CUP AND GRIEF
CUP AND GRIEF! WHICH?
Don't say you never knew!
There were whispers and noises
Calling on the empty street,
To warn.
Don't claim they weren't enough!
You were the one who sought
Answer in silence.
Your ears were pricked, but you kept deafened.
So, take your cup like a man!
Even if you will die.
You asked for music,
And you must dance to it.
Or, you could grieve,
Like the weakling you are;
From the beginning
Even till the end.
But nothing changes,
Your karma is here, Hypocrite!
To drink the cup or grieve,
Your judgment is made.
By your hands,
You have wielded the sword,
By your hands,
You have written the verdict.
Though you have no more choices,
Decide which would be your escape;
The Cup of Consequence,
Or, the grief of regrets.
©Olufayo Taiwo Ayomide.
(Poet Phynerwrites Feb'25)
This reminded me of a time in my life where I had to face consequences for an important responsibility I had failed at. I experienced both sides of this poem—shrinking in fear, then squaring my shoulders.
ReplyDeleteThe sense this makes to me is that there will be times when the die is cast, and you will not be able to stop the outcome. How you respond to it is the only thing you will have control over. Great work.
I love how the poem dare its audience to own their responsibilities. It's a beautiful and well articulated poem. 🙌🏾
ReplyDeleteReading this piece, I could notice an allusion to the Bible where Jesus pleaded with God to let _"this cup pass over me"_. The two motif cup and grief presents the readers with a choice to either face the consequences or simply grieve in regret. There is impact buried in every line like an admonishment. Well done Sir Taiwo
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