Tolu’ A. Akinyemi’s Dead Dogs Don’t Bark
Reviewed by Realistic Poetry International
Tolu’ A. Akinyemi’s Dead Dogs Don’t Bark is a blend of inspirational and personal
poetry. It brightens the imagination like opening a window to the sun after being closed
up in shadows for a long time. The prose runs smoothly and is fast-paced like song
Lyrics.
Dead Dogs Don’t Bark wakes up the soul from its apathy, so you’ll want to run towards
your dreams.
We all face the problem of procrastination at some point, and not seizing our
opportunities while we have them. Before you know it, years have gone by without any
Accomplishments.
Akinyemi’s collection warns against this, and screams a big “NO” to the thought of
allowing one’s life to be wasted. Life is too precious, even in its sadder moments. You
could say that countering procrastination and living to the fullest you can with what you
have is the book’s main theme.
Though it deals with tough subjects such as losing a loved one, Dead Dogs Don’t Bark
remains lively and encouraging in its messages. I feel it would be a good
recommendation to those who are down and those who are feeling discouraged or burnt
out, to ease that burden a little bit.
Some poems here are gentle and others are like thunderheads chanting. Dead Dogs
Don’t Bark can be quite spiritual, and shows a love and appreciation for other people
and all that they do.
Some strong points are “Sleeping Deity”, “We Can Be the Sunshine”, “Nigeria”,
“Woman”, “Procrastination 2”, and “Yes, You Can”. “Yes, You Can” was a personal
favorite – simple but beautiful.
I really enjoyed the fusion of Nigerian culture into some of the poems, such as “Sleeping
Deity” and “Baba Seventy”, and learning more about them through the author’s
Footnotes.
This collection feels like it was made with a lot of care. Akinyemi’s concepts are very
valuable, relatable and accessible. I admire its mission to strengthen everyone who reads it as well as tell some interesting stories.
Dead Dogs Don’t Break has a great message to get out there, and as we know, just a
brief poem can have the power to make a world of difference.
A five out of five stars.
“Look into the mirror
Rewrite your story
Face your personal demons
Smile like a champion”
-from “Haunted
This book is available for purchase at