ENIGMA

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  • Emotional

    Poem Commentary

    Few months before my compulsory National Service Year after graduation from university, i had a spate with my dad. in seething anger, i retreated to a spot under a tree with pen and book. this was the result.

    ENIGMA

    I am God

    I am Satan

    Though a nut lacking a shell,

     A worm without its cocoon,

    At a tender age, I lost my shell

    But

    Like Caesar’s bear, tied to the stake

    Though, I braved the machinations of fate

     A colossus, I stood against the tides

     Though the earth shook

    The air thundered

     The lions roared

     And the heavens fell.

     

    I may not have soared with the eagles,

    But I cruised over mountain tops.

     I may not have dined with kings and princes,

     But my table never lacked.

     

    Why! Did i not improve upon my state?

    I took my other self.

     I built a nucleus

    It might not have been perfect,

    Oh! But how enviable it was,

     Each component giving such joy

     

    The mountain no matter how big,

    With centuries is eroded by the ocean’s spray.

    The cotton cloth ignored in the dark,

    Decades later, is but dirty shards eaten by moth.

    When was this sand

    Plastered within the fabrics of my hut

    That the bricks are tumbling before me?

    Is this my fate?

    Were the seeds of this destruction

    Planted

    Or though built with finest bricks they be

    Fall they must?

    For like small irritations in the gut

    Before the forceful vomit,

    I look at my yesterdays

    And wonder at how wrong things have gone.

     

    I can’t see the wrong.

    I see hate in their eyes.

    Their piercing eyes accusatory;

    Like the thief in the night,

    The hand up Mona Lisa’s skirt.

    Trouble has sneaked in and peace has fled.

    They had what i never had;

    I provided the basic needs.

    Gave them a shell, education, food

    Yes, i provided for them.

    I am God.

    But they spite me, they spurn me.

    In so much words.

    Even the silent ones with eyes

    Bore into my soul their dislike.

    I am God

    I have no fault.

    Aye i have no fault.

    What? A voice, in the wind:

    “that is your fault

    You are God

    Because you tried in your way,

    Your best.

    It just wasn’t good enough.

    Yes you provided for them,

    But you provided only some.

    Education is not all, encouragement is something;

    A shelter is necessary, a home is a necessity,

    Food for the body is good. Happiness is for the soul.

    You are Satan;

    In their eyes.

    You slay them, browbeat them, slash at them

    With your tongue;

    With your criticisms,

    Steal their happiness

    With constant naggings.

    When they fall, present it as proof.

    When the script is read, it becomes simple;

    Your person can be understood.

    But how difficult to understand.

    We see them battle;

    Both natures.

    And frown with dismay

    The many times the worse

    The victor becomes”

    Life ‘s events gives me lessons

    Upon which i found other events.

    If this so far my fortune has been,

    Will

    Like small tides that makes the mighty wave

    These misfortunes lead to some disaster,

    Or like the dark night that turns black then lighter

    Make way for the bright light of day?

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    Strider commented on ENIGMA

    07-23-2009

    Well done my brother. Nice poem. Next time make it short and challenging.

    Poetry is when an emotion has found its thought and the thought has found words.

    Robert Frost (1875-1963) American Poet.

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