grudge

a burden

weighty to bear, unbearable to condone

and painful to discard

but which we cherish a lot.

it makes the heart of man to stink

and not only makes him feeble

but also sickens him time and again

and yet he prefers to carry it like a cross.

it could be laid down effortlessly

but he would prefer to hold on to it.

despite being as heavy as a mountain

he prefers to cling on to it like a treasure.

it emaciates him like a kwashiorkored child

and reduces him to something less than human.

it makes foolishness of his existence

yet he loves to hold on to it.

man can easily let it go forever, but he can’t

because his happiness lies in bearing grudges.

he can easily unburden the basketful of grudges

but he prefers to carry it around like goods.

can man never ever think of letting go?

can he not think of forgiving and forgetting?

can he never think of letting the sleeping dog lie?

How about burying the hatchet once and for all?

yes! of course he can!

he can because pain can be healed,

hatred can be turned to love and division into unity.

and grudge could be made a history!

Okumephuna Chukwunwikezarramu

January 1, 2008.