SprinNG
  • Publications
    • Anthologies >
      • ETB Anthology
      • AEAnthology
      • WAD Anthology
      • CBS Anthology
      • 2020 Why I Write
      • 2019 Why I Write
    • Interviews
    • Book Reviews
  • Submit
    • Submit to Us
    • Nigerian Writers Database
  • Fellowship
    • Writing Fellowship
    • Advancement Fellowship
  • Contests
    • Monthly Bookstore Gift-card
    • Annual Poetry Contest
    • SWAP >
      • SWAP 2022 Winners
      • SWAP 2021 Winner
      • SWAP 2020 Winner
  • SprinNG Lit
  • Services
    • Resume/CV Editing Services
    • Cover Letter Editing
    • Bio/Personal Statement Editing
  • Donate
  • About
    • Annual Report
    • Quicklinks

​at the mention of happiness

1/6/2022

9 Comments

 
By Hassan Usman
Picture
last year saw me looking for exits in my own body
this is how black boys abscond from too much darkness
i learnt that grief is a stubborn grass
it grows where it’s not wanted
so to survive, i sit within a discolored poem
adding echoes to the sounds of hope
but does the world know the sea also suffers thirst?
it’s a new year & at the mention of happiness ​
i am still unable to command my lips to a smile
everything i give a name is swallowed by silence
i swear i do not know the origin of this anguish
i do not know how to hold grace like an egg
without cracking it
I have faith in heavens to undo the years spent in ruin
but it’s as if God is on a long vacation 
it’s as if the angels, too, have settled on land 
maybe when i offer myself to a whirlwind 
i will find my body shawled around the arms of peace
Picture
Writer's Biography
Hassan Usman, pen-named Billiospeaks, is 2/4 of Next Generational Poets. He studies Counselor Education at the University of Ilorin, Kwara State. He sees poetry as a way of relieving stress and filling up emptiness. His works have appeared in The Shallow Tales Review, Write The World, WattNigeria, and elsewhere. In addition, he enjoys listening to Nigerian street music and exploring the fashion world.
9 Comments
Esthere
2/6/2022 09:46:41 pm

Hmmm!
' does the world knows that the sea stuffers thirst too?'
This one deep oooo!
Your words and Bio are in sync 💪🏾

Reply
Promise
16/6/2022 08:34:44 am

Hey you!
Truly the writers here are amazing!

Reply
Rahma O. Jimoh
4/6/2022 02:26:44 pm

The opening line of this poem is a banger on its own. The poet's use of poetic devices like personification, imagery, etc is commendable. The use of language, its fluidity, and each line flowing into the next line is another thing. Lines such as,

"I learnt that grief is a stubborn grass
it grows where it’s not wanted"

Makes a reader pause to sink in awe. The subject matter — grief was well-painted line after line. It's how I relate to this poem, how each line opens up to remind me of my grief.

"but it’s as if God is on a long vacation
it’s as if the angels, too, have settled on land"

Lines like the above make me relate more to the poet's line of thought. It's how grief can make anyone question God. And the last line in a tone of finality draws us into the persona's search for peace.

Reply
Mokwe Victor
7/6/2022 11:53:51 pm

You are a true literati

Reply
Promise
10/6/2022 07:54:03 pm

Grief is a stubborn grass but happiness does much more good.

Reply
Elyon Jessemiel
13/6/2022 10:25:06 am

Oh wow!! Amazing word constructions. The figures of speech, superb! Kudos sir! However you should work on placing paragraphs when needed and word spacing. But I love your work regardless

Reply
Zainab
13/6/2022 03:16:05 pm

Beautiful. I am all in for the opening statement, the first and second drew me into the poem. Language is such a powerful weapon, and this poet happens to have it's ink splaying at the tip of his pen. Grief is indeed a stubborn grass. Good work!

Reply
Moyosolaoluwa Olowokure link
19/6/2022 04:34:52 pm

This piece really lets you into the mental processes behind the battle against grief. I see it as someone battling to hold on to hope despite how elusive it may be

Reply
Solomon Timothy Hamza link
23/6/2022 05:14:49 am

Beautiful poem

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    The SprinNG 2023 Brochure

    SprinNG Quicklinks
    About SprinNG
    Contests
    Anthologies
    Interviews
    Book Reviews
    Nigerian Writers Database
    Recommended Literary Sites
    Writers Fellowship

      Subscribe to SprinNG Newsletters
    Subscribe

    For inquiries regarding publications email: 
    contact@SprinNG.org 
    ​and we will respond to you within 48hrs.
CLICK TO DOWNLOAD THE SPRINNG 2023 BROCHURE

Copyright @SprinNG 2023
​

  • Publications
    • Anthologies >
      • ETB Anthology
      • AEAnthology
      • WAD Anthology
      • CBS Anthology
      • 2020 Why I Write
      • 2019 Why I Write
    • Interviews
    • Book Reviews
  • Submit
    • Submit to Us
    • Nigerian Writers Database
  • Fellowship
    • Writing Fellowship
    • Advancement Fellowship
  • Contests
    • Monthly Bookstore Gift-card
    • Annual Poetry Contest
    • SWAP >
      • SWAP 2022 Winners
      • SWAP 2021 Winner
      • SWAP 2020 Winner
  • SprinNG Lit
  • Services
    • Resume/CV Editing Services
    • Cover Letter Editing
    • Bio/Personal Statement Editing
  • Donate
  • About
    • Annual Report
    • Quicklinks