Elére-Ọmọ | Òjó Adésojí Rufus | Poetry

Elére-Ọmọ

(in memory of my late cousin, Adijat Arogundade)

In secret realms, a bond takes hold,
A girl child, betrothed, her fate unfold.
To Ọkọ Ọ̀run, mystic king and guide,
A spiritual tie, only whispers provide.

Ọkọ Ọ̀run's whispers weave a gentle spell,
Claiming her heart, where love and duty dwell.
Elére-Ọmọ's soul, a battleground lies,
Torn between earthly love and heavenly ties.

On earth, she walks, with feet of clay,
Married to man, in worldly way.
Yet, her heart yearns for another sphere,
A mystical bond, beyond mortal fear.

Her earthly husband, loving and kind,
Seeks her love, but finds a distant mind.
He searches her eyes, for a love so true,
But finds instead, a heart torn anew.

Her parents sorrow, as they behold,
Their daughter's heart, no longer to mold.
They see the signs, of a spiritual strife,
A battle waged, between two worlds' life.

Elére-Ọmọ's power, a mystery to behold,
Leaves herbalists, with spells, to unfold.
A force so strong, yet hidden from sight,
A spiritual wife, in endless fight.

Unseen forces tug at her soul,
A tug-of-war, between two worlds' control.
Her time, predetermined, unknown to all,
A promise kept, with a spiritual call.

As her departure draws near,
Elére-Ọmọ's heart, with anguish clears.
A goodbye, unspoken, yet understood,
A sacrifice, to the gods above, in love.

A story whispered, in hushed tones told,
Of a girl child, with a spirit sold.
A spiritual sorority, of enduring love,
Elére-Ọmọ's tragic fate, from above.

– Òjó Adésojí Rufus

About “Elére-Ọmọ”

“Elére-Ọmọ” is a philosophically charged poem that delves into the intricate complexities of spirituality, love, and destiny. This masterpiece weaves a narrative that transcends the boundaries of the physical and spiritual realms, expertly exploring the tensions between the earthly and mystical spheres.

The poem tells the story of Elére-Ọmọ, a very young woman who is betrothed to Ọkọ Ọ̀run, a mystic king and guide, in a spiritual realm. This bond is forged in secret, with whispers that only the initiated can hear, as evident in the lines “In secret realms, a bond takes hold, / A girl child, betrothed, her fate unfold” (lines 1-2). The use of the word “whispers” here underscores the mysterious and esoteric nature of this spiritual bond.

As Elére-Ọmọ navigates her earthly life, she is torn between her love and duty to her earthly husband and her spiritual obligations to Ọkọ Ọ̀run. This inner conflict is beautifully captured in the lines “Her soul, a battleground lies, / Torn between earthly love and heavenly ties” (lines 9-10). The image of the soul as a battleground effectively conveys the intensity of Eléré-Ọmọ’s emotional struggle.

Throughout the poem, Adésojí employs imagery and symbolism to explore the intersections between the physical and spiritual worlds. For instance, the line “Ọkọ Ọ̀run’s whispers weave a gentle spell, / Claiming her heart, where love and duty dwell” (lines 5-6) suggests the powerful and enchanting nature of spiritual love. The use of the word “spell” here implies a deep and abiding connection that transcends the mundane.

The poem also raises important questions about the nature of love, spirituality, and the human condition. Elére-Ọmọ’s story is a powerful metaphor for the human experience, where individuals must navigate the complexities of love, duty, and destiny. As Adésojí so eloquently puts it, “Her time, predetermined, unknown to all, / A promise kept, with a spiritual call” (lines 25-26). These lines underscore the idea that our lives are shaped by forces beyond our control, and that our destinies are often intertwined with spiritual obligations.

Dedicated to the memory of the poet’s late cousin, Adijat Arogundade, “Elére-Ọmọ” is a deeply personal and emotional work that explores the complexities of love, loss, and spirituality. Finally, “Elére-Ọmọ” is a tragic love story that raises important questions about the human condition.

Join Our Social Media Channels:

• WhatsApp: Literature PADI
• Telegram: Literature PADI
• YouTube: @literaturepadi
• Facebook: Literature PADI