Review of poem “Survivor’s Guilt: A Villanelle” by Anacaona Rocio Milagro

Poem “Survivor’s Guilt: A Villanelle”

by Anacaona Rocio Milagro

 I request readers to read the poem from the above link before reading my review. Thanks.

Review of poem “Survivor’s Guilt: A Villanelle”

by Anacaona Rocio Milagro

The poem highlights the affliction of a prisoner and the irreversible losses suffered. There is no doubt a crime is condemnable and its perpetrator deserves punishment. On the other hand, invariably the abettor goes Scot-free. The biggest strength of this poem is, it highlights the loss of entire youth and togetherness with the loved ones of the prisoners when they are locked inside the walls of the prison. They have to remain completely silent on the abettors. Racism, lack of inclusiveness or lack of empathy or human values in individuals and institutions are abetments outside the arena of enforcement of law. There are certain things none need to suffer, and among the worst of them is certainly prolonged imprisonment. Humanity has never revisited the purpose of imprisonment and whether any prison has the locale for introspection and amelioration. The families of the sentenced person suffer humiliation and abhorrence in several forms. Materialistic side of life certainly can assure some minimum comforts and space for everyone, if only the world turns inclusive. The increasing gap between haves and have-nots and the swelling number of the latter is the genesis of most of the crimes. When there is no soul searching on the part of institutions and individuals, their turning a blind eye to the plight of the majority of humanity’s suffering is certainly an abetment. Our complacence to patriarchy and allied perversions precipitating crimes against women and children too, is an abetment. Voice of a dreamer for the welfare of all, a visionary for equality, opportunity and power to all or a reformer who finds everything needs to change is drowned out by the loud salesmen all around us and we buy their half truths and misguidance and distortions. The following stanza is very disturbing:

I murder through suicide the girl of my youth:

I can’t bear her nostalgia. For each day they serve time,

I’ve died 8,395 times. It’s the truth.

In linear fictions and pulps we have the comfort of hero vs villain, good vs the bad and the protagonist and the antagonist. On the contrary, in modern works, poetry or fiction, the interchangeableness of the various characters’ roles is the canvas. This modern poem emerges strong in what it has left unsaid.

When hearts widen and open there will be space and forum for the underprivileged and marginalized to speak up and demand a share in power, resources and opportunities. Hearts are closed and prison gates are open.