02/04/2026
Poetry Review of Pistol by Edisemi
Posted on X under Roughdraft.Poetry Draft 21— The Art of Us
The poem expresses a heaviness that becomes pain from an overwhelming downpour of feelings. It starts by describing the heaviness, and further reveals what weighs heavily on the poet persona — a feeling of self doubt that negatively overwhelms the confidence of the poet persona. This self doubt is a pain that stems from unproductive actions, and unprecedented lack, despite diligent efforts from the poet persona.
The poem compares this feeling of self doubt to a pistol, confirming it is capable of killing anyone if it consumes. However, the poet persona refuses to be undone by the feeling, despite its overwhelming presence, and instead decides to contain it, not fight or succumb — a show of the poet persona's acceptance of her reality, despite desires for the eradication of the pain.
The poem is a descriptive poem of twenty nine stanzas of unequal lines. The mood is eerily calm despite the pain evident in the tone.
Review by Adesoji Ademola Ibukunolu
