Parallelism- a style encompassed in poetry and narration
describing simultaneous situations that are similar in certain aspects but
occur under very different circumstances. The concept is derived from the word parallel. Remember those geometrical
lines that ran in the same direction but were never to meet ahead? Well, such
is the paradox of life and death.
News headlines all over the country have been a tribute to
the late Hon. Mutula KIlonzo since his demise on Saturday morning. The
different stations competing (as usual) and attempting to unravel the brilliant
and gifted man he was. Up till now, no one knows what exactly caused his
untimely death. Speculations and hearsay are all Kenyans are getting from the
media. It is said that the honourable went to bed and was never seen alive
thereafter. He was all alone in his room through the night.
Now if you’ve ever lost someone close to you, you understand
how painful it is. That feeling of being chocked by the throat and when you try
speaking all that comes out is tears. They flow aimlessly down as if to block
all your visions of life thereafter. The sight of so many people when the one
you want to see lies motionless in some box. Grieve is what you can only do.
On another tiny hospital bed this evening, a little princess
sleeps warm beside her mother. Her father has probably stepped out of the room
to escort all their friends who have been visiting with their congratulatory messages
since her Grande arrival on planet earth.
To be honest though, the birth process wasn’t all bliss and
Elysium at first for me-an observer. In fact, when I saw that tiny head
struggling to come out to the world I was scared and unsure of the outcome. I
have read widely on scenarios of congenital anomalies such as a bad heart, a
blue baby, too many toes, no toes, a big head, and no head…hell! Anything could
go wrong!
It could but it
didn’t. Not in the very least today. She came out with ten perfect and tiny
toes and fingers. She let out a soft cry and opened her eyes and when I held
her in my arms I understood how mighty God is. The feeling was amazing!! Surely
no amount of writing can sum up the pride and sheer joy that encircles your
entire being when you come face to face with a new-born baby.
And so the circle of life continues. As it has been and as
it shall continue to be. That while others jump in joy and jubilation, others
wail and weep in despondency. I would like to join my countrymen to mourn the
loss of a mighty giant and look up as well to the proud parents and
congratulate them on their daughter’s arrival. Mean as it seems, that is life
and it must go on.
