“Whom the gods would destroy, they first make mad.”
Reverend William Anderson Scott’, Daniel, a Model for Young Men published (1854)
It is a terrifying thought, isn’t it? To think that those deemed worthy of destruction are pushed into madness as a prelude to their ultimate demise. The gods, in their infinite wisdom or should I say cruelty, have devised this fate for us mere mortals.
But what does madness truly entail? Is it the ramblings of a lunatic on a street corner, or is it something more insidious?
Well, madness takes many forms, each unique in its manifestation. It creeps into our lives disguised as creativity or eccentricity before revealing its true nature.
How ironic it is that in our pursuit of greatness, we unknowingly walk hand in hand with madness. We grasp onto its coat-tails, hoping that its touch will grant us genius, but little do we know that it leads us down a dark and twisted path. The gods laugh at our audacity, for they understand the consequences all too well.
How foolish we are, thinking we can outsmart the divine. But the gods are cunning, skilled in the art of manipulation. They whisper sweet promises in our ears, convincing us that madness is the path to greatness. And so, we follow blindly, stumbling through a maze of illusions.
However, amidst the chaos, there is beauty in every word we speak and every action we take. In our madness, we become poets, crafting verses that drip with raw emotion. We see colors where others see only black and white, tasting sounds and hearing smells.
But beware, for the line between genius and insanity is thin, almost imperceptible. The gods play a dangerous game, tempting us with their gifts while slowly but surely eroding our minds. And as we spiral deeper into madness, we must ask ourselves, “Is this really what we desired?”
For the answer lies within us, hidden beneath layers of disillusionment and false clarity. Only when we strip away the facade of madness can we hope to comprehend its true nature. And perhaps, just perhaps, we can break free from the grip of the gods and reclaim our sanity.
Temi Tayo is an emerging poet who draws inspiration from everyday experiences and observations. With a keen eye for detail and an innate ability to capture emotions in words, Tayo’s poetry resonates with readers on a deeply personal level
