DAMNATION, the latest release by Mr. K.K. Iloduba Jnr., is a collection of love verses. The book was published by Kayus & Bukky Commercial Enterprise, Abuja, in 2013.

The poet’s maiden offering, In the Arms of Misery, written in 2007, won several awards including that of Association of Nigerian Authors in 2009

Judging from the previous title, Iloduba appears committed to a brand that creates suspense at first sight. Interestingly, like In the Arms of Misery, the scary title of this collection is a departure from the soothing content.

In fact, the paradoxical title is nothing compared to enticing and romantic songs that dominate the work. One of those titles that completely differ from the body of the work is Bondage, where the poet simply personifies the moon as his fable.

He says: O’ naked moon/ your eyes are my legend!

The collection has 50 poems, each attempting to highlight the poet’s emotional and romantic state of mind. It also portrays him as one of the womanist authors, whose preoccupation is promoting feminine gender. In most cases, he goes on to bestow the female character for whom he writes, with beautiful and positive human attributes to further express his instinct.

In an era when socio-economic and political challenges prevail, literary authors are occupied with serious issues of daily living that only little or no space is reserved for works that sooth the heart.

The collection for once, takes the reader away from heart-rending and thought-provoking exigencies of life to a world of fantasy, where only love and affection feel the air. In fact, the poems provide the much-needed literary breath of fresh air to Iloduba’s reading audience.

Some of the titles in the collection include Hiding Place, Remember, She that will Come, Memories, Bondage, Buchi, Distance, Breathless and Twilight.

Others are Untitled, Mid-night eyes, Tattoo, A Time to Love, Till the end of Forever, Without You, Yesterday, Plea, She that will Come, I wait as well as the title poem, Damnation, which appears in three separate topics.

From the first title Damnation, the poet seems to be in a state of fear. His fears, as could be deducted from most of the poems, hinge on the possibility of losing a loved one. Thus, he pleads with the character not to consider an option of quitting the relationship for according to him, the burden would be too heavy to bear.

It reads: “Do not look at me in the eyes and say goodbye. I am not strong; I have no hold over myself.

“…thus, do not look me in the eye and say goodbye. I am not strong; I have no hold over myself. I cannot live without you”.

The poet’s infatuation reaches the climax in Ready to Die. He could no longer cope with the bliss in his woman’s eyes, the pining in her heart and smirk that ripens on her face.

“For desire’s sake, for passion’s sake and for love’s sake, I am dying”, he notes.

In the poem, Buchi, he exalts the addressee, Buchi. Although, there is no link between Buchi and Damnation, reading across the lines suggests that even though the poet is yet to fully comprehend the personality, he is already infatuated about her. He goes on to describe her as one whose silken breath fondles his cheeks and whose destiny etched on his heart.

“I see her face in every flower. I smell her fragrance in the cool evening wind. Her un-heard of voice vibrates in my dreams.

“Whose arrival is this that my heart awaits? Whose reason is this that is showing insignia? Whose time is this that the wind sings of? Who is it, who is it? Who is it?”

Whoever it is that the poet sees in the blue moon, that he perceives in every flower and feels in an empty air, should note that abandoning him would definitely lead him to a place of damnation.

Also, the poem, Remember shows evidence of a one-time intimacy between the poet and the addressee. He reminisces the bond they once shared and urges her to think about their lives together and things they still have to share in future.

“Remember us. Remember the lips that have known your kisses, the eyes that have beheld your reflection and the arms that held you in the moonlight, when no one is around.

“Remember the nose that reddened in the smoke of your passion. Remember why in our hearts, there will always be something to burn”.

Another interesting title is Buchi 111. The Poet unequivocally declares his commitment to the relationship between him and Buchi and promises to be steadfast irrespective of any circumstance. Here, the image of seasons of the year finds perfect expression: “In spring, in summer, in winter, she is the one I love.”

The publication makes an interesting reading for several reasons; the quality of print and the ability to control grammatical and typographical errors top the list. The poems are also delivered in simple everyday English language that will not pose any challenge to an average user of English.

While some poems in the collection are long, others are very short without distorting the poet’s message.

Although, he, sometimes, attempts at hiding the meaning of some titles, majority is within the understanding of average lover of poems.

The book is divided into 50 pages while the cover, a female figure in a love zone, speaks volume of what delights the poet’s heart and soul.