Tag: society

BEYOND THESE WALLS

Beyond these walls, the world waits in stow
Climb high mountains and crawl valleys below
Unplug from the walls, let new energies flow
Outside the comfort zone is where we grow

Tread the uncharted in search of challenges
Freedom’s often found in fresh experiences
Steer from the safety net to simulate senses
Thorns must be picked before smelling roses

Sway in sunshine, sandstorms and snowfalls
Camping in the comfort is where life stalls
Embrace the elements for when destiny calls
There’s more to discover beyond these walls

 

 

K.G. says…
I sort of wrote this to inspire and motivate myself as much as anything – to take a few more risks and stop putting off doing certain things. It is easy for us to create convenient (yet feeble) excuses as to why we shouldn’t embrace a new challenge or try harder to maximise our potential.
Many of us often say “I’ll do it tomorrow or next week/month/year” only to find another reason to reschedule when the time comes. Opportunities rarely find us while we quietly hide away. Therefore it is up to each of us to get up, go out there and chase our dreams. We have to live it to achieve it.

SIN TO WIN

Good souls turn bad and lose their sense of self
When they’re drawn to lust for advertised wealth
They disregard their morals, values and health
Whilst sinning for material things under stealth

Transformations range from gradual to abrupt
Souls so pleasant until they become corrupt
Painfully sad how integrity can end up bankrupt
As materialism makes vanity and envy erupt

Focus shifts to the quickest route to a payday
And deciding which riches to put on display
But the sinful deeds done, they neglect to say
In an effort to keep guilt and judgment at bay

Flesh warm in lavish clothes yet souls are freezing
However much they attain, there is no easing
Though they risk getting harmed or going to prison
They sin more and more, the rewards are pleasing

Perhaps they had little and went for long without
May explain why they worship money, so devout
Whether that’s justified is very much in doubt
But, for them, sinning to win is what life’s about

 

 

K.G. says…
This piece addresses an issue which is increasingly prevalent in today’s society, particularly among younger generations. Materialism and consumerism have taken over to the extent that (nearly) everyone wants to be seen as having “made it” in life. Success only seems to be measured by financial riches and those unable to showcase wealth are sadly seen as “losing”.
Consequently, it is becoming acceptable and justifiable to make money and material gains via whichever means possible. There is now little regard for how someone “makes it” – be it whether it is illegal, immoral or comes at a cost to themselves and others.

SHEROES (THERE IS NO OTHER)

Mother, there is no other comparable
My very first heroine, so honourable
Sheltered me warmly at my most vulnerable
until I was strong enough to enter this world
Without your guidance I’d not have excelled
Gratitude for your sacrifices is forever held

Lover, there is no other in whom I’d confide
My fiercest heroine fighting by my side
During my darkest battles, you do not hide
Together, we’re ready to take on any test
Urging me to be better, you bring out my best
You could have given up but you do not rest

Daughter, there is no other to give my life for
My newest heroine, so sweet and pure
The hope you’ve given leaves me in awe
Weight of the world, I’ll shoulder the pressure
to see you shine bright like precious treasure
My love for you is infinite without measure

 

 

K.G. says…
To clarify, I don’t have a daughter [any offspring in general] or indeed a lover [*sad face*] at the time of posting this. However I wanted to write something in celebration of women and girls. With all the focus (and rightly so) on harassment and gender inequality in the last  few years, I opted for an appreciative approach. Without women, “there is no other” to make life complete. [See what I did there?]
Now, before the PC brigade challenges me to a duel, I am fully aware that the roles females in society are not limited to those aforementioned. Women have been, should be, and are empowered to do anything that they want to. The poem is merely from my sole perspective on who I believe are/will be the three most important women in my own life, on a personal relationship level.

DYING DREAM

Despite the innocence and optimism of youth
Yearning for a time when hardship will soothe
In comes the learning of discomforting truth
Nefariously dashing hopes in a manner uncouth
Growing wise induces pain like the wisdom tooth

Daring to believe that one day all will be better
Rainstorms flood fantasies as tears get wetter
Eons pass by while soft skin toughens to leather
Ambition become inhibition, curbed by a fetter
Mourn in silence for the disenchanted go-getter

 

 

K.G. says…
You saw what I did there, right?  From a creative perspective, this is one of the poems I’m most proud of because it was more challenging to complete than I anticipated. I’d set myself the task of writing a piece in which the title would be spelt using the first letters of every line – and it also had to rhyme.
There is also meaning beyond its aesthetic appeal. As most of us get older, many of the high hopes we once had gradually become diluted and fade. Reality bites and life comes at us fast. We grow older to become less carefree and more cautious. Although we go on to achieve other things, there remain aspects of life we wished had (or expected to) turn out differently. I wanted to try and capture the feeling associated with unfulfilled dreams.

MODERN INTERACTION

When we met, you seemed quite meek
Requested your number so we could speak
Messaged each other nonstop the first week
But that early promise soon turned bleak
First, I noticed your replies become weak
Then you started hiding for me to seek
Such treatment is audacity at its peak
Under your makeup lays barefaced cheek

Why do you leave my messages on “seen”?
Stop the act, you know exactly what I mean
You even talked dirty, you sounded keen
Something then changed so just come clean
Because this isn’t how it was like before
Conversing with you wasn’t such a chore
How come you aren’t interested anymore?
Tell me so I can at least know the score

That’s the nature of modern interaction
Cold hearts have placed feelings under ration
Chemistry fizzes away with little reaction
As possibilities often end in dissatisfaction

 

 

K.G. says…
I was a bit surprised at just how many of my readers that related to this on an emotionally frustrating level. It’s quite amusing and poignant at the same time. The state of us millennials, eh?
I could go on for hours upon hours about what I think are the reasons behind this phenomenon but I’m sure we all have our theories. Just like we all (or at least most of us) have experienced this type of wasted time. Anyway it happens *shrugs* so as Jay Z and the Foo Fighters both (repeatedly) said… on to the next one!

GIVE YOU THANKS

Father, I want to give You thanks
You raised me when I almost sank
So I’ll forever give You thanks
for You are the highest rank

Although I’m not yet in paradise
I feel Your presence when I close my eyes
On the ground, in the air and the skies
I am certain You’re always by my side
Inside Your bosom is where I can confide

I walk boldly because You light the way
Your grace guides my feet every single day
Lost would I be if You didn’t hear me pray
Good times or bad, I never doubt my faith
And in Your glory, I shall eternally bathe

No other being has ever compared to You
I love You wholly and You love me too
Existence fails without everything You do
Magnificent is my King’s everlasting rule
My heart is mended, Your word is the tool

That’s why I give You thanks
On You I can always bank
So I give You all my thanks
For there is no higher rank

 

 

K.G. says…
I’m ashamed to admit that I’m not as strong in my worship as I should be – it’s definitely an area for me to improve on. What I’m not ashamed to do is declare that I believe in God, the Almighty. This poem is just a small token of praise to reflect my appreciation for all that He has done and continues to do in my life, and for being able to share some of the talents He gifted me.
In today’s world, it’s not very fashionable or easy to remain a committed person of faith. Despite all the distractions and temptations around, we must try to be the best versions of ourselves, regardless of our chosen faiths (or whether you believe in a higher power at all) – and be grateful for life itself – for the sake of one another.

NO ONE TRULY LOVES YOU

No one truly loves you
Very harsh yet very true
The “love” that you construe
Comes with a condition or two
It is not you whom they adore
But how you help them gain more
The value you offer is at the core
Thus, their adoration is not raw
Showing love for their own sake
A charade in which many partake
All justified via give-and-take
Thinking it’s real is your mistake

No one truly loves you
We don’t truly love anyone too
Showing “love” the way we do
Only to those who bring value
When benefits no longer remain
Passion oddly doesn’t retain
Where there is little to gain
Going there, we often refrain
A kind act marred by hesitation
Is false affection under limitation
But to give without expectation
Is pure love in glorious liberation

 

 

K.G. says…
Heart-warming title, isn’t it? [LOL]
While writing this, I didn’t want it to turn into a criticism of others but rather, a frank reflection of ourselves (including me) as people. It always seems to be the other person’s fault that we fall out or lose contact but how often do we evaluate how WE could have improved the situation?
I acknowledge that, like other, I’m not always a great friend. We seem to get caught up in our own selves and personal interests while expecting others to be there for us. Life does get in the way. Although that really isn’t a good enough reason to forsake the love we show to others. I suppose all we can do as inherently selfish creatures is to keep trying to be better. Let’s never stop trying to be more loving.

POTENTIAL SLEEPS IN EVERYONE

What we perceive as our limit
is merely a barrier to be broken.
Potential sleeps in everyone
waiting to shine and be woken.
Rise out of darkness into light,
for it has already been spoken.
Life gifted us all something rare
so redeem that special token.

Awakening potential is a test,
one we may never achieve.
Destiny demands endeavour
to challenge what we perceive.
Hard hits on the way to glory
shall be softened with reprieve.
Cast out all apprehensions
and let the impossible conceive.

 

 

K.G. says…
I read through everything I’d written up until this point and realised none of my poems were particularly cheery or positive. [I’m not a completely miserable guy, I promise!] Consequently, I decided it was time to write something a bit more upbeat and encouraging.
Truly, I believe that no one is utterly hopeless in this world. We are all created with a degree of potential for us to unlock, if we choose to. That’s why we shouldn’t underestimate anyone, even if we are currently better than them, because we don’t know what they will achieve or be capable of in future.
Most importantly, don’t underestimate your own self.

BOTH KNOW THE GAME

He dangles his cash like bait for her beauty
She uses her looks to lure lots of his money
Both are in it for themselves, their actions are phony

He won’t make her his girlfriend, he just wants to beat
She won’t enjoy his company yet she agrees to go eat
Both know the game so they keep each other sweet

He is after all the pleasures without the commitments
She wants to taste luxuries beyond her confinements
Both tease with their assets, trading off in instalments

He takes her fancy places for her to post on social media
She entertains his advances to ensure he stays eager
Both keep playing till they get tired and need a breather

He happily pays to fulfil his desires, regardless of cost
She cares not that her feelings are colder than frost
Both know the game well and there is zero love lost

 

 

K.G. says…
Bwoiii… a modern take on an age-old tale. These are just certain observations that others and myself have made; presented in art form. It speaks for itself so I don’t need to say too much about it – we all know the game!
On a side note [before the PC brigade gets up in arms], I acknowledge that the particular roles described in the scenarios can also be depicted in reverse and are not restrictive traits of any particular gender or orientation.

PRETENTIOUS PERFORMERS

Actions speak louder than words but silence shrouds intentions
Doing and saying things with thoughts that no one mentions
Pretentious performers prey on the naivety of the meek
Playing with facets of the truth like a game of hide and seek
Deeds choreographed to contrive without ever revealing fully
While wavering words spew from tongues that fail to talk truly

Wolves in sheep’s clothing pull the wool over people’s eyes
As pussycats prowl with pride among lions who don’t realise
Politics, drama, misdirection and sugar coating are apparent
Masks worn to prevent real expressions being transparent
In a world where genuine sincerity is often locked in a cage
It is no wonder why pretentious performers take centre stage

 

 

K.G. says…
I’m not entirely sure of what people really think about this piece because it’s not one that my readers have often mentioned to me. Nonetheless I am pleased with it from a creative perspective because I threw in a few different literary devices (i.e. alliteration, wordplay, metaphors) and well-known idioms.
Personally, I think the first line of the second verse is one of the best I’ve ever written. I also rate the line immediately after, although the meaning of that is more obscure as it all rests on a single word which can be easily overlooked. *high-five if you got it the first time*
The poem itself is about how a lot of us seem to interact with each other. As someone who prefers straightforwardness and zero drama, I find game-playing and having to second-guess to be uncomfortably confusing and unnecessary.