About Me 18/19
Often times, I want to make my work stylistic enough to live up to the expectations of many that went before me.
I find myself wanting to fill shoes that are simply not my style. Too big, too small.
But I realized something. This is about me. And that is all it needs to be. Is this a prose piece? A poem? I don’t know.
But that’s me. I don’t know who I am. But I like me.
So I’m going to be very literal.
I’m a loving fire, a monochrome rainbow, a sunny night, a windless storm, a dark lightbulb, a glowing shadow.
I am a daughter, a sister, a friend, a lover, a queen, a goddess, a fort, a baby, a warrior, a flame, a woman.
I am Farinloye, I am Ijesha, I am Yoruba, I am Nigerian, I am African.
I am also from Missisauga, from Oakville, from Milton, from Calgary.
I like to believe I’m fearless, although that is my greatest fear. Having no fear at all.
I like to believe I’m powerful, although that’s mere truth. I am powerful.
I like to believe I’m beautiful, only because people say so. I’m yet to see it myself.
I like to believe I’m healed. Broken glass put together with love.
I am a passionate woman. I fight for everything I love without thinking. I’m the greatest defender.
People often say it as a joke, but I would actually take a bullet for someone.
I make jokes that I’m not Jesus and I’m not here to die for anyone. But I actually would. Take a bullet I mean, one I’d survive.
This is post currently unfinished. Because I am a work in progress. A masterpiece in herself.
February 27, 2019 at 9:29 pm
Dearest Tolu,
I love your style of writing! You write like you are having a conversation with yourself; it is beautiful. There is a certain determination in your “I” phrases that exude an energy that empowers your reader. This piece is a representation of that power– your power!
For improvement, I would only wish that you wrote a little bit more to reach that required minimum of words. I am sure that we would love to get to know more about you and would love to be inspired further by your unique ideas.
Always remember that you need not be anything more than the best version of yourself. The Tolu that I know is powerful, strong, and beautiful. A masterpiece in herself.
With infinite love,
Jed
March 7, 2019 at 9:40 pm
Dear Jed,
I am grateful that I am able to inspire you. I will definitely take this into my next writing piece. Thank you very much. I cannot wait for what the rest of this semester holds for us.
With love,
Tolu
February 27, 2019 at 9:54 pm
Dear Tolu,
I truly connect with this piece and understand how you feel, especially in regards to the first line. You were honest in this, and real as well, and what you described spoke to me. Your metaphors are creative, the contrast within them something unique, and I found myself inspired after seeing them.
My only advice would be to focus on your flow. There is some choppiness with periods that confused me slightly as I was reading, though if that was a stylistic choice, then ignore this.
Overall, I loved this, and took inspiration from it. I would love to read more of your work, as I feel you have a story to tell and a point to make.
Sincerely,
Tony
March 7, 2019 at 9:43 pm
Dear Tony,
I am very glad I was able to touch your soul so intently. Yes, it was a stylistic choice, but it seems to be confusing to everybody except me. So, I will try to minimize it in the future. Once again, I am thankful.
With love,
Tolu
March 1, 2019 at 6:21 pm
Dear Tolu,
If this poem doesn’t scream your name, then I don’t know what does. This is a pure reflection of the great Tolu that I know, with some things I learned about you too!
I love the way your poem was contradicting itself where you said you were ¨a loving fire, a monochrome rainbow, a sunny night, a windless storm, a dark light bulb, a glowing shadow.¨ I love the way it sounded in your poem and how it also related to me in a way, or at least I´m just telling myself that. There is not much to improve on here other than to make it a little longer because I loved the flow you were going on and would love to see it continue, but you stated that you would be continuing it, so I am looking forward to reading it again.
I cannot wait to read more form you this semester Tolu, because your work is truly an inspiration to me! I also just wanted to add that I am loving your theme this year for your blog!
Love,
Sarah (:
March 7, 2019 at 9:47 pm
My dear Sarah,
I am so happy to be writing with you once more. I am glad I was able to inspire you again. I will continue to update this post and make it longer, because like I said “This post is currently unfinished”. Thank you so much.
With love,
Tolu
March 3, 2019 at 7:11 pm
Dear Tolu,
Even though we only really got know each other from the start of the semester, I can say that you are a person with qualities that makes you admired by many.
When I was reading through this it was hard for me to believe that this was actually you – the Tolu that I know. Beneath the glass, you have shown me cracks and crevices that I never knew existed in you. The line, “I like to believe I’m beautiful, only because people say so. I’m yet to see it myself” was amazing, and I’d like to say that sometimes we can’t see the special qualities in ourselves that others see in us. I like the transitions from what you believe yourself to be to who you really are.
For improvement, although your repeated use of periods at the start may have been a stylistic choice, I think that it would sound more unified if you joined sentences together and tried replacing some periods with commas.
Overall, your writing has this powerful yet gentle quality, which is why I can’t wait to read your future pieces.
Sincerely,
Abhay
March 7, 2019 at 9:50 pm
My dear Abhay,
I am excited to get to know you as not only are you a charming young man, you are an excellent writer. I am glad I could let you know more about me in a different way. And yes, the periods were a stylistic choice. But I seem to be the only one understanding it, so I might have to change some things. However, I am excited to get to know you better. Can’t wait for what this semester holds for us.
With love,
Tolu.
March 4, 2019 at 12:39 am
Dear Tolu,
When I first started to read your about me I was already amazed. I understand how you feel especially in second line. For improvement you could write more like what you like to do. Overall I feel like I already know you even though we never talked before.
Sincerely,
Arham
March 7, 2019 at 9:52 pm
Dear Arham,
Thank you very much. I’m glad I could inspire you. If you come back in a few weeks, you will see that I have added to this post, because I intend to add more about myself. I’m excited to work with you!
Sincerely,
Tolu.
March 4, 2019 at 1:00 am
Dear Toto,
I love the style of this piece as well as the aesthetic of your blog. I feel like it adds so much more to the piece in a subtle way.
Personally, I would love to read more about you and get to know you better than I do, so I wish there was a little bit more written.
I’m so proud of your development as a writer and I’m beyond excited to read more of your work.
Love,
Jatinpal
March 7, 2019 at 9:54 pm
My dearest Jatin,
It is my pleasure to write with you again. You are a lovely person. I will continue to add more to this post as time progresses. I’m excited for this semester as well. I love you kiddo.
With love,
Tolu