This was requested when I first found out about NetGalley and I had requested so many ARCs that I could not get to all of them before they were archived. I really wanted to get to this one, as it seemed interesting. If I can find this somewhere for a reasonable price, I will try to get it! I am giving this book three stars, as I don't want to give it a good or bad rating, since I did not get to it and we have to leave a star rating.

Captivating, thoughtful and opening the doorway of the heart for reflection, the latest anthology of poetry from multiply award winning author Tolu’ A. Akinyemi (also known as Tolutoludo & the Lion of Newcastle), The Morning Cloud is Empty is a beautiful offering at a time when reflection is required in life, to be able to make sense out of the world in which we live.
Laying bare his innermost thoughts, Tolu captures the very essence of life in simple clear prose which has a very wide appeal; from the lover of poetry to the lover of words. It will also reach out touch those who enjoy a simple moment of contemplation and encouragement in the course of their day.
Tolu considers himself as a walking human library and as the pages of the anthology turn, piece by piece, little by little, his immense skill with the use of words underline this truth. In parts reflective, in parts full outrage and in others offering quirky moments of the ridiculousness of life in general, The Morning Cloud is Empty offers a fascinating look at one man’s view of the world.
Anthologies are not made to sit and read in one period of time, but to be discovered page by page, allowing the words to settle, to create the image of the poet, as in the opening verse of Float where you are invited to ‘’float through the immaculate corridors’. These words need to be supped slowly to enjoy the words, the patterns, the visions created.
The somewhat ironic The Morning Cloud is Empty is something we have all faced when we ponder, just what are we doing with this life. Further on, we come to the second offering where he soaks in the serenity of the temple of silence, the day has moved along.
Supreme irony is addressed in the third offering, as Omicron arrives to taunt and destroy, South Africa is once again in the news for no good reason and life, as it always does, continues.
Dataset is reflective of the modern world where we have, regardless of what is said, become not a lot more than part of an algorithm besieged by ‘incessant notifications’. How very true.
But the very small but beautiful Autumn, leaves behind a feeling of hope that once again the leaves will fall, the air will become crisp with the heralding of Winter and the Spring is to be looked towards as a fresh beginning.
So many pieces’ makeup The Morning Cloud is Empty, all delightful, all full of meaning and many laced with a wry sense of the ridiculousness of humanity, which makes for interesting reading, a lot of enjoyment and huge amount to ponder and consider.

My 5th poetry book by the author.

This book is an exploration of the inner world of man, the emotion and the heart. The poet laid bare his varying musings with sharp and deliberate words; lines peppered with poetic riches.
The themes explored by the poems in this collection are many, but one thing ties them together; and that's the poet's intuitive ability to vividly dissect each idea.
The poet keeps proving himself capable of donning many hats, but if there's one thing that's exceptional about this collection, it's the simple but astute use of language.

I really don't know why nobody likes to read good poetry book? I simply love his work although had a hard time reading this particular book because oh my God! there's been some heavy literary language. I was reading and looking up the meaning for few but that doesn't stopped me from reading your book. I devoured reading this and read at one sitting. People won't believe me either that I almost took screenshots of every pages. Tolu A Akinyemi you did a marvelous job.

Highly recommended.

Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.

Thank you @netgalley @theroaringlionnewcastle for the #arc in exchange for a honest review.

Such strong emotion is contained in the collection. The subject is so relevant to the world’s current struggles.

The Morning Cloud is Empty
By Tolu’ A. Akinyemi
The Roaring Lion Newcastle
Publication date: 3/1/23
Poetry

The Morning Cloud is Empty is Tolu’ A. Akinyemi’s 14th poetry publication, and it is the first time I’ve read his work. He was born in Nigeria and now lives in the UK.

The author covered so many universal aspects of the human experience. I felt the rage the author feels when writing about climate change, poverty and the cost of living, regrets, love and the agony it can cause, the effects of the pandemic and the ways in which we destroy Mother Nature.

Truly an impassioned and ardent exploration into some very heavy and important topics of today.

Thanksgiving to NetGalley, The Roaring Lion Newcastle, and @ToluToludo for the opportunity to read and review this work.