To Receive

Alan Sugar, an audience member at Java Monkey last Sunday, wrote this poem after seeing my performance. As it is a really special moment for me, I thought I'd share it with you (after obtaining Alan's permission, of course.)

As an artist, for a decade you grow this vision, hoping others might see it, and then, what a joy when it gets reflected back to you like this - the highest compliment anyone could give a poet: a poem.

Thanks, Alan. This just might carry me through the rest of my life. Enjoy.

Ayodele at Java Monkey

Vulnerable you appear to us, and yet you are commanding—
Like a laborer who bows before the field, so strong, so understanding.

You kneel so silently on the earth as it softly sings.
Your words are like the shape of birds testing their new wings.

You take the truth and uncover it, revealing all its holes.
And in the mist of twilight, you gather up lost souls.

Humble and proud, your dance is life,
The sea is your son, the heavens your wife.

It is black. It is bright. It is all that you give.
The angels all flutter around the home where you live.