In a world of conflict and division, poet and activist Pelumi Olatinpo taps into the power of poetry to cut through the noise and focus attention on oppression, violence, the plight of undocumented immigrants, racism, hatred and the urgent need for change. In his groundbreaking collection, POETA: Sonetas and Sonnets (TogetherInWitness; September 17, 2024), Olatinpo offers a searing exploration of what it means to be human in the 21st century, using an electrifying new poetic language: the soneta.
In POETA, Olatinpo draws on his experiences to explore the struggles of immigrants, the brutal reality of racism and other outrage issues. His tool for raising awareness is the soneta. This is what makes this poetic form not only innovative but genuinely revolutionary:
• Brevity and Impact: In six lines, with a maximum of 10 words per line, the soneta distills raw emotion and complex ideas, demanding the reader’s full attention.
• Versatility: From war and oppression to love and resilience, the soneta confronts the full spectrum of human experience.
• A Weapon for Change: The soneta’s intensity makes it the perfect tool to expose injustice, spark dialogue and inspire action.
• Bridging Divides: The soneta invites blending languages and cultures, promoting understanding and connection in a fractured world.
Unfolding across six movements, POETA paints a visceral and unflinching portrait of our world, weaving a thread of urgency and hope:
“Monsoon”: Chaos and destruction mirror the fragility of life.
“Wildfire”: A blazing confrontation of racism, oppression, poverty and hate.
“Drought”: The relentless horrors of war, including the war in Gaza, and their senseless toll.
“Eclipse”: A chilling descent into darkness and despair.
“Blossom”: The struggle toward redemption, rebirth and freedom.
“Prisma”: A traditional sonnet form offering a kaleidoscopic meditation on love and the possibility of salvation.
Urging readers to dialogue with poetry, POETA provides a compelling exploration of immigration, injustices, war and other issues that touch the core of humanity.
About the Poet
Pelumi Olatinpo is a poet, sociopolitical writer, tech entrepreneur and activist. Born in Nigeria in 1983, he came to America at age 15 as an undocumented immigrant across the Canadian border via speedboat. In 2005, despite his lack of papers, he earned his certification as a licensed practical nurse (LPN). Thanks to President Obama’s DACA program, he became an American citizen in 2022. Pelumi co-founded a technology consulting services company, AlphaHill, and serves as a county executive-appointed commissioner on the Montgomery County (Maryland) Intra-Agency Commission on Homelessness. He lives in Washington, D.C., with his wife and two children.