POETIC ANALYSIS : DARKNESS BEHIND THE FACES BY DR. SHAKIRA NANDINI

DARKNESS BEHIND THE FACES
POEM BY
Dr. Shakira Nandini 
There are dreams in hearts, yet smoke clouds every eye—
Why does every face reflect a mirrored lie?
Upon the lips, the name of truth divine—
Yet hearts roar wild with ego's hidden cry.
Those who poison minds in wisdom's name,
Why are they our leaders, raised so high?
A silent heart, a spectacle in sight—
The light is lost—why does the soul not fly?
I spoke not out, yet silence held no peace,
A flame I was—but burned not fully dry.
When truth's pure ray touched hearts for but a breath,
Why did they turn away and pass it by?
That was the hour of fire, the time of pain—
Why is mankind so far from self thereby?
In every hush of night, a spark of madness sleeps,
Why does a sigh hide in calm lullaby?
You are the lamp, O heart—go guide your way,
But why does this dark veil still drape the sky?
Once there was a voice—“Stop! This path is wrong”—
Why now does even that seem but a lie?
God forbid we fall in love with night—
Why hides the day in the spell darkness wove so sly?
Copyright to
DR. SHAKIRA NANDINI
ANALYSIS
This poignant poem grapples with a profound sense of disillusionment and existential questioning. It explores the chasm between ideals and reality, truth and deception, and the perplexing inertia of humanity in the face of its own spiritual and moral decline.
The poem opens with a stark contrast: "dreams in hearts" versus "smoke clouds every eye," immediately establishing a theme of obscured vision and lost clarity. This idea is reinforced by the "mirrored lie" reflected on faces, suggesting a pervasive insincerity and a lack of genuine self-expression. The poet laments the hypocrisy of uttering "truth divine" while "hearts roar wild with ego's hidden cry," highlighting the deep-seated conflict between outward piety and inner corruption.
A central concern is the elevation of those who "poison minds in wisdom's name" to leadership positions, questioning the judgment and values of society. This speaks to a crisis of discernment, where genuine wisdom is overlooked in favor of deceptive rhetoric. The image of "a silent heart, a spectacle in sight" suggests a profound spiritual paralysis, where the inner light is extinguished and the soul is unable to transcend its earthly bonds.
The poet's own internal conflict is revealed in "I spoke not out, yet silence held no peace, A flame I was—but burned not fully dry." This indicates a suppression of truth, perhaps out of fear or resignation, but also a lingering desire to ignite change, even if unfulfilled. The recurring motif of humanity turning away from "truth's pure ray" when it "touched hearts for but a breath" underscores a collective unwillingness to embrace enlightenment, leading to a state of being "far from self."
The poem ends with a series of introspective and somber questions. The "spark of madness" in the night and the "sigh hid in calm lullaby" hint at an underlying unrest and sadness despite outward tranquility. The poet implores the "heart" to be a guiding lamp, yet wonders why a "dark veil still drape the sky," suggesting an enduring sense of spiritual oppression. The loss of a guiding voice ("Stop! This path is wrong") and its current perception as "but a lie" points to a complete breakdown of moral compass.
Ultimately, the poem expresses a deep yearning for authenticity and spiritual awakening, coupled with a despairing observation of humanity's preference for darkness and illusion. The repeated "why" throughout the poem is not merely a question, but a lament, reflecting the poet's profound confusion and sorrow at the state of the world.- WILLIAMSJI MAVELI