the "silent shrine of pain" conveys a sense of mourning for what has passed, yet also an acceptance of the inevitability of change and transformation.

In the final lines, the poem returns to the intimate sphere of personal experience, as the speaker contemplates the "lethal arc" of love and the transformative power of "secretions" within the catacombs of solitude. This ending suggests a fusion of the personal and the universal, where individual emotions and experiences resonate within the larger framework of natural cycles and cosmic forces.