Hello.
I would apologise for my prolonged absence, but seeing as I cannot say that I’m back, I think I shall hold off on the apologies.
I took a break from writing and everything else for the Christmas holiday and it appears that my ‘inspiration’ hasn’t gotten the resumption memo yet. I’m sure my recent state of happiness has something to do with it too. Funny story. Pain appears to be my muse.
On the left side of this page (or bottom if you’re using the mobile version), there’s a link that takes you to my work on Daily Times Nigeria. I’m a bit more regular on there.
The piece you’re about to read is another one of those selfish ‘this one’s for me’ kind of posts (another reason why i\I can’t apologise really. Perhaps it’d have been better if I’d just stayed away?). As it turns out, writing for me just might be sanatory. And pain, as I mentioned earlier, just might be my muse. I cannot accept this wholeheartedly if I plan to make a career out of this writing thing because I do plan on living a very happy and fulfilled life.
But i digress.
Be merciful in your criticism and minimally harsh in your judgments; this pen is rusty, and ink has only just begun to flow again.
Enjoy?
They pulled at her from the dark. She couldn’t see them but she knew they were there. Though their groping claws didn’t touch her, she sensed them. Close. Watching. Waiting. Their drool made the ground slippery. She stumbled once. This time she could swear she heard them. Heard their laughter. Their mocking laughter. Their mocking, welcoming laughter…
Focus.
She raised her head sharply. Where had that come from? Was it out loud? In her head? Focus? What did it mean? What was she to focus on? Where was she going? “Where am I going?”
Focus.
She looked straight ahead. There was a sliver of light. It was far away but it was there. Before the light though, was darkness. A darkness thicker than the one she was presently enshrouded in. Filled with vileness, wrapped in cloaks of the unknown. She could turn back. Shouldn’t she turn back? She took a few steps forward. She could sense that they were not pleased by this. She felt stronger. And then they were on her again. This time they pushed her down to the ground. All of a sudden the ground wasn’t solid anymore; it had become a swirling vortex of nothingness that was sucking her in. She should just go with it. She wanted to go with it. She was tired. Tired of fighting. Tired of…
Focus!
“On what exactly dammit?! I’m tired!”
Focus child. Focus.
“Get off of me. Get off of me!” They receded. But only for a while she knew. They would keep coming back until she reached the light. She had to reach that light. She had to keep going.
That’s it. Focus. Each time you stumble, you get stronger.
“Why wont you help me?! You can stop them. You can keep them away from me. Keep them away from me! Please. I’m tired. Keep them away from me.”
I am with you. Always.
Always.
D A N I A 
I think you are back…but what do i know??? Leaving with this “That’s it. Focus. Each time you stumble, you get stronger.”
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You reading this at 3am is just…
Thank you. I’m glad you left with something for your trouble.
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I like this very much.
Focusing…
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Thank you Tokunbo :)
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I got goose bumps reading this. This is the same thing I told one of my friends battling depression. The Christian’s fight. Amazing. Short. True. Dania.
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I had goose bumps writing it as well so I’m glad that someone felt it too.
Thank you Efe :)
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Hian! See serious winchi winch tinz oooo… Ayam “Af-SCARED, the “f” is silent”. It’s hard to focus wen u r facing trials sha, all u cn see is d darkness. However, I feel u Dania it’s best 2 remember “I am with you. Always”
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Afscared? Lol.
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Pain is always ‘the’ muse, inspiration abound in difficult times. I totally get that, keep searching you’ll fiind the consistency you seek.
We always need to be reassured, to be reminded that we are not alone. Thank you for this
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Thank you for reading.
And amen to finding the consistency :)
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D message passd is hard to miss (unless ure a blonde). Its really inspiring. Thx Ada.
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Lol @ blonde.
The odd thing is, I didn’t write this with the intent of passing any message. But I’m very happy that people get something out of it.
Thank you too :)
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Wow…I’m tawshed *wipes lone tear* …nice one,you’ve made my day.
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*hands you tiwshue*
Thank you :)
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First, YAY!…somewhat. :)
Secondly, oh the darkness!
But yes, we WILL get to the light. Sooner or later.
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Yes we will :)
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Yay!!!!!!!!!!!!
I’m happy you are back(for a while atleast).
It’s great that you are happy.
I loved this piece. As I loved all the others before.
It spoke to me. It’s the light I long for. Constantly. Constantly. I need to remember to focus and that he’s with me always.
This post served as a reminder. And I’ll bookmark it so I’ll never forget.
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I’m glad it speaks to you that much.
Thank you. Really, thank you.
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Yay!!!!!!!!!!!!
I’m happy you are back(for a while atleast).
It’s great that you are happy.
I loved this piece. As I loved all the others before.
It spoke to me. It’s the light I long for. Constantly. Constantly. I need to remember to focus and that he’s with me always.
This post served as a reminder. And I’ll bookmark it so I’ll never forget. And in the times that I do, this post will remind me. Always. Always.
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Thanx. *likes*
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Thank you too :)
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Okay. Where’s the rest of it?? Ada, we can fight for this thing o???
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Lol!
That’s all oh, inspiration has finished :(
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Beautiful. Touching…..
Tamsdiary-livelife.blogspot.com
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Thank you very much :)
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Nice. I get the message. I need to focus too….
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We all do really. Thank you.
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“Be merciful in your criticism…”. Is this a subliminal?
Nice one Dania. I’m getting bored. Do something wrong.
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I want to say that you did not cross my mind when I wrote that plea.
I would pay a fair amount to see something you’ve penned. Not particularly so that I can critique it, but more because I think your mind is quite interesting and it just may churn out interesting work. Although your use of the quite plebeian phrase ‘Nice One’ diminishes that for me a little. But still.
Thank you Mr Mantis :)
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Ah. Your ego needs a little shine. Very well: A lovely piece, Dania. As a comeback piece, this is ‘electrifying’. Happy?
Interesting that you’d like to see things I’ve written. However…
Once again, lovely piece.
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Lol. Electrifying? Nah, too much.
As you well know, it had nothing to do with my ego. I have just come to not expect ‘regular’ phrases from you.
Chicken.
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Lol. Chicken? I should be upset.
When you get back fully into writing, we’ll see about those irregular phrases.
Sincerely,
Chicken.
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Dear Chicken,
You know how to get at me if you eventually change your mind.
A pleasure Mr Mantis, as always.
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I see both of you. Mantis well done. First Phantom Pages, then UberBetty, now Dania too? One day the Mantis will realize he can only fly so high in the blue highlands. :|
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Same here, Dania.
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HighlandBlue: These are the dividends of Literature. They are very interesting ladies. One can’t help but wonder.
Last time I checked, the blue highlands was some wasteland.
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Arrrgghhhh I knew I should have done something fancy with that blog theme.
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Choi!!!
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Thank God ‘Always’ now has more meaning than a sanitary pad. That will be all Ms Dania. Period.
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Really? Really???
Lol. Smh. We will intensify prayers.
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I love how you left almost all of the entire message to the reader’s discretion and imagination. I enjoyed it. Thank you Ada.
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Always, in the journey of life, you keep walking. so Ada, keep walking. you will be fine. very nice piece. God bless
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