When The Monuments by Funso Aiyejina: Poem and Analysis

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The Poem

When The Monuments by Funso Aiyejina 

For Walter Rodney and Ngugi wa Thiong’o

When the monuments to our past

are whittled down by new facts

and our dew drops of change

are sacrificed on the altar of state security,

we awake to the knowledge that

pebbles lodged in muddy ponds

must grow muddy with time…

Now that our messiahs have chased our dreams

from the sacred corners of our hearts

into the blind alleys of our ghettoes

where they proceed to slaughter them

before our astonished imagination

summoning history to witness their feast,

it is time we rejected those who

have severed the link between prayer and miracles,

those who mock our voices with great signboards

which proclaim only fairy-tale projects

and those who make us build the podia

on which they stand to salute our misery

on every anniversary of the revolution.

 General Introduction

"When The Monuments" by Funso Aiyejina is a powerful and evocative poem dedicated to Walter Rodney and Ngugi wa Thiong’o, two prominent figures in the struggle against colonialism and for social justice. The poem reflects on the disillusionment and betrayal experienced by societies when their leaders, once seen as liberators, become oppressive. It critiques the loss of revolutionary ideals and the manipulation of historical narratives to serve the interests of the state.

 Title

The title "When The Monuments" suggests a reflection on historical figures or events that were once revered but have since been re-evaluated or tarnished by new revelations. Monuments symbolize lasting memories and honors, but the poem implies that these can be undermined or altered over time.

 Themes

1. Betrayal of Revolutionary Ideals

   - The poem laments how "messiahs" have turned against the dreams they once inspired: "Now that our messiahs have chased our dreams / from the sacred corners of our hearts / into the blind alleys of our ghettoes."

   

2. Disillusionment with Leadership

   - Leaders who were once celebrated have become sources of oppression: "we rejected those who / have severed the link between prayer and miracles."

   

3. Corruption and Hypocrisy

   - The poem criticizes leaders who create grand, but empty, promises: "those who mock our voices with great signboards / which proclaim only fairy-tale projects."

4. Historical Revisionism

   - Aiyejina discusses how historical narratives are manipulated: "When the monuments to our past / are whittled down by new facts."

5. Sacrifice and Loss

   - The poem highlights the loss of hope and sacrifice of dreams: "our dew drops of change / are sacrificed on the altar of state security."

 Literary Devices

1. Metaphor

   - "pebbles lodged in muddy ponds / must grow muddy with time" represents how individuals or ideals become tainted over time.

   

2. Irony

   - The "messiahs" who were supposed to bring salvation have instead brought destruction: "messiahs have chased our dreams / into the blind alleys of our ghettoes."

   

3. Imagery

   - Vivid images of betrayal and loss: "they proceed to slaughter them / before our astonished imagination."

4. Personification

   - "our messiahs have chased our dreams" gives human actions to abstract concepts, emphasizing the active betrayal by leaders.

   

5. Allusion

   - References to Walter Rodney and Ngugi wa Thiong’o anchor the poem in real historical struggles and figures.

6. Symbolism

   - "Monuments" symbolize historical memories and ideals, while "muddy ponds" symbolize corruption and degradation over time.

 Language and Mood

The language of the poem is evocative and laden with sorrow and anger. The mood shifts from reflective to critical as the poet laments the corruption and betrayal by leaders who were once celebrated. The tone is mournful yet resolute, calling for a rejection of false leaders.

 Context

Funso Aiyejina, a Nigerian poet and scholar, often writes about post-colonial themes and the sociopolitical issues in Africa. This poem is dedicated to Walter Rodney, a Guyanese historian and political activist, and Ngugi wa Thiong’o, a Kenyan writer and academic, both of whom have been influential in critiquing colonialism and advocating for social justice.

 Conclusion

"When The Monuments" is a reflection on the disillusionment with post-colonial leadership and the betrayal of revolutionary ideals. Through its rich imagery and critical tone, the poem calls for a re-evaluation of historical narratives and a rejection of corrupt leaders. Aiyejina's dedication to Rodney and Ngugi underscores the importance of remembering and honoring true champions of justice while critiquing those who have failed their people.