Description

Title: Slaying the Wayfarer Author: BM Nagidi Genre: Poetry Synopsis: Slaying the Wayfarer is a lyrical and deeply introspective debut poetry collection that maps the fragile intersections of human innocence, cosmic transition, and societal friction. Moving away from the socio-political polemics of traditional Nigerian poetry, BM Nagidi introduces a distinct metaphysical voice to the contemporary African literary landscape. The collection is anchored in the central metaphor of the "wayfarer"—the human soul navigating an earthly journey. Through a series of tightly woven, conversational poems, Nagidi explores how time, love, and modern society act as quiet executioners, systematically dismantling primal purity. From the architectural, strategic emotional landscapes of his romantic "cupid fort" poems to a haunting, cosmic re-framing of the almajiri crisis in Northern Nigeria, the collection seamlessly yokes raw local realities with universal existential queries. Marked by a gentle, hypnotic rhythm and sharp intellectual wit, Slaying the Wayfarer avoids aggressive posturing. Instead, it offers a deeply philosophical, elegant interrogation of vulnerability, offering a fresh blueprint for modern African verse.