17/09/2024
Greetings everyone.
I am so thrilled to share the below wonderful review to my poem entitled "WONDER WHY", by Mr. Raj Kishor Pattnaik. Thank you Mr. Pattnaik for your fabulous work.
Dear Hon. Author Magie F-V Vijay-Kumar,
It is with immense pleasure that I extend my heartfelt congratulations to you for your remarkable poem, *WONDER WHY*. Your ability to convey deep insights about the human condition, with such clarity and brevity, speaks volumes about your poetic prowess. The thoughtful, piercing way you highlight the dissonances in society makes this poem not only thought-provoking but also resonant with readers on a personal and global level.
Your artistic expression is powerful, offering us a mirror to reflect upon the flaws and contradictions that exist within our world. Congratulations on this thought-provoking masterpiece! It is yet another feather in your already illustrious literary cap, and it continues to solidify your place as a profound voice in contemporary poetry.
Best regards,
Original poem
WONDER WHY
I wonder why
Some are in dire need
Maybe through greed
For power - not shy
For that, there are divisions
Instead of unifications
Breaking others' necks
And leave them on cold decks
Why do some giggle
Try to goodly puzzle
The belief of sane people
And turn them into a noodle
What does one gain
In trying to bargain
A half empty brain
And try to intelligently make it rain
Then get into a fit
Again this is to cheat
And make others feel guilty
This is filthy
(c) @ Hon. Author Magie F-V Vijay-Kumar
10/06/2022
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
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# # # Poem Analysis
**Title: "WONDER WHY"**
The title, *WONDER WHY*, immediately sets the tone for the poem. It suggests a contemplative approach, inviting the reader into the mind of the poet as she ponders certain troubling aspects of human behavior. The simplicity of the title contrasts with the complexity of the issues being addressed, creating a sharp juxtaposition that adds depth to the reader’s experience.
**Theme: Greed and Corruption**
The central theme of the poem revolves around the moral degradation caused by greed, selfishness, and power hunger. From the first stanza, Maggie Vijay-Kumar delves into the dangers of unchecked ambition and the resulting divisions it creates within society. Greed, as a destructive force, is not presented merely as a personal flaw, but as a phenomenon that causes widespread damage, fracturing communities and relationships. This theme resonates across many societal contexts, from politics to interpersonal relationships.
In the line, *"For power - not shy,"* the poet succinctly illustrates how individuals often discard ethical concerns in their relentless pursuit of power. This brazen disregard for morality speaks to the corrupting influence that greed can exert over human behavior, leading people to justify harmful actions.
**Division vs. Unification**
In the second stanza, the poet contrasts division with unification, presenting division as an inevitable outcome of selfishness. The poet writes, *"For that, there are divisions / Instead of unifications,"* emphasizing how the quest for personal gain comes at the expense of collective harmony. Instead of working toward mutual understanding and cooperation, those driven by greed engage in harmful behaviors, leaving behind destruction in their wake, symbolized by the line *"Breaking others' necks / And leave them on cold decks."* The imagery of broken bodies abandoned on cold surfaces evokes a sense of violence and abandonment, a stark reminder of the consequences of unchecked self-interest.
**Satirical Tone: The Insincerity of Power**
Throughout the poem, the poet adopts a subtle satirical tone, particularly when discussing those in power who exploit the beliefs of others for their own benefit. In the stanza, *"Why do some giggle / Try to goodly puzzle / The belief of sane people / And turn them into a noodle,"* the poet mocks the manipulative actions of these individuals. Their mockery, symbolized by the giggling, suggests an insincere attitude toward the harm they cause. The transformation of the *"sane people"* into a *"noodle"* points to the distortion of their beliefs, indicating how easily people can be manipulated or deceived by those in power.
This satire is also extended to the intellectual dishonesty of those who, with half-baked ideas (*"A half empty brain"*) attempt to project themselves as intelligent or insightful figures. Their shallow attempts at wisdom only serve to cheapen the discourse, yet they somehow manage to *"intelligently make it rain,"* or produce false success. This thinly veiled criticism speaks to the growing prevalence of superficiality in positions of authority.
**The Cycle of Deception and Guilt**
In the final stanza, the poet highlights the cyclical nature of deception, greed, and guilt. The line *"Then get into a fit / Again this is to cheat"* suggests that those who exploit others are themselves caught in a never-ending loop of deceit. Rather than addressing their moral failings, they deflect their guilt by manipulating others into feeling responsible for the resulting harm.
This manipulation is ultimately branded as *"filthy,"* a powerful closing word that carries significant weight. By using this blunt term, the poet strips away any pretense of sophistication or subtlety in the actions of the deceivers. Their behavior is not just wrong—it is fundamentally dirty and corrupt, leaving a stain on their character and society as a whole.
**Rhyme Scheme and Structure**
The poem follows a loose rhyme scheme, with some lines rhyming while others do not. This irregularity mirrors the disorder and unpredictability that the poet seeks to expose in the world. The rhyme is never forced, and the occasional slant rhyme adds to the feeling of dissonance, reinforcing the poem’s message of division and confusion.
The short, clipped lines lend a sense of urgency to the poem, pushing the reader forward. There’s an emotional build-up throughout the poem, with each stanza adding another layer to the critique of selfishness and power dynamics. Despite the weight of the subject matter, the poet maintains a level of accessibility, making it easy for readers to grasp the nuances of her argument.
**Conclusion**
Maggie Vijay-Kumar’s poem *WONDER WHY* is a sharp, insightful exploration of the destructive forces of greed, power, and manipulation. Through vivid imagery, satirical critique, and powerful language, the poem not only addresses the failings of individuals but also reflects on the larger societal structures that enable such behavior. The poet's skillful use of rhyme, rhythm, and metaphor ensures that the poem resonates long after it is read, compelling the reader to reflect on their own place within a world fraught with division and moral compromise.
In this profound work, the poet successfully captures the moral tension that defines much of human interaction, offering no easy solutions but instead urging the reader to question, to *"wonder why,"* and ultimately to strive for a more unified, compassionate world. NAMASKAR
