What is Despair?

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.