The Baboon On The Swing by Funso Aiyejina: Poem and Analysis

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The Poem 

Because the night is dark with no stars in sight

The baboon boasts he’s clad in the finest velvet

Forgetful of dawn – the epilogue to nightmare

Our charm to dispel the hold of evil nights

Invocation to affirm that no matter its flare

A lie will always remain a lie, destined

Like a false masquerade, to be unmasked.

Not really; history does not repeat itself.

Men do

And are thus repeated on history’s shelf

Like Onitobi of the skimpy loin-cloth

Champion wrestler in the riddle who

Wrestled his challengers to death

And dared harmattan to a final duel.

Now, who amongst us needs to be reminded

That one who throws such affronts at the wind

No matter the magnitude of his past miracles

No matter the number of stars on his epaulets

Such a man must come away from such a contest

Badly bruised, lock-jawed, needing treatment?

No, history does not repeat itself. Men do.

If therefore, the clay-god craves a dance of shame

Persistent in his demand for extended prime time

In the rain; oblige him, turn on the spotlights.

If the baboon insists, in spite of honest protests

Let him swing low and high, secure in his might.

Let him swing sweet chariot amongst the branches

There is a dry one lurking within the green foliage.

Remember the bullock who craved a round-trip aboard?

Didn’t he return as corn-beef, cured and packaged

 General Introduction

"The Baboon on the Swing" by Funso Aiyejina is a thought-provoking poem that explores themes of arrogance, the cyclical nature of human folly, and the inevitable downfall of those who fail to learn from the past. The poem employs vivid imagery and metaphor to critique human behavior, drawing parallels between the actions of men and historical events. Aiyejina's use of symbolism and allusion enriches the poem, making it a compelling commentary on the human condition.

 Title

The title "The Baboon on the Swing" immediately evokes a sense of playful absurdity, suggesting a scene where a baboon, an animal often associated with mischievousness and folly, swings carelessly. This image sets the stage for the poem's exploration of arrogance and the consequences of reckless behavior. The swing symbolizes the precarious nature of such arrogance, hinting at an inevitable fall.

 Themes

1. Arrogance and Pride:

   - The baboon's boastfulness, "The baboon boasts he’s clad in the finest velvet," represents human arrogance and self-deception. The baboon, unaware of the approaching dawn, believes in a false grandeur that will soon be exposed.

2. Illusion and Reality:

   - The poem highlights the contrast between illusion and reality: "A lie will always remain a lie, destined / Like a false masquerade, to be unmasked." This theme underscores the idea that no matter how convincing a deception appears, the truth will ultimately prevail.

3. History and Repetition:

   - Aiyejina challenges the notion that history repeats itself, instead asserting, "Men do / And are thus repeated on history’s shelf." This theme explores the idea that human actions, rather than historical events, are what repeat, due to mankind's failure to learn from past mistakes.

4. Hubris and Consequence:

   - The poem warns against hubris through the fate of those who challenge forces greater than themselves: "One who throws such affronts at the wind... / Such a man must come away from such a contest / Badly bruised." This theme emphasizes the inevitable downfall that follows excessive pride and defiance.

5. Cynicism and Irony:

   - The poem uses irony to convey a cynical view of human behavior, as seen in lines like, "If the baboon insists, in spite of honest protests / Let him swing low and high, secure in his might." Despite warnings, the baboon continues its reckless behavior, highlighting human stubbornness and the futility of advice.

 Literary Devices

1. Metaphor:

   - The baboon on the swing is a metaphor for a person who is blindly confident and unaware of impending consequences: "The baboon boasts he’s clad in the finest velvet."

2. Symbolism:

   - The swing symbolizes the precarious nature of arrogance and the potential for downfall: "Let him swing sweet chariot amongst the branches."

3. Allusion:

   - The reference to "Onitobi of the skimpy loin-cloth" alludes to a legendary wrestler, emphasizing the theme of hubris and the fall of the mighty.

4. Irony:

   - The poem is rich in irony, particularly in its depiction of the baboon's false sense of security: "There is a dry one lurking within the green foliage," suggesting imminent danger despite the appearance of safety.

5. Personification:

   - History is personified as a shelf where men are repeatedly placed: "Men do / And are thus repeated on history’s shelf," giving history an active role in recording human folly.

6. Imagery:

   - Vivid imagery enhances the poem's impact, such as the description of the dawn dispelling nightmares: "Forgetful of dawn – the epilogue to nightmare."

 Language and Mood

The language of the poem is rich and evocative, filled with metaphor and vivid imagery that create a reflective and cautionary mood. Aiyejina's use of irony and cynicism adds a layer of critique, challenging readers to consider the consequences of arrogance and the repetition of human folly.

 Context

Funso Aiyejina is a Nigerian poet known for his critical and reflective style. This poem can be seen as a commentary on contemporary socio-political issues, where leaders and individuals often repeat the mistakes of the past, ignoring lessons that history offers. The baboon's behavior mirrors that of those in positions of power who act with impunity, oblivious to the consequences of their actions.

 Conclusion

"The Baboon on the Swing" by Funso Aiyejina is a powerful exploration of human behavior, particularly the themes of arrogance, illusion versus reality, and the repetition of history. Through vivid imagery and rich metaphor, Aiyejina critiques the folly of those who fail to learn from the past and warns of the inevitable consequences of such behavior. The poem serves as a reflective and cautionary piece, urging readers to consider the impact of their actions and the importance of humility and self-awareness.