Ode to Books

by Sola Owolabi, in Commemoration of the World Book Day

Pieces of letters unite as words

Transforming into sentences, woven as chords

As the eyes scan and brood the words

Peasants and servants change to Lords

From the pages of books, conquering their world

Oh books, on you, daily we brood

Begging fools to turn to books

Freeing them from ignorance’s hooks

Filling their minds with knowledge as food

Luxury emerging from woods

As knowledge prevails

Teaching us this life’s details

Piercing barriers with wisdom's nails

We are sure not to derail

Books, on you we brood

With you, we’re no longer crude

Though the ignorant construes we’re rude

Just because we’re off the garments of fools

Thanks to books that schooled!

About the Author

Sola Emmanuel Owolabi is a Reading Habit Expert, Life Coach, Librarian, Playwright, Poet and Entrepreneur. He is currently a Lecturer and Librarian at Bells University of Technology, Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria. He's also a researcher at the Digital Society School, Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences, Netherlands. Before venturing into education he has worked with United Bank for Africa, KPMG Professional Services and Synergy Sparks. He has over 42 publications covering journal articles, chapters in books and conference papers. He speaks at conferences, seminars and workshops in Nigeria and other parts of the world. He is the Nigerian Representative for the Global Vision Manchester, United Kingdom. He's an alumnus of the Digital Society School, Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences, Netherlands. He is at the vanguard of youth reformation and orientation in Nigeria. He deploys the use of Bibliotherapy and Cinematherapy to educate young people on several issues relating to peer pressure, drug abuse, illicit sex, illiteracy, social media addiction and several others. He is the author of the Library Boy, a book that is circulating in Nigeria with over 10,000 copies already sold. He has produced three cinematherapy movies (the Crash, Rusticated and Happening Babes on Campus). He is married to Dr. Ayotunde Olayinka Owolabi who is also a Lecturer. They are blessed with godly children.