"I wasn't Born a Writer, Poetry is something I developed" - Poet, Taiwo Balogun

*   Can we meet you?

My name is Taiwo Akinsanmi BALOGUN, an indigene of Ipe Akoko, Ondo state. I am a law undergraduate in Adekunle Ajasin University and currently the Associate Editor Legal Kekenke Media Organization. I am a writer but majors in poetry.

*   For you, is Poetry inbuilt or something you developed?

For me, I wasn't born a writer, so I will say that poetry is something I developed, and my love for brevity and paucity made me go into poetry rather than other genre.

*   How and When did you start as a Poet?

I wrote my first poem in 2014 in Access Bank premises at Oba Akran, Ikeja, Lagos. The poem was inspired by a sick friend of mine(Priscilla). The poem was entitled "ODE TO A SICK PAL." thereafter I wrote few incomplete works. I became active sometime in August 2017 during the ASUU strike.

*   How has Poetry been so far and do you just write poems during your leisure hours for pleasure or you intend becoming a full-time poet now or in the nearest future?

As a student, I write when I am free, I really can't say I do it for pleasure, because I also, like others believe that poetry can be used as a tool to change the world, our country to be specific. As per whether I want to go into it full time, I will like to say that poetry unlike under genre can play a second fiddle. But I will say that I will be active as long as I'm inspired.

*   What else do you do apart from writing poems?

Apart from poetry, I do sports, play football. I also engage in extra curricula activities like chamber activities and others that I won't be able to mention.

*   What perception about  Poetry do you want to change in this modern day society that we live in? And what innovations are you planning to bring into Poetry?

The one and only perception that I would love to change about poetry especially for poet is that "credence should be given to simplicity rather than obscurity." Some poets believe writing in obscurity is what make them a good poet or bad.
As for innovation, hmm! I am still learning the trade, so time will tell whether or not there will be innovation(s) from me.

*   What are the challenges you face as a Poet that you think other Poets might also be facing and what is your advice for fellow Poets?

It is called the writer's block, but I conceive it as the "sleeping ink", this is when a poet can no longer drink from the fountain of muse, and decides to rest his benign sword. The only advise is that they should keep writing, because that's the only way to keep the ink flowing.

*   What kind of Poems do you write? Is it about love, Liberation/Slavery, Oldies, Words of Wisdom...I mean, what is the major theme for your poems or you just write about just anything (General Purpose Poems or as the spirit leads😀)?

Let me say I am a man of the spirit☺. From my works I can infer that I am a satirist, and didactic poet. Although I still write on other subject matter.

*   From your works, it is obvious that you are vast in the use of the numerous poetic devices, so where do you see yourself in the next five to ten years?

Poetic devices cum figures of speech is the tool of a poet. I will say I am to a reasonable extent. ☺
Since this conversation is "poem-centric", I see myself as a published poet, and works in anthologies.

*   How does anyone who would like to read more of your poems read them or better still contact you? What are your Social Media handles like your facebook page and Instagram ID, Twitter Handle?

IG @iam_barlowh
Facebook: Balogun Taiwo
Most of my works are on Facebook though.

Olagbende Rebecca's Blog:   Thank you very much for granting us an interview with you...May God give u more inspiration to write more Poems.

Amen, and thanks for having me...