Soul Ache Poem by Ray Tatenda Mutizwa

pain of unknown cause
is that which I feel in my heart
relief to it has become near impossible
sharp bouts of pains attack me
from any side they hit inflicting inexplicable distress
at will it comes and goes as if sent
throwing me into delirium and hallucination
when it heats am defenseless to the offence
all I can do is growl and groan loudly
burying my head in my heads I sob sorrowfully
I try scratch off the heat to no avail
it runs from the upper top of the head
splitting the mid of the chest into the lungs
ripping through the ribs and linking with the spine
dissecting through the nose to upper abdomen
carrying along intense agony that can't be told
the lack of diagnosis is more painful than the pain itself

to everyone pledgeshave been made
so solemn words are given
with witness vouching of them some even bring such along
with their lives some even swore
all that with intention to be trusted
to be believed and to be depended upon

to promise what you can't do
is to deceive and lie to yourself
much hope is raised in the heart
anticipation gets higher as they pledged day nears
to receive and to see words given fulfilled

suddenly the promise is in vain
pledges made are broken without remorse
then resentment is birthed
an eternal seal of dishonesty is permanently tattooed on you

how and who can one be redeemed
from such a deplorable label
which goes before even in your future
to live in such a shame is capital punishment