Poem - "Not My Business" Niyi Osundare
NOT MY BUSINESS
They picked Akanni up one morning
Beat him soft like clay
And stuffed him down the belly
Of a waiting jeep.
What business of mine is it
So long they don’t take the yam
From my savouring mouth?
They came one night
Booted the whole house awake
And dragged Danladi out,
Then off to a lengthy absence.
What business of mine is it
So long they don’t take the yam
From my savouring mouth?
Chinwe went to work one day
Only to find her job was gone:
No query, no warning, no probe –
Just one neat sack for a stainless record.
What business of mine is it
So long they don’t take the yam
From my savouring mouth?
And then one evening
As I sat down to eat my yam
A knock on the door froze my hungry hand.
The jeep was waiting on my bewildered lawn
Waiting, waiting in its usual silence.
They picked Akanni up one morning
Beat him soft like clay
And stuffed him down the belly
Of a waiting jeep.
What business of mine is it
So long they don’t take the yam
From my savouring mouth?
They came one night
Booted the whole house awake
And dragged Danladi out,
Then off to a lengthy absence.
What business of mine is it
So long they don’t take the yam
From my savouring mouth?
Chinwe went to work one day
Only to find her job was gone:
No query, no warning, no probe –
Just one neat sack for a stainless record.
What business of mine is it
So long they don’t take the yam
From my savouring mouth?
And then one evening
As I sat down to eat my yam
A knock on the door froze my hungry hand.
The jeep was waiting on my bewildered lawn
Waiting, waiting in its usual silence.
Annotating text
Copy the text into the middle of your notes, leaving space either side to write notes on.
(Copy into notes)
1. Clarification: this poem is based on politics/ the ruling government of the time, not gangs as many of you thought. Find the evidence to support this and copy into your notes.
2. Write a full paragraph explaining/ detailing/ analysing YOUR PERSONAL RESPONSE to this poem.
How has it changed/ challenged/ supported your perspective/views?
3. Write a full paragraph explaining/ detailing/ analysing THE MESSAGE OSUNDARE MAKES in this poem. How does it change/ challenge/ support your perspective/views? Use evidence "quotes" and make reference to the language features.
4. If Akanni, Danladi, or Chinwe were your neighbours and you saw this happen, think about what your honest response would be. Fight or flight? Outraged for them or frightened for your family? Write down what you think you and your family would do.
What are the risks and possible consequences of your actions?
Does thinking about this (empathising) change your views about the Narrator?
Do you dis/agree with Narrator's actions?
- what is it?
- why?
- how?
- Your turn, my turn, our turn.
Copy the text into the middle of your notes, leaving space either side to write notes on.
(Copy into notes)
1. Clarification: this poem is based on politics/ the ruling government of the time, not gangs as many of you thought. Find the evidence to support this and copy into your notes.
2. Write a full paragraph explaining/ detailing/ analysing YOUR PERSONAL RESPONSE to this poem.
How has it changed/ challenged/ supported your perspective/views?
3. Write a full paragraph explaining/ detailing/ analysing THE MESSAGE OSUNDARE MAKES in this poem. How does it change/ challenge/ support your perspective/views? Use evidence "quotes" and make reference to the language features.
4. If Akanni, Danladi, or Chinwe were your neighbours and you saw this happen, think about what your honest response would be. Fight or flight? Outraged for them or frightened for your family? Write down what you think you and your family would do.
What are the risks and possible consequences of your actions?
Does thinking about this (empathising) change your views about the Narrator?
Do you dis/agree with Narrator's actions?