Eneh Akpan Writes: Grub

Friday, January 11, 2013

Grub

This poem is about a character struggling with his inner critic; that negative voice that tries to seduce us all to the down side. And guilt-trip us with thoughts that we can't make it through the storm. He wins the battle and the poem's about his victory.

Photo credit: marvinleblanc.com

He said I couldn't make it,

He said he was me and he's weak.

But he was wrong,

Trying to seduce me to grub.

Watch me step on a pedestal and feel the storm cease;

I am the lyric of the silence of the seas.

I'm fly on the side, I'll get mine, if you please.

Step up to a fight and not back down on my knees.

The winds oppose me but my faith ain't my feelings.

My mind roars with panic still ama rake in the winnings.

No tripping. I'm repping new beginnings

I steer my course on the strength of immutable things.

He said I couldn't make it,

He said he was me and he's weak.

But oh, boy was he wrong,

Trying to seduce me to grub.

I know all about losses; I know the pain that gives on gain,
And when I chance that river, things ain't gon' be the same.
I hear your voices but it only makes me wanta breathe again.
Thoughts can't pull me down unless I consent to the bargain.
I lift up my head and savor the freshness of the rain
And dance into a strong morning light that calms my strain.
You know joy when you see it, can't kill it. It can't be feigned.
So, hear me say ama get it. Heed. Cause my eyes are trained.

  He said I couldn't make it,

Inner critic said he's me and he's weak.

But oh, boy was he wrong, (cause I'm strong)

Trying to seduce me to grub.