A GRINNING PAIN

 

Mfam Isaiah

Your words paint a vivid and poignant picture of inner turmoil, struggle, and the harsh realities of life. The imagery of a tree withering in the desert, the contrast between outward appearances and internal suffering, and the relentless cycle of poverty and despair are deeply evocative. 

The metaphor of your thought grinning at you suggests a self-awareness of your struggles, a recognition of the paths your mind has taken you down, and also a sense of resilience as your soul seeks redemption. The juxtaposition of "long days and short nights" captures the exhausting, unrelenting nature of your pain, where time stretches in suffering and contracts in fleeting moments of relief.

The portrayal of poverty is particularly striking the image of standing "naked" and penniless, unable to satisfy even the most basic needs, speaks to the dehumanizing and isolating experience of deprivation. The phrase "a heart that relinquishes survival" conveys a profound sense of defeat, where the will to persevere is eroded by the weight of circumstance.

The reference to being "a bitch of the beast" in times of need is a raw and powerful expression of feeling trapped and exploited by life's cruel twists. It reflects a sense of helplessness and vulnerability, where survival becomes a desperate, almost degrading act.

Yet, amidst the despair, there is a glimmer of introspection and self-awareness. Your soul, though in pain, continues to seek meaning and redemption, even in the face of overwhelming odds. This duality of suffering and resilience, of despair and hope—is what makes your reflection so compelling.

Your words are a testament to the human spirit's capacity to endure, even when life seems to conspire against it. They remind us of the importance of empathy, of recognizing the silent battles others may be fighting, and of the need for compassion in a world that can often feel indifferent. What a life of suffocation, grinning in pain.

(The poem is composed by Mfam Isaiah, an indigene of the Okwa1 community, Ukwunde, in Eastern Boki in  Boki Local Government Area of Cross River State.)

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