Book Review: Besaydoo by Yalie Saweda Kamara

 

Besaydoo is a collection of poems. I've always believed that poems are a lot like art. They are very subjective, open to many interpretations and deeply personal. They hold secrets within their lines, so you really need to pay attention when reading. This collection of poems fits right into that idea. Yalie Saweda Kamara is a Sierra Leonean American writer, poet, researcher and educator. I love how she weaves her culture and language into her writing. It gives the book such a unique blend and I was curious. I had no idea what Besaydoo means and I wanted to find out. 

When I read "Ode," it felt like a love story to me, with the lover compared to all these different delicacies, the narrator’s favorite things.

Lines like this really hit me:

You are the friendliest outsider I’ve ever

known. When I squint my eyes, you still

look like the color of my fingers.  

How could you not be mine?

That's deep. Then there's "Space," which gave me a sense of tragedy, almost like a cry for help. But one of my favorites has to be Eating Malambo Fruit in Freetown, 1989. It felt so warm, reminded me of my siblings, especially my sister. The love and bond between sisters shined through. It was just beautiful.

"Duttybox" left me confused, though. I honestly have no idea what the poet was getting at, but it felt unsettling. "Resurrection" was personal and heartbreaking, touching on the poet's grandmother's death. You could feel the pain between the lines. "Grab Bag May (1998)" took me right back to high school, making me think about my old Biology teacher, Mrs. Osafiana. She was frail and old but always seemed to have it all together. She used to say things like, "bring your prom dates to class, don’t go to the basketball court." This poem had me walking down memory lane.

This part stuck out to me:

"I needed Ms. Smith too for what she might

not be able to give—a voice to fight

the fear of all the flowers sprouting within

me,  words to battle any hands trying to

uproot me before my season.  

That week we thirsted for a grown woman

whose water might help save our tiny

lives."

It reminded me of my late English teacher, Mrs. Ndu, who was just like an angel. I still remember very well what she told me the day she offered me help with something that confused me. She was a sweet person. This poem stirred up so many emotions, making me reflect on the good old days when life was sweet and carefree. Now, I'm having mixed feelings about continuing the book.

The poem "Because my mother said don't do this, you must know" was hilarious. Aunty X in the poem reminded me of my cousin, who I thought was the definition of beauty as a child. Even now, she’s still stunning. Some poems felt like old memories. Familiar but distant. They reminded me of the harmattan season. Dry and dusty. One poem I really love is "Mouthful." It made me think of my mother’s unconditional love. This poem Listening to Nina Simone Sing 'Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues' gives a whole lot of feminine vibe. I couldn't help but play the song and sing along. It felt good. Her deep, rich and soulful voice set the tone for the rest of the book for me. You see, I love Nina Simone, so when the poet wrote:

"You, Aunty Nina, are an ever-ready

synonym for Polaris. Meta-raconteuse,  

you dive into the marrow of the marrow of

a story."

I just wanted to give the writer a hug because I totally get it. Nina Simone's voice carries a lot of emotion and her words are very deep. It just has this very unique mix of strength and vulnerability. When she sings, her voice can be powerful and commanding, but also soft and smooth. Just like these poems, carrying stories very familiar, very vulnerable yet they feel far away. They tell tales of old. Something forgotten. 

I think every girl will love "In the Year that the Trash Took Itself Out." That poem was everything. The line:

"You always did smell like you had 

something to hide: when the stench of your

apple spice lotion and hunger lifted from

around me, I learned to taste again

Before I could ask why you disappeared, I

saw a note on the door: you confessed

that God made a lightning rod of

your intestines every time you smiled

at me while wishing to offer

my breath as hallowed sacrifice to

your wreckage."

That hit hard. When something has overstayed its welcome, the stench is awful. It's also very unhealthy so be wary and observe keenly. I had a real “yay” moment there. Some other poems were hard to understand, especially those with Sierra Leonean words. Some seemed to hold meanings only the poet knows and I love it for her. It's very admirable.

Lastly, "Mother's Rule" hit home:

If you see me praying in the living room,

never sit in front of me. You are not God.  

Try to learn the language of your lover

and his family.....

If anyone stares at you for too long

(more than 5 seconds), start speaking 

an imaginary language while maintaining

eye contact.

It gave me something to really think about.  However, this book is a bit complex, and the poems aren’t exactly straightforward. You’ll need a good level of discernment to figure out some of the meanings. There were times I had to read certain poems more than once to get them, and even then, there were moments I still didn’t fully understand. I ended up assuming the author might be talking to herself, like an intimate letter she wrote for her own reflection. I think that’s part of the beauty. So, you’ll need some patience and kindness while reading. If you’re someone who’s patient, loves family, enjoys deep thinking, and appreciates the power of words, I’ll definitely recommend this book. It is filled with themes of family love, culture, and memories from the past.