Analysis of Prayer in Africa



In an ascending tone the words resonated
Of prayer rendered for the congregation
As the prophet’s voice gonged the woofers
They repeated the words: die, die
Who is to die, for Satan has his time?
His eyes are fixed hard on what only hearts
Can see, shouting:
Pray, pray congregation pray

Coming from close behind, compelling songs
In symphony from modern Islam Sheikh;
Melodiously rendered to all-in-white set of people
Resounded by his assistant sonorously
They sang back, followed by-
“all evil ones… rise no more” perish, perish
Where are the evil ones, for there is judgment?
A day set for them to be in aljannah

They pray, the traditionalists pray
To what only hearts can see while dead-
Oracle that represents folk-tale elements of nature.
Rolling, squatting and leaping around
Casting spirits to oblivion yonder, yonder
What are the spirits’ conveyor, until end of age?
The shrine frontier surrounded in candles
Throws four cowries on sand, in order to see tomorrow

Still they pray, the sounds are synchronizing
With former’s hands pressed on their heads,
Those in white robes’ got pressed against them by wind,
And latter's knees touch the living sand-

Whilst, another set of highlife-rs
Close-by boast at beer parlor;
Others drinking palm wine and pepper soup.
Still they pray..
On and on they pray.


Scheme XABCXXDE XXFFCXXA EXGXGXXX DXXX BGXEE
Poetic Form
Metre 01010101100 111010010 101011010 10100111 1111110111 1111111101 1110 110101 1011010101 0100110011 11011011110 1110101 111101 11011111010 11010111110 011111101 11001001 111011111 10010111100110 101001001 1010101001010 1101001001111 0101010010 1110110101101 111011100 1111111 10111101111 010110101 10101111 1111110 1010110101 111 10111
Closest metre Iambic pentameter
Characters 1,331
Words 235
Sentences 7
Stanzas 5
Stanza Lengths 8, 8, 8, 4, 5
Lines Amount 33
Letters per line (avg) 32
Words per line (avg) 7
Letters per stanza (avg) 209
Words per stanza (avg) 44

About this poem

This poem came on me to check the notion some Africans have concerning prayer: They so much seems to trust in their religious leaders more than their Maker they're been led to pray to. Some of these spiritual leaders gazette religious programs to members' working hours reducing their productive time. This has led to proliferation of various religious centers: be it Christianity, Islam, or Traditionalist. Not opposing prayer nor any religion, but to watch as we pray!

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Written on July 27, 2022

Submitted by Adetoys on November 17, 2022

Modified on March 05, 2023

1:10 min read
0

Adeolu Solomon Akinosun

My name is Adeolu Akinosun, with pen name @Adetoys. I studied Electrical engineering at the polytechnic and Psychology in the university. Love to write about something each day, so I authored a poetic book titled "the art of knowing what matters for early-life purposeful reflection", the first in the series, while the 2nd is coming soon (Prayer in Africa is to be released heretofore); I'm a father of four children by my wonderful friend and wife, Olawumi Abake! more…

All Adeolu Solomon Akinosun poems | Adeolu Solomon Akinosun Books

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