It's No Longer A Game

This classic collection of 50 intelligently crafted poems is a rare yet authentic expression of the poet's keen sense of observation. The poet uses commonplace words and phrases in new ways that persuade the reader to agree with the inferences, conclusions or observations he makes. The poems span a wide range of themes, yet each poem stands out distinct from the others and remains embedded in your mind clamouring for an outlet. Social issues, among them, love, hate, politics, hope, pride, innocence - or lack thereof - are tackled with such skill and novelty that leaves you deep in thought. These poems speak at multiple levels, and it is to the poet's credit that the underlying meanings are hidden in plain sight. The poet invites the reader to reflect on what they have just read by posing critical questions at the end. In the poem Old Man In The City, he asks "did he plant in unyielding soil?" while in The Machine, the question is whether we should "be surprised if we are replaced?" In A Battle of Wits, the rhetoric question "was it worth it this intellectual gymnastics?" demands an answer from the reader. Powerful and prominent "closing statements" are used in some poems to link the title to the closing statement. In Cul-De-Sac we are "surprised by the suddenness of it all" yet "it'snot an ambush!" and in the Book of Past Glory, it's obviously "the oldest trick in the book!"Religion is addressed by "the preacher's bellowing voice" inRapture, and caution, in The Shepherd, that even if the "rod speaks to them" the shepherd should not "divert from the holy path lest you saddle your sheep with doubt" The contentious issue of politics is subtly interrogated in the Masquerade "dancing and raising dust till dusk", while the "sound of the skinless African drum" signals the time to vote. Other poems such as The Village Outcast and The Rain Man poke fun at politicians and their followers, and people's lack of wisdom in general. But, It's No Longer A Game because children immigrate and are "subjected to servitude for respectability back home." Drunkenness and alcohol abuse is tackled in Behind The Bottle and Bacchanalian Revels, while death is uncovered in the Last Call. The Parasite takes a snide look at capitalism, but there is still hope and rejuvenation in Sprouts, and in It Can Be Done as we "sing the song of hope, a harbinger of eternity." The masterpieceTariro is a laidback piece that brings death, tribute, loss and hope into the melting pot where the poet himself grapples with the issues of his loss - the death of his father, Tariro. Tariro means hope. Why don't you buckle up and take a stroll down our street? Hope Street. FOREWORD This is a classic collection written in a carefree style. Traditional writing rules were thrown through the window of imagination to express rage, love, pain and appreciation. Reading through this collection one will be carried away by the bursting emotions, walk in a sombre step of loss, and rejuvenated by the hope created. Poetry is meant for performance. It's just how vividly effective this collection can be in the hands of the poet on a stage that set apart Tryson Sairai from his peers in this genre. The poet was able to assert himself with the varying life realities in a unique and peculiar writing style. Any reader will fall in love with the didactic approach to how our life's cruel realities such as death were treated. The poet carried his poetic licence with conviction as he was able to use it to reach out to varying audiences.