- What is it that haunts you? Is it how bad it is to raise the dead? To give life to something that did not own it in the first place? Why does your face fall and twist and gape? Why do you scream with your mouth open and your eyes sad? Where does your passion come from?
- What is it that disgusts you? Is it falling in love with something that you shouldn’t or is it that cupid himself condones this with a smile on his face and an arrow drawn? Is it the unnatural becoming natural? Are you afraid? Are you afraid of what love is capable of?
- Or do you think falling in love with something you’ve created a sin? Do you find it vain and narcissistic? Is it that you’re angry?
- Why don’t you ignore it? Why don’t you turn your head like you see nothing, better yet why don’t you stare at yourself in the mirror? Maybe use your own moral perfections to suppress your feelings of indignation. Do you too want this feeling? Do you find this unfair? Do you find this shameful?
- Are you shocked that something like this can happen? Is it that you’re surprised? Do you think the shallow do not deserve happiness? Do you think the only thing that should be given to them is punishment? Do you not wish them well?
- Is it about the child? The way the mother shields their eyes? Are you frightened for the child or are you against the mother? Do you think this is something a child needs to see? Do you not believe that children should be shielded from the world? Or are you appalled by the child’s presence?
- Maybe you are frightened for the girl? Is it because you know she can never love someone else? Because you know she can have no other purpose than to be with this man? Do you not agree with the fate that she was given? Do you want to save her from him?
- Or maybe it’s because of him. Do you find obsession poisonous? Do see him as a slave to false love? Do you want to save him from his pleasure? Do you want to save him from her?
- Or is it the fish? Are you worried about what will happen to the fish? Are you thinking about how people don’t care about the things that are smaller than them? Are you thinking about the things that are neglected once love is found? Are you thinking about yourself?
- Why do you scream or gape or bellow? Why does your face hold so much pain or anger or shame? Why are your eyes like this? Why is your face like this? Where does your passion come from? What did this to you?
Arit Emmanuela Etukudo 