DESPISE NOT THE LITTLE

DESPISE NOT THE LITTLE

A Poem by Akinlolu

Despise not the little
for life's greatest gifts come
packaged as riddles.

There's an ocean trapped in an egg and
a planet imprisoned in a keg.

I've seen rainclouds wrapped in blankets
and
auroras for sale in the black market.

That rag clothed beggar is richer than Bill Gates.
Forget the fact that
he begs for alms at your gate.

Fact is stranger than fiction
in a time of doubts and transition.

The Bigger
isn't necessarily the better.

Nanotech rocks better than alchemy in Wycliffe’s age.
Bullets cure nothing; we know they only fuel the rage.

We sold our souls
in our quest for gain.
We stole thunder
and lost the rain.

Now we're stuck with a fallout
afflicting us with persistent blackouts.

Earth’s devastation extends from atmosphere to magma.
Everyone blames the disaster on werewolves and karma.

The Western world is colonized by rabies;
and Africa’s latest franchise comes from beyond Hades.

Doolittle isn't small in terms of potential;
The qualifications of his critics are inconsequential.

© 2023 Akinlolu


My Review

Would you like to review this Poem?
Login | Register




Reviews

I'm often amazed by the seemingly fragile things that are actually so strong. It's not the same comparison but a relatable one. A dragonfly has some of the thinnest wings of any creature but it can traverse entire oceans in flight. A flower will push its way through solid concrete just to touch the sun, etc. In this piece you offer us a glimpse of the smaller and lesser in comparison to the greater and how outward appearances may be deceiving. And some of us social outcasts like it that way because we just don't have time for the superficial world based on greed and monetary gain. I don't condemn money or the having of it but the lusting after power, fame and fortune is the root of all sorts of evils. I enjoyed the read. F.

Posted 1 Year Ago


Akinlolu

1 Year Ago

It's nice to meet people who seem to see with one's eyes and hear with one's ears. It's all about pe.. read more
FGFRANKLIN

1 Year Ago

My pleasure, I can see your beautiful heart in your poetry. The content of one's character is often .. read more
Akinlolu

1 Year Ago

Oh, thank you
A beautiful comment on big vs. little.... and the consequences of this....big isn't necessarily better....the rich have been partially responsible for the condition of our planet today....with indiscriminate wast that could almost fill an ocean....The WEST had ignored Africa for decades and left it battered....
Best, B


Posted 1 Year Ago


Akinlolu

1 Year Ago

This is a very accurate observation. What really breaks my heart is how the richest Africans loot th.. read more
Wow! "Bullets cure nothing; we know they only fuel the rage."

Love this stanza:
We sold our souls
in our quest for gain.
We stole thunder
and lost the rain.

Posted 1 Year Ago


This comment has been deleted by the poster.
Akinlolu

1 Year Ago

What is thunder? It's just noise. Let's focus on the rain. Cheers.
Akinlolu
your piece here has a continual flow that is not often found in such metaphorical work. Congrats on surrounding your reader with such a lyrical environment. Having bee said before "Fact is stranger than fiction" the context in which you have placed it " a time of doubts and transition " makes it fresh and pertinent. favorite part would have to be the opening --- "Despise not the little for life's greatest gifts come packaged as riddles" ---This is a true and beautiful piece in and of itself. .thanks for the post -carl



Posted 1 Year Ago


This comment has been deleted by the poster.
Akinlolu

1 Year Ago

Thanks for your informative and entertaining review, Carl. I treasure it.
Akinlolu.
I found myself identifying more and more as I read this piece. The metaphors are great but what really underlies this poem is it's philosophy and meaning. I couldn't agree more.

Posted 1 Year Ago


Akinlolu

1 Year Ago

I agree with you that this poem is solidly philosophical although it came to me more like a song. I'.. read more
Bigger is certainly not better. When money becomes king, we have lost the plot. It seems to me that the wealth of some is obscene when those at the bottom of the ladder struggle to survive. Thank you Akinlolu. I particularly like

We sold ourselves
in the quest for gain
We stole thunder
and lost the rain

A very good day to you.

Chris

Posted 1 Year Ago


Akinlolu

1 Year Ago

I laugh at your visit. I knew you'd always bring an insightful contribution. Yes, our generation is .. read more
Chris Shaw

1 Year Ago

Thank you my friend and I wish the same for you and your hard working wife :)
I agree my friend. We forgot human kindness. Profit over life.
"We sold our souls
in our quest for gain.
We stole thunder
and lost the rain."
The above lines Akinlolu. Hard and true. Thank you for sharing the outstanding poetry. I did like this one.
Coyote

Posted 1 Year Ago


Akinlolu

1 Year Ago

Thanks for stopping by my friend. We can survive without the thunder but what's to be our our fate w.. read more
Coyote Poetry

1 Year Ago

I agree my friend and you are welcome.
You've touched on an important point here: The bigger is not the better. You show this through a number of examples which are very effective. I would suggest, however, that you end it after the couplet that states that bigger is not better. After that, you seem to wander off the main theme.

Posted 1 Year Ago


Akinlolu

1 Year Ago

I took a second and hard look at this poem, sir John. I think I'd end the piece with "we stole thund.. read more
What if we gained the world and lost our souls?
Indeed, the world is so deceptive. Nothing is really as it seems and least of all is wealth a bringer of joy.
I cling to my blessings a lot more tightly as I read this.
This is a stunningly beautiful poem, Akinlolu. You stir your reader and awe them with your imagination and arguments. I'm totally convinced!

Posted 1 Year Ago


Akinlolu

1 Year Ago

I admit that you've seen into my heart, Divya. Wealth is a good thing but it isn't everything. I've .. read more

First Page first
Previous Page prev
1
Share This
Email
Facebook
Twitter
Request Read Request
Add to Library My Library
Subscribe Subscribe


Stats

270 Views
14 Reviews
Rating
Added on June 27, 2023
Last Updated on June 27, 2023

Author

Akinlolu
Akinlolu

Lagos, South west Nigeria, Nigeria



About
Akinlolu will not consider himself the best of writers until he becomes a hundred years old. In the meantime he strives towards becoming the best by continually writing poetic descriptions and critici.. more..

Writing
HOPE MEMORIAL HOPE MEMORIAL

A Story by Akinlolu


AKEJU'S BLOOD AKEJU'S BLOOD

A Story by Akinlolu



Related Writing

People who liked this story also liked..


Change Change

A Poem by Soren





Advertise Here
Want to advertise here? Get started for as little as $5