WIND SINGS FOR THE WISE BY WILLIAM KHALIPWINA MPINA

GENRE: POETRY TITLE: WIND SINGS FOR THE WISE WRITER: WILLIAM KHALIPWINA MPINA, MALAWI REVIEWER: COMFORT NYATI, ZIMBABWE

Every action and pursuit of human endeavour is rapt to the acquisition of contentment and happiness. Generally, strive to acquire and maintain it, it is a personal feeling. Life gets honied when that feeling occupies the better part of our lives, but the moment when someone or the society interferes with ones happiness, the best alternative is to strike a revolution that retains happiness.

Basically, in the poem Wind Sings for the Wise, the poet paints the picture of revolution standing on the angle of happiness. An unusual thing, isnt it? To this, the piece opens with an imagery that alludes to nature, the intermingling of natural bodies. The emphasis follows through the word choice of wind, sky, and horizon. In a delightful tone the phenomenon of happiness lies visible to the reader.

It is sought by everyone including the intellectuals (pregnant minds), it selects no favour. But mostly seeks refuge from humble hearts than self-conceited people. Through the rain and cloud similes we get attuned to the variations, mobility and imperceptibility of happiness. It never stays forever at one place, but keeps repositioning itself. Hence, part of its characteristics is its fluidity and impermanence.

Life presents equal opportunities, so is happiness too. It doesnt stay in one place, as one side is happy another side of the coin might be struggling, but then life changes, it overturns, and it exalts the lower-class while it scatters the upper-class. It is more like a symphony of happiness. This points to the political arena of a given society, directly to those who occupy great portions of wealth to secure their happiness and dominion over the less privileged. The poets use of decorative language to infer the low class, pictures a scenario where and how revolution germinates through the butterfly metaphor, butterflies demanding justice and whose madness the shooting and why the misunderstanding. Thus, those at the bottom of the food chain suffers injustice and the situation leads to an uprising; (the city burns, smoke rises, a voice calling in the streets).

This uprising is a call for reformation, equality and social balance when he notes that happiness shouldnt face one side rather it should be enjoyed by statesmen. On the contrary if happiness resides to the elite of the society only then it calls for an urgent revolution and change, because life presents equal opportunities for all. It shouldnt be the same people enjoying the privileges of the community while the rest suffer the dire of poverty. This is what the poet seeks to address. The issue of societal disequilibrium.