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The Poem
As sure as the deceptive day
you're the only cell in my stem
the stomata of unending songs,...
Because I crave your lips, and you're not here
I want to forget you, haunted by the paradox in the air
you're the only thing whose epilepsy I have loved
and I have known betrayals not like yours...
Your contradictions have become the theorem
of what it is to love and laugh in the gutters of despair
But I'm also a paradox, born into the treachery of dim decades
I have survived other lives and many deaths.
I want to forget,
I want to forget your face
I want to forget your face in my fear
I want to forget my fear in your face
I want to forget my fear in your face forever...
Because I am possessed, my songs for you will not end
And though the abuse persists
it is in your tears that the diamonds shall grow.
One day when you go out with me, if I live to hold your sight again
the evening will wear a new name, and your familiar places painted new.
I will be the resurrection, you the lives of many who are silenced now.
Introduction:
"F(caps)orgetting" by Remi Raji is a poignant exploration of love, longing, and the struggle to overcome painful memories. The poem delves into the complexities of a relationship tainted by betrayal and paradoxes, as the speaker grapples with their desire to forget while being consumed by their emotions.
"Forgetting" by Remi Raji delves into the complexities of love, desire, and memory. The poem begins with a declaration of the speaker's inability to forget the subject, despite desiring to do so. The imagery of being haunted by paradoxes and contradictions adds depth to the emotional struggle depicted.
The speaker expresses a longing to forget the object of their affection, perhaps due to the pain associated with their absence or the betrayals experienced. However, despite this desire, the speaker acknowledges the profound impact the subject has had on their life, likening them to a theorem and acknowledging their own paradoxical nature.
The repetition of the phrase "I want to forget" emphasizes the internal conflict and the persistent hold the subject has on the speaker's thoughts. The mention of fear suggests that the relationship may have been fraught with uncertainty and apprehension.
Despite the desire to move on, the speaker's love and songs for the subject endure, symbolizing a deep emotional attachment that persists despite adversity. The imagery of diamonds growing from tears suggests that beauty and strength can emerge from pain and suffering.
The poem concludes with a hopeful note, envisioning a future where the speaker and the subject are reunited and able to create new memories together. The speaker sees themselves as a force of renewal and transformation, capable of bringing new life to the relationship and to those who have been silenced.
Themes:
1. Love and Betrayal: The poem explores the dual nature of love, highlighting how it can coexist with betrayal and deception. The speaker's longing for the absent beloved is juxtaposed with the pain of past betrayals, creating a tumultuous emotional landscape.
2. Memory and Forgetting: Central to the poem is the theme of memory and forgetting. The speaker expresses a desire to forget the object of their affection, yet their memories persist, haunting them relentlessly. This struggle between remembering and forgetting reflects the complexity of human emotions and the difficulty of moving on from past hurts.
3. Identity and Paradox: The poem delves into the paradoxical nature of identity, both individual and relational. The speaker acknowledges their own contradictions and complexities, as well as those of their beloved. This exploration of paradoxes adds depth to the portrayal of the characters and their relationship dynamics.
Literary Styles:
1. Imagery: Raji employs vivid imagery throughout the poem to evoke the emotional landscape of the speaker. Descriptions such as "the deceptive day" and "the stomata of unending songs" create a sense of longing and uncertainty, drawing the reader into the speaker's inner turmoil.
2. Symbolism: The use of symbolism enriches the poem's themes and motifs. For example, the mention of "tears" and "diamonds" symbolizes the transformative power of pain and suffering, suggesting that growth and beauty can emerge from even the darkest experiences.
3. Repetition: The repetition of phrases like "I want to forget" emphasizes the intensity of the speaker's desire to move on from the past. This rhetorical device underscores the central conflict of the poem, highlighting the tension between the urge to forget and the persistence of memory.
4. Allusion: The poem contains subtle allusions to biblical themes, such as resurrection and redemption, adding a layer of depth to the exploration of love and suffering. These allusions contribute to the poem's rich tapestry of imagery and symbolism, inviting readers to contemplate its deeper meanings.
Conclusion
Overall, "Forgetting" by Remi Raji is a powerful exploration of love, memory, and the human condition, rendered with lyrical language and evocative imagery.