"If goodness lead him not, Yet weariness May toss him to my breast" - George Herbert

If goodness lead him not, Yet weariness May toss him to my breast" - George Herbert

Of all kinds of literature, poetry appears to be the most endearing genre. If you would ask me why? I will say; "poetry allows every human express him or herself; as little and as much as they want, putting relevance into their time, mood and words (diction).

Economically , it is the genre that most times applies the principle of KISS (keeping it short and simple) in driving home messages which might take other genres pages in identifying.

More interestingly for me, It allows every person to share same literary piece with different beliefs and sentiments . Just as the Yorùbá maxim will say ; "what seem to face one person:backs another; just like the talking drum.

Obviously these, and many more interesting principles about poetry makes it stand out of other genres.

Meanwhile, Over the years, one of the non African poetry that catches my fancy is George Herbert's poetry entitled " The Pulley".

This beautiful metaphysical piece , by Herbert, having four stanzas, twenty lines, uses simple diction and precise analogy in telling the relationship between God, angels and Human beings.

The first three stanzas made use of Biblical allusion ;

"when God at first made man,

Having a glass of blessings standing by

Let us said he pour on him all we can

Let the world riches which dispersed lie

Contract into a span..........

While the last stanza describes struggle.

" If goodness lead him not, Yet weariness May toss him to my breast..

The poet pontificates the theme of man's INSATISFACTION AND RESTLESSNESS which stands as the reason man will always turn to God at all time of weariness .