The Evil Martyr
Brian Sankarsingh shares a poem that was inspired by current events
When will we ever learn that violence is not the way to save a democracy? In fact when we resort to violence it often suggest that our democracy has already suffered a terrible blow. History has showed us time and time again that turning a person into a martyr often sanctifies their cause. It overshadows their flaws and complicates the path to peace, objective understanding and resolution.
In a village draped in shadowy breath Lived a man with a heart of dread His eyes held stories of deceit Of pain and tears where he had tread His hands were stained with countless sins Whispers followed where he'd been A tyrant's rule, a cruel grin Nothing hid the snake within Yet fate can twist with cunning guise And turn the world with a mere surprise For in the depths of darkest night An unknown enemy arose to fight The battle fierce, the village burned In chaos' wake, the tide had turned The evil man, now cornered tight Faced his end in the dim moonlight But as he fell, a cry rang out The people, once in fear and doubt Saw not the villain of their plight But a defender in their blinded sight For in that final, tragic stand He saved a child with his own hand And though his past was dark and grim In that moment, they honored him They saw him as a fallen knight A martyr in the dying light Forgetting all the pain he’d sown Embracing him as one of their own His brush with death, a hero's crown The tale of his misdeeds worn down An evil man, in martyr's guise Found redemption in their eyes Thus history, with fickle pen Wrote tales of good from hearts of men A lesson carved in time's own art That even darkness hides a heart
Bio: BRIAN SANKARSINGH is a Trinidadian-born Canadian immigrant who has published several books of poetry on a wide range of social and historical themes including racism, colonialism, and enslavement. Sankarsingh artfully blends prose and poetry into his storytelling creating an eclectic mix with both genres. This unique approach is sure to provide something for everyone.
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