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Boulevard of Hopelessness by Esther Opone

3/1/2019

10 Comments

 
Don't worry, be happy
You said
Life happens, but hope must be kept
You told us
We listened, with dead eyes and half ears
Knowing we would never have it
No, not even a hint of the hope you preached
For to hope in hope itself only brings more pain
 
So we wallowed in our own brokenness
Got so engrossed in our pain
That we didn't notice the changes creep in
Until we saw ourselves, completely mirrored in you
 
But tell us now, sister
When did you lose the light in your eyes and the spring in your step?
When did your smile die and your lips tighten into thin pain lines?
When did life happen and steal from you?
Oh! Please tell us, kindred soul
When did you join us
on the boulevard of hopelessness?

Esther Opone was born in Ibadan, Nigeria. She is a Biomedical Laboratory Science student, Civic Engagement advocate and Blogger at www.thevalueadder.wordpress.com .
She's an ardent lover of books, good music, volunteering, conversations, learning and all forms of art and creativity.
She also loves trying new things and this is her first published poem.
10 Comments
Nelson C.J
5/1/2019 06:36:08 am

I like how this poem moves with a quiet, clear sting. The words are simple and the intent almost accessible.

Reply
Gimbiya Galadima link
5/1/2019 04:10:13 pm

Subtle, yet invoking great emotion. I read the poem and felt like I could relate with the character. The lines weren't complex but I could feel the sadness, poking me in the ribs and demanding my attention.

Reply
Abegunde Israel
5/1/2019 04:33:52 pm

With hope, one can cope with live situations.
When all other life balancing pillars took race,
Hope remains,
Quietly, beckoning .
Saying come!

Reply
Nwobi Stanley
6/1/2019 06:04:55 pm

Nicely done. One could feel the emotions of the writer

Reply
Toluwalase Akinluyi link
10/1/2019 11:34:09 pm

Light yet deep. I felt the emotions in the words too.
...
I hope sister realises that her light is not dead though dimmed and her 'springy steps' are not lost though on a 'brake'. It takes only little to go from the boulevard of hopelessness to the promenade of happiness. It takes a Re-Turn.

Reply
Olubamike link
10/1/2019 11:39:07 pm

The description echoes a one-man experience on a self-cornered lane. . .

Beautiful, soulful piece✍

Reply
Judith link
11/1/2019 05:30:52 am

This is the best piece I’ve seen in recent times😍

Reply
Oluwadamilola
11/1/2019 11:29:19 am

This piece is deep with emotion. I felt the pain in this. It stirs something in you, so tangible you can almost touch it.

Reply
Tope link
13/1/2019 12:51:05 am

Simple yet deep words invoking emotions and thoughts for me. I too once had the biggest dreams and was a bright eyes optimist. But life has other plans. Esther with her words, expresses how it was.

Reply
Oyinkansola Ogunyinka (The Grace Ola) link
13/1/2019 03:29:22 pm

This poem made me think. I thought about how people usually just say 'life happens'. I understand that in all things we should just be happy and avoid worrying but saying that 'life happens' is a safety illusion that humans give themselves so as not to take responsibility for their actions and the outcome of their lives. This work of art just basically gives an illustration of the dangers that come with letting life happen. I love it.

Reply



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