THE DAYS OF SPARROW
ATMOSPHERE
The atmosphere is tense, dark, chaotic, manipulative, and emotionally disturbing. The poem creates a fearful political environment filled with betrayal, desperation, greed, violence, and hidden danger.
THE DAYS OF SPARROW
Man is the best when men behold him afar.
The closer he comes,
The monster he becomes.
Take a look at his manifesto
And gossip to us what he's up to
Give him power and wed fear.
My political participation is base on, "well".
Like I would build my hut on the East West Bridge.
Of course I know they are lovers of Bridge
They show you their card
And you do nothing than run mad
They can't serve you well.
My friends, take! Take!! Take!!!
That money is borrowed somewhere,
When he wins the throne, you shall see the tear.
Never risk your life to give him throne,
He can offer nothing except bone,
And mistakes shall be all the steps you take.
Woe is almost all they do.
Take from them food, and then your destiny is gone.
Get financial help from them and your lifespan is shortened,
And there you walk, though long gone.
You can't tell how the money was managed.
Like a ready scribe, they will always be on the go.
Let's pardon him for the meantime, he's an asset,
He will be of value in this election.
Use him, and behold your promotion,
And then present to him detention
In jail shall he hear the result of the election.
His life shall be decided by fate.
It's not really your fault anyway.
Like Lasswel would say, "...anyway, any means.
It doesn't really matter if one dies
All that matters is that the kingdom is departed,
And a share given to lizard,
She doesn't have motherly care in any way.
Beware!
You're a cotton board in the eyes of the politicians.
And what do you do with a cotton board?
Play dice with it and then,
Throw them overboard.
"You need it no more"
Be careful
The world is only big when you look at the landmass
And consider the masses.
When you think of the countries
And their boundaries,
Let's not be a fool.
Consider how small you are
And the Lord is calling you a Nation.
That's how dangerous it is to think the world is too big.
Pay close attention;
The mirror can show better, you aren't big.
The Christ in you should be who you are.
Make the politicians your protagonist
And he will give ten thousand for fifty persons.
Trust me, you will strike your brother,
And commit murder.
He receives the sad funny news at dawn.
And now I tell you, beware of your protagonist.
“Never risk your life to give him throne, He can offer nothing except bone”
AUTHOR’S NOTE
The Days of Sparrow was inspired by the hidden darkness surrounding politics and elections in society. The poem examines how politicians manipulate the masses, exploit poverty, encourage division, and destroy human relationships for personal ambition. It exposes the greed, violence, deception, and emotional damage often connected to political struggles. Through philosophical warnings and symbolic expressions, the poem encourages readers to rethink blind political loyalty and understand the dangerous consequences of allowing selfish leaders to control society.
THEME(S)
The dominant theme of the poem is political corruption. The poet exposes how politicians deceive citizens with promises they never intend to fulfill.
Another important theme is manipulation. The poem shows how leaders use money, fear, and emotional influence to control people during elections.
Violence and destruction form another central idea. Political ambition drives people into hatred, betrayal, imprisonment, and even murder.
The theme of greed is strongly visible throughout the poem. Politicians seek power at all costs without considering the suffering of ordinary citizens.
Betrayal also appears as a major concern. Citizens sacrifice relationships and personal dignity for politicians who later abandon them.
The poem equally explores ignorance and blind loyalty. Many people allow themselves to become tools in political games without understanding the consequences.
SUMMARY
First Stanza: The poet explains that many political leaders appear admirable from a distance, but their true destructive nature becomes visible once they gain power.
Second Stanza: The poet expresses distrust toward political participation by comparing political promises to unstable foundations that cannot support anything meaningful.
Third Stanza: The poem warns people against accepting political money because such gifts eventually lead to pain, regret, and disappointment.
Fourth Stanza: The poet describes politicians as dangerous individuals whose financial assistance often comes with hidden consequences and exploitation.
Fifth Stanza: The poem reveals how politicians use people temporarily during elections and later abandon or imprison them after gaining power.
Sixth Stanza: Using the political theory of Lasswell, the poet explains how politicians pursue power by any means necessary, even if lives are destroyed.
Seventh Stanza: The poet compares ordinary citizens to disposable objects used and discarded by politicians after elections.
Eighth Stanza: The poem reminds readers of human weakness and encourages humility, wisdom, and spiritual consciousness.
Final Stanza: The poet warns people against worshipping politicians because such loyalty can lead to violence, hatred, and the destruction of family bonds.
LITERARY DEVICES
Metaphor appears throughout the poem. Politicians are presented as dangerous predators while citizens are compared to disposable materials.
Symbolism is strongly used. “Throne” symbolizes political power, while “bone” symbolizes empty reward and suffering.
Irony appears in politicians pretending to serve the people while actually exploiting them.
Allusion appears in the mention of Lasswell, referencing political theories connected to power and governance.
Personification appears when fear is described as something married to political power.
Satire dominates the poem as the poet mocks political greed, deception, and manipulation.
Imagery is vivid throughout the work, helping readers picture violence, bribery, detention, and emotional destruction.
MOOD
The mood is tense, cautionary, angry, reflective, and emotionally heavy.
TONE
The tone is critical, philosophical, sarcastic, and warning in nature. The poet openly condemns political manipulation and societal ignorance.
STRUCTURE
The poem combines both rhymed patterns and free verse structure, making it stylistically dynamic and emotionally expressive.
Several stanzas contain noticeable end rhyme and sound repetition, especially in sections such as: “Take! Take!! Take!!! That money is borrowed somewhere When he wins the throne, you shall see the tear.” Here, the poet intentionally creates partial rhyme through the words “somewhere” and “tear,” producing a spoken rhythm that strengthens the warning tone of the stanza.
Another example appears in: “Use him, and behold your promotion, And then present to him detention In jail shall he hear the result of the election.” The repeated “tion” sound creates internal musicality and reinforces the harsh political consequences described in the lines.
Similarly:
“Trust me, you will strike your brother, And commit murder.” The stanza carries strong rhythmic closure suitable for spoken word performance.
At the same time, many parts of the poem remain irregular and free flowing, especially where the poet becomes philosophical, cautionary, or emotionally reflective. These free verse sections allow the poet freedom to express political frustration naturally without being restricted by strict meter or rhyme.
The poem therefore operates through a hybrid structure:
- Rhythmic and partially rhymed stanzas for emotional intensity
- Free verse passages for deep social commentary and philosophical warning
This combination strengthens the spoken word quality of the poem and mirrors the unstable, chaotic, and manipulative political atmosphere being described.
The irregular movement between rhyme and free verse also reflects the unpredictability of politics itself, where promises, emotions, fear, betrayal, and violence constantly shift without stability.
KEY LINES EXPLAINED
“Give him power and wed fear”
The poet suggests that many politicians become dangerous and oppressive once they gain authority.
“That money is borrowed somewhere”
Political gifts are not genuine generosity. Citizens eventually suffer for every corrupt political expense.
“You're a cotton board in the eyes of the politicians”
Ordinary people are treated as temporary tools useful only during elections.
“The Christ in you should be who you are”
The poet advises readers to maintain moral consciousness instead of allowing politics to destroy their humanity.
“Trust me, you will strike your brother”
Political loyalty can create hatred and division among family members and close friends.
LESSONS FROM THE POEM
- Citizens should not blindly trust politicians.
- Political gifts often come with hidden consequences.
- Violence for political ambition destroys society.
- People should value humanity above political loyalty.
- Power without morality becomes dangerous.
- Spiritual consciousness is necessary in political participation.
Spoken Word Moment
“Beware! You're a cotton board in the eyes of the politicians.”
REFLECTION OR CONCLUSION
The Days of Sparrow is a powerful social and political criticism exposing the hidden darkness surrounding elections and political leadership. Through vivid imagery, satire, symbolism, and emotional warnings, the poet reveals how greed and ambition destroy communities and relationships.
The poem challenges readers to think independently, reject blind loyalty, and protect their humanity from political manipulation.
Ultimately, the work stands as both a warning and a philosophical commentary on the dangerous realities of power and corruption.
READER’S CONTEMPLATION
- How many lives have politics destroyed in silence?
- Why do people continue risking their lives for leaders who later abandon them?
- Can society truly progress when power becomes more important than humanity?
From the Desk of E. L. TEDDY
"The throne pursued without conscience often becomes a graveyard for humanity.
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