HOW CAN?

This is a lament. When a man's dream dies, it's natural to sorrow. But he's got to move beyond sorrow and the help of quacks. Yeah, he's got to move on.

I'm trying to imagine
how it feels, making music
When no one wants to listen
to the lyrics.

The song is dead
and yet the drumbeats won't cease.
Teardrops won't stop germinating
the expansive spread
of poems we thought deceased

There's a storm as heavy rain falls,
but the soil is not wet.
The sun shines in a night
brought on by wicked swarms
but everywhere is still dark and wet.

How can there be fire without flames?
and how can flames dance without heat?
We thought that crying is solely the domain of dames
Are we surprised to see the tears of hunks fall like sleet?
They shamelessly play the blame game in their quest for fame.

Rats are everywhere and
cats are everywhere
but we see no rat dead.
The experts came with lots of flair but only got seared and scared.
Their shrieks were the stuff of nightmares; loud enough to wake the dead.

Our greatest fear is now here and it's
the death of a dream.
makes the heart bleed to the extreme
But don't cry.
Again, we must try.

Image Credit: Unsplash

Reviews

[Bhuyanshi Talukdar]

This poem is a powerful reflection on the struggle to create art and express oneself in a world that often seems indifferent or hostile to creative expression. The use of vivid imagery, such as the "storm as heavy rain falls" and the "teardrops [that] won't stop germinating," creates a sense of atmosphere and emotion that is both haunting and beautiful.

The speaker's sense of frustration and despair is palpable throughout, as they describe the challenges of creating music and poetry in a world that doesn't always appreciate or understand their work. The lines "We thought that crying is solely the domain of dames / Are we surprised to see the tears of hunks fall like sleet?" are particularly poignant, highlighting the ways in which gender norms and expectations can limit our ability to express ourselves fully.

Despite the darkness and uncertainty of the world around them, the speaker remains determined to keep trying, to keep creating, and to keep dreaming. The final lines, "But don't cry. / Again, we must try," are a powerful call to action, urging the reader to embrace their own creativity and to keep pushing forward in the face of adversity.

Overall, this is a deeply moving and thought-provoking poem that captures the struggle, beauty, and resilience of the creative spirit.

[Akinlolu]

This verse came to me in a season of great frustration and struggles. I'm glad you could relate. Your insightful review is appreciated.
Akinlolu

[Soren]

So evident to me in this poem is the message that each thing has its compliment. A song where only the beat is considered and not the lyrics always bothered me. The cat's and rats one needs the other, one for food and the other to keep the population under control. Balance is the issue here for me. Nicely done.

[Akinlolu]

Thanks Soren for looking at this event through a different pair of eyeballs. What happens if cats are everywhere and the population of rats aren't affected? I'd think something fishy is happening. Have cats found better meals? Are the current species of rats not edible? Or like what happened in an episode of Tom and Jerry that I watched as a teen: did the cats and rats strike a bargain to cease all hostilities? Only God knows.
As for songs that are strong on rhythm and deficient in lyrical contents, I never bother with them. They just irritate me. I really appreciate your thoughtful and insightful review.
Akinlolu

[FGFRANKLIN]

Let our dreams be like kernels of corn; for every one that dies let hundreds be reborn. For that is the thing, a dream well planted and taking root will grow and produce many times the seed. We cannot mourn the toil while waiting the harvest. But the rats are everywhere, eating some of the good seed. We have to just keep planting our dreams. To the fields.

[Akinlolu]

Wow. Your review is more than a mere review. It encourages with sagely wisdom. Thanks so much.

[Soyam]

It's human nature that whenever something bad happens to us, our heart feels with sorrow and we start feeling completely lost because our dreams which we build, breaks into pieces Infront of our eyes. We are so much deep in the sorrow, so ,muchh focused on the closed door that we are not even able to see those hundred doors that are now open for us.

Nicely expressed, with simple language...

We must keep hope, and never leave trying because we never know what universe holds for us.

[Akinlolu]

Soyam. Thanks for your encouraging review. Being blind to a hundred open doors just because of being lost in sorrow over one closed one? That gives me lots of food for thought. Thanks again.

[Soyam]

My pleasure

[Relic]

Yes, again we must try and be positive at the same time. Persistance really does pay. Well done.

[Akinlolu]

Thanks Relic. That's the idea.

[Betty Hermelee]

Maybe this is all an illusion, a sort of nightmare, fearing death, challenging fire, flames, the how and why of nature and what could happen if.... We tend to question in our minds (asleep or not) all of these phenomenons.....because we are curious people...
Well done!
Best, B

[Akinlolu]

Hello Betty. It's been a while. I hope you're in splendid health. Thanks for your encouraging review.

[Akinlolu]

I'd prefer to just let the poem speak for itself this time around. But I'm glad it spoke to you

[Betty Hermelee]

Yes it did indeed! and you're welcome
Best, B