What is despair?

I have seen it.

Is it when a woman looks at her child

And realizes she can’t feed her

Is it when a poor black girl in the ghetto of Brooklyn

Can’t go to college

Is when a man puts his hands on a woman for the first time

And swears it will be his last

What is despair?

I have heard it.

Is it when a man lives the life of a child

Out of fear and despair

Is it when a mother’s sanity snaps

And the child suffers the price

Is it when you look around

And realize you are completely alone.

Is it punishing the innocent

For the crimes of the guilty.

Is it subjecting a person to execution

When no harm was done.

What is despair?

I have felt it.

Is it watching the high and esteem

Become the poor and unstable

Is loving someone

Who will never love you back

Is it lying to the face of someone

Who you say you love

What is despair?

I have smelled it.

Is it the stench of the homeless man

Who searches for food or water

Is it the fragrance of a woman

Whose intentions are evil.

Is it the beautiful poison that spreads through a family

While the wife holds it together

What is despair?

I have tasted it.

Is it the foul words meant to crush one’s soul

Is it the flavor of infidelity

When you think no one is watching

Is it the tang you feel when you’ve taken a life.

What is despair?

It is all things great and evil.

It breaks you down and kicks you

At your lowest point.

It gives you opportunity

It gives you truth

For when you experience despair

All things are seen in a better perspective.

What is despair?

You tell me.