"Rage", Poem by Idoko Saddam Ifeanyi

The poem, Rage, precisely portrays the extremity of rage as a toxic emotion. The poem is written by Idoko Saddam Ifeanyi.

The poem, Rage, precisely portrays the extremity of rage as a toxic emotion. In each verse, the readers gain a closer connection to rage as personal frailty, one that is individually felt and expressed. It is indeed a work of art.

RAGE

“Advise me.” He said, “Do not get angry.” The man repeated his request twice, and the Prophet said, “Do not get angry.”

[Sahih Bukhari, Volume 8, Book 73, Number 137]

Rage, my frailty, 

The inferno burning the bile

Searing the soul, devouring wit.

Rage my frailty 

Through you I have owned 

I am green of circumstances 

And bereft of self-mastery.

Rage, my frailty,

In your clutch I have watched

my placidity evanesce into oblivion 

And equanimity 

fade into nothingness.

Rage, my frailty 

My rue, my emptiness,

I would rather that I swig

from the chalice of poise

than hearken to your tug ever fruitless to man.

Poet

Idoko Saddam Ifeanyi is a student of Law at Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto, Nigeria. He has a burning penchant for poetry and literature in general. His works have appeared in Arts Illustrated, a pan-indian magazine, as one of the winners of Haiku Chapters; Poetry Club UDUS; and in The Healing Power of Poetry where he emerged as the Gold winner of the week in a poetry competition. Saddam hails from Enugu, Nigeria.