Poem and Analysis of On Reading Jackie Kay by Ama Ata Aidoo

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 On Reading Jackie Kay 

by Ama Ata Aidoo 

My Very Dear Sister,

too big a shame that

we cannot ingest, as in hog on,

a good poem.

But beginning with you on the Isle of Man,

we should splurge on and slurp up

great rhymes and rhythms,

stuffing our faces with

beautiful sentiments coolly expressed.

We could pig out on those cadences

that break our hearts and gladden them—

succulent odes, romantic lyrics,

sweet and scary kwadwom, spicy oriki:

We will hors d’ourves on haiku,

guzzle on bubbly couplets and quatrains,

gobble up the sonnets, and

their crazy line restrictions.

Yet still and almost sated,

we shall do as the Romans did,

swigswillsip a delicate vintage and

deal with the poetry of praise, of blame, and the fearful apae.

Then singing and dancing,

we shall go to town on free verse.

Doing our poetic bacchanalia,

drumming out our verses.

What a global offering?

What a menu?

My Sister,

we would drink and get drunk

with complete abandon

not worrying about

the inches creeping up our hips, or

the sure damage to our livers.

And then, what heaven!

 General Introduction

"On Reading Jackie Kay" by Ama Ata Aidoo is a poem that celebrates the joy and communal experience of engaging with poetry. The poem is a vibrant ode to the pleasures derived from consuming various forms of poetry, likening the experience to indulging in a lavish feast. Through vivid imagery and a conversational tone, Aidoo highlights the universal and transformative power of poetry, inviting readers to revel in its multifaceted beauty.

 Title

The title, "On Reading Jackie Kay," signifies a specific inspiration drawn from the works of Scottish poet Jackie Kay. It suggests that Aidoo's experience of reading Kay's poetry has prompted a broader reflection on the nature and enjoyment of poetry as a whole. The title serves as a gateway to the poem's exploration of literary appreciation and the intimate connection between readers and poets.

 Themes

1. The Pleasure of Poetry

   - The poem emphasizes the joy and sensory delight of reading poetry, comparing it to a feast: "we should splurge on and slurp up / great rhymes and rhythms." This theme underscores the visceral pleasure that poetry can bring to its readers.

2. The Communal Experience of Poetry

   - Aidoo addresses the poem to her "Very Dear Sister," indicating that the enjoyment of poetry is a shared, communal activity. This theme is reinforced by the idea of feasting together on different forms of poetry, "singing and dancing, / we shall go to town on free verse."

3. The Diversity of Poetry

   - The poem celebrates the wide range of poetic forms and traditions, from "haiku" to "kwadwom" and "oriki." This diversity is likened to a global menu, suggesting that poetry encompasses a variety of styles and cultural expressions.

4. The Transformative Power of Poetry

   - The poem suggests that poetry has the ability to both "break our hearts and gladden them," indicating its profound emotional impact. This theme is illustrated through the imagery of consuming "succulent odes, romantic lyrics," which can evoke deep feelings.

5. The Liberation of Poetic Expression

   - Aidoo contrasts structured forms like sonnets with the freedom of "free verse," suggesting that poetry allows for both constraint and liberation. The idea of "doing our poetic bacchanalia" implies a joyous, unrestrained celebration of creativity.

 Literary Devices

1. Metaphor

   - The entire poem is an extended metaphor comparing the reading of poetry to the indulgence in a sumptuous feast. For example, "we should splurge on and slurp up / great rhymes and rhythms" vividly conveys the sensory pleasure of engaging with poetry.

2. Alliteration

   - Aidoo employs alliteration to enhance the musical quality of the poem: "splurge on and slurp up," "gobble up the sonnets." These repetitions of consonant sounds create a rhythmic flow that mirrors the enjoyment of poetry.

3. Imagery

   - The poem is rich with sensory imagery that evokes the tastes and textures of a feast: "succulent odes, romantic lyrics, / sweet and scary kwadwom, spicy oriki." These descriptions appeal to the reader's senses, making the experience of reading poetry vivid and tangible.

4. Personification

   - Poetry is personified as something that can be "ingested" and "gobbled up," attributing human-like qualities to an abstract concept. This personification helps to convey the idea that poetry can nourish and satisfy like food.

5. Juxtaposition

   - Aidoo juxtaposes different forms of poetry, such as the strict form of sonnets with the freedom of free verse: "their crazy line restrictions... we shall go to town on free verse." This contrast highlights the variety and flexibility within the poetic tradition.

6. Repetition

   - The repetition of phrases like "we shall" and "my sister" throughout the poem creates a sense of rhythm and unity, reinforcing the communal and celebratory tone of the poem.

 Language and Mood

The language of the poem is conversational and exuberant, filled with vivid imagery and sensory details that evoke the pleasure of indulging in poetry. The mood is celebratory and joyous, as Aidoo invites the reader to join her in a metaphorical feast of poetic forms. The tone is both affectionate and playful, addressing the reader as a close companion in this shared experience.

 Context

Ama Ata Aidoo is a Ghanaian writer and academic known for her work in poetry, fiction, and drama. Her writing often explores themes of cultural identity, gender, and social justice. "On Reading Jackie Kay" is inspired by the works of Jackie Kay, a Scottish poet known for her explorations of identity, race, and personal history. The poem reflects Aidoo's deep appreciation for poetry and its ability to bridge cultural and emotional divides.

 Conclusion

"On Reading Jackie Kay" by Ama Ata Aidoo is a vibrant celebration of the joy and communal experience of engaging with poetry. Through an extended metaphor of feasting, Aidoo captures the sensory pleasure, emotional depth, and diversity of poetic forms. The poem invites readers to revel in the beauty of poetry, highlighting its transformative power and the liberation it offers to both poets and readers.