We have come to the cross-roads
And I must either leave or come with you.
I lingered over the choice
But in the darkness of my doubts
You lifted the lamp of love
And I saw in your face
The road that I should take.
I saw this poem by Kwesi Brew, a Ghanian poet, years ago. It has remained with me since. It’s short but evokes a strong emotion. And now, I am calling on you to tell me what you think the theme or analysis is? Who was Brew talking to? When can one use this poem in life to communicate a certain message.
A poem is often subject to diverse individual interpretations so I hope you don’t google to find inspiration from what others have written about it.
Now I can’t wait to see the interpretations you will give to this poem. Do let me know in the comments section.
Very beautiful poem indeed. So simple yet so deep . It can be related to an object and still be so philosophical. It can relate to love, death, hope. Spiritually it can be related to faith in time of difficulties. Personal that is where I did apply it and I have some many instances where just by a spot of faith I held on where is would have been easy to just give. Now let me go and google others interpretations lol
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Thank you, Chiks, for broadening my interpretation of the poem. I used to limit it to love and spirituality. But now I have hope and death. That was good. Yep, you can now google for other interpretations though you pretty much covered it all. And by the way chiks, you had me sleuthing the past couple of days. I will explain later.
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Already did my googling, also found out the poet is late so sad :(. Anyways so curious to know what your inquiry was all about pray tell
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Yes, Kwesi Brew is late now. I will send you an email about the inquiry then. Thank you.
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I think this is a heart warming love poem which seeks to encourage a mutual support during trying moments. Again, it has an instructive meaning of a couple who is at crossroad in life and who needs to move on but wondering if he should stay back or move on without the love of his life, but alas discovered the presence of his love is a lightener when it matters most.
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Wao, Henry, that’s quite good. ‘A lightener when it matters most’-great line. I think you interpretation is the first one that comes to mind when ones reads it. At least that’s the first one that came to my mind when I did. Thank you for your contribution.
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There is sexual connotation nicely crafted. The power love and sex as a unifying bond between both sex . The lamp of love signifies the unique female reproductive organ the very essence of life.
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But the themes have not been made visible to readers
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I felt a ting sense of sadness reading this. Kept me intrigued as to whether he leaves or follows the supposed lover.
A theme I can deduce from it is “Uncertainty of humanity”.
One cannot be so sure of anything.
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