“A romantic celebration of childhood innocence, the type reflected in the Wordsworthian master-quote, ‘The child is the father of the man’. But as the child’s consciousness grows, it is intermittently pummelled, gashed, and stitched by the harsh realities of the society—anarchy, war, rape, grief, failed dreams, depression etc. Amid the paradox of innocence and guilt, the voice of the persona in Lanre Idowu’s latest poetic offering soars lyrically and didactically, transmitting messages of hope here and hereafter.”—Ben Tomoloju 

“Lanre Idowu’s Songs of Childhood belongs to the ‘Song’ tradition of the legendary Ugandan poet Okot p’Bitek, author of the classic Song of Lawino. Like Okot’s collection of his native Acholi songs and verses in the anthology, The Horn of my Love, Lanre’s Songs of Childhood plumbs the haunting lyrics of Yoruba folklore and English chants by re-entering into the skull of childhood. The riveting renditions are memorable and stimulating.” 

—Uzor Maxim Uzoatu, author of God of Poetry. 

CONTENTS: Song of Welcome/Song of the Train/Song of the Wayfarer/Song of the Winged ones/Song of the metal bird/Song of the monitor-lizard/Song of the Dog catchers/Song of Redemption/Song of the beggars/Song of the fish sellers/Song of the White Wanderer/Laments from Garage 47/Song of the Victim’s friend/Song of Dayspring/Song of a worried mother/Song of a 4-year old/Song for a teen/Song of the failed pianist/Song for my DAD/Song of the soldiers/Ode to Yaba/Song of Nicholas/Song of the shawl bearers/Song of the odd ones/Song of festival lights/Song of the wind/Song of City light