DIDACTIC: "CLOSED EYES" BY MAURICE N CHIADZWA

The Africans say it right, “if you close your eyes

Because of bad people around you, you will not see the good ones passing by”

Remember the things that you hoped for before

The real days, where sunrays would deliver their glow

Remember those days you were crying and craving

Without joy in your heart, your heart was starving

Then came the expired goods, neatly packaged

But the package and empty promises left you outraged

And every promise now feels like it’s written in the sands

And now you cannot trust putting your trust in anyone’s hands

Makes sense, it actually does, I assure you

Sometimes lies come packaged like they are all true

But here is a question without a simple answer for

When you opened your eyes earlier, what were you looking for?

Keep your eyes open and ignore the noise

Keeping hope alive is nothing but a bold choice

So choose you, not some hell-bent source of bitterness

Choose your dreams, not the noise that whirls around you with such a mess

Choose what your heart wants, ignore the distractions

I hope you still see the truth in the dark illusions

All I am trying to say is, with so many words and proverbs

Life is but a short and swift ride to spend on the cud of sour herbs

Don’t let dark days make you forget the feeling of sunrise

Don’t let the times you fell take away your inspiration to rise…

Don’t keep your eyes closed because of some ugly sights

When you shut your eyes, you make it a complete night…

Keep your hope up, keep the dream alive

Live, and live, and live, don’t just breathe and survive

There is magic in the air, open your eyes to see

There is beauty in the darkness, imagine what this will be

Just as there is a sunrise in the darkest part of every night

There is beauty even in the ugliest of your sight

The Africans say it right, “if you close your eyes

Because of bad people around you, you will not see the good ones passing by”

©MAURICE N CHIADZWA 

-Zimbabwe 

“Closed Eyes” by Maurice N. Chiadzwa is a didactic and inspirational poem that explores hope, resilience, and the need to remain optimistic despite life's disappointments. The poet reflects on how betrayal, dishonesty, and painful experiences can make individuals lose trust in others and become blind to new opportunities. Through the recurring proverb about closing one's eyes because of bad people, he warns against allowing negative encounters to overshadow the goodness that still exists in the world. He encourages readers to let go of bitterness, remain committed to their dreams, and find inspiration even in difficult circumstances. The poem ultimately conveys that life is too short to be consumed by past hurts and that maintaining hope and an open mind is essential to recognising life's beauty and possibilities.