Finally,
she went silent and still.
Those eyes!
Tearless, yet crying,
hunted for mercy.
I stood rooted on her;
she was weary,
emaciated with hunger and pain.
Those feeble eyes,
haunted me!
And from the gaze,
she was a bag of bones.
She went still,
slacked, and then went empty,
staring unblinkingly
as her rheumy and sunken eyes
ate my heart out
and skinned me alive,
not ready to let me off the hook!
I advanced towards her
and plonked by her side,
on her death-bed,
as psychic tears flooded my lecherous eyes;
I felt culpable
for stabbing her in the back,
for sending her to the grave.
I felt her soft and scorching touch;
I was anguished,
as her hands grew cold
like a dog’s nose.
I watched the light fade from her eyes
and exhaled what was left of my sanity:
all was on me
for bartering her life away
to this chronic and incurable malady.
© 2022 Dennis Odhiambo
All rights reserved.
Meet the writer.
Dennis Odhiambo is Kenyan. He is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree programme in Education (Arts), English and Literature, at Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST) located in the Western Province Kenya. He has been writing poetry since high school and draws his inspiration from reading the works of renowned poets such as Jared Angira (Kenyan) and the Late Langstone Hughes (American). He currently runs a website where he showcases his writing skills.
Editor’s note: In this descriptive poem, Dennis uses imagery and diction, among other styles, to sensibly potray the persona’s feeling of guilt over infecting his beloved with “this chronic and incurable malady” and miserably watching her die.
The title of the poem too is symbolic to this feeling. The term spoor, according to Oxford Learners Dictionary, refers to a track or smell that a wild animal leaves as it travels. In this case, the malady is taken for a roaming wild animal who leaves behind an indelible feeling of guilt as it moves from one victim to another in a connected chain, devouring each of them.
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Laminsa Indies 
Sad but powerful poem, Dennis.👏👏
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It’s my pleasure getting such powerful and encouraging comments. I’m very humble. I honestly appreciate your kind words.
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I like to read poems and I found pleasure in reading you, so I encouraged. You deserve it, dear
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Stick in touch. I look forward to keeping you entertained by more! I’m much humbled.
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Yeah sure, dear. I will be in touch with you ☺️
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Amazing poem. Wonderful. Thanks for sharing.💕🙏💕
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Wow, that’s awesome. I’ll keep up with the spirit. I’m much humbled by your encouraging words Grace.
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So nice to hear that.💕
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Appreciate you!
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💕🙏💕
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Thank you many times, Grace. I’m glad you liked it. 💖💖
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I sure did.My pleasure.💕
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This is a good work, neat and clear writing indeed. I feel encouraged by what you’re doing here, Lamittan. Thumbs-up, Dennis, for such a skillful and fascinating poem.
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Hey Derrick, I’m extremely impressed by your stunning comment. It keeps me yearning for more! I’m humbled by your kind words.
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Ever so grateful, Derrick. Blessings to you 🙏
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What a thrilling and breathtaking piece! The Spoor is an indication of how a writer’s imaginations can be diverse and interesting. I enjoyed, lil brother. Always a pleasure seeing what you do here. Good work, Odhiambo. Stars all the way.
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Hey Thompson. I’m much humbled by your encouraging words. It’s my pleasure hearing such motivating words from you. I’m humbled!
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Welcome. I tip off my hat for you. Keep writing, son.
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I’m much humbled. Appreciate you!
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This poem is a beautiful tragedy, it is sad but I have a great pleasure reading it. Love the conviction of the poem. Kudos to you both, keep up the amazing work Lam. 💖💖💖💖
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I’m much humbled by your kind words Daphny. Appreciate you!
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You’re most welcome! 🤗🌸
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Many thanks to you dear Daph, your motivation is always highly appreciated and welcome. 💖💖🌺
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You’re most welcome Lam! You my friend are an inspiration. 💖
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Lots of gratitude to you, dear. You too are an inspiration to me, in many ways. 💖🤗
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I am extremely glad I could be, thank you so much. 💖🥰
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Indeed!!! My pleasure 🙏 🥰
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💖💖💖
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Such a wonderful expression of love, fear and guilt. Thanks for sharing.
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You’re most welcome James!
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Thank you so much, schoolmate. Hoping you’re fine on the other side of these valleys (remember?) 🤗💖
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I felt like I was watching this poem being lived out. I was glad I wasn’t though.
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Thank you!
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Oh dearie, ain’t that so charming of you to say! I’m glad it sounded real to you. Thank you always. 😊
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Such a deeply moving, visceral piece, Dennis. Emotional and painful and written with such skill and care. You’re an immensely talented poet. What a wonderful piece. 🙂
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I’m humbled by your kind words. Looking forward to serving you more of your taste. Keep in touch!
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Looking forward to serving you more of your taste. Keep in touch!
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Oh Mike, thank you in a big way for taking time to read and leave such a heart-warming compliment. I’m pleased you enjoyed this wonderful poem by Dennis.
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Such a powerful poem! Thank you for sharing 🙏
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Thank you so much, charming Ingrid. I’m glad you liked this, dear.💖 🙏
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I love this piece and particularly enjoyed the literary devices employed by the poet.
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Oh wow, thank you so much for you kind remarks, for sacrificing your precious time to read, dear. Glad to see you again! Such an honour. 💖🌟🤝
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You are welcome.
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I’m much humbled by your kind words.
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Beautiful! Alive with grief, so packed with emotion; multi-faceted and relatable.
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Thank you many times for your heart-warming compliment, Jaya. I’m glad you enjoyed this, dear. 🤗💕
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Beautifully written, Dennis…thanks for sharing, Lamittan ✨
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Many thanks to you for reading and leaving such a kind and thoughtful comment 😊
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You’re very welcome 💫
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Fascinating poem indeed.
Keep up the good work Dennis. 👏
Looking forward to more of your creative works.
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I’m humbled by your kind words of encouragement. Hopefully I’ll serve you more, perhaps to your taste 😉
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Stay in touch, you can as well visit my web, for more pieces…..
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Wow, what a gutteral heart wrenching piece shared Lamittan! 💖
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Many thanks, my dear Cindy. M glad you enjoyed. 💖💖
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You’re soooo welcome! 💖💖💖💖
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💖🥰💝❤
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💖💖
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