THE PLOT, SETTING, THEMES, CHARACTERS AND DRAMATIC DEVICES IN "THE LION AND THE JEWEL" BY WOLE SOYINKA.

 

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1. The Plot

"The Lion and The Jewel" is a play written by Wole Soyinka, a Nigerian playwright and Nobel laureate. The play, first published in 1963, is set in the fictional village of Ilujinle in Nigeria and explores the clash between traditional African culture and Western influence.

The plot revolves around three main characters: Sidi: A young and beautiful village girl who is highly sought after by the local men for her charm and beauty. Lakunle: A young and educated schoolteacher who is determined to modernize the village and win Sidi's heart. He represents the influence of Western culture and ideas. Baroka: The crafty and cunning village chief who desires Sidi as his newest wife. He symbolizes the traditional African culture and its struggle to preserve its values. The story begins with Lakunle's attempts to court Sidi using modern Western methods, such as writing poetry and advocating for women's rights. However, Sidi is not easily impressed and is more drawn to the traditional ways of her culture. She is flattered by Baroka's interest in her, and this leads to a series of comedic and dramatic events. Baroka, aware of Lakunle's intentions, devises a plan to win Sidi's heart. He pretends to be impotent, hoping that Sidi will be attracted to him out of pity and desire for the prestigious title of being his newest wife. As the story unfolds, the struggle for Sidi's affection intensifies, and the clash between traditional values and modernity becomes more pronounced.

Through witty dialogue and clever plot twists, the play explores themes of culture, power, gender roles, and the impact of colonialism on traditional societies. In the end, Baroka's plan works, and he successfully marries Sidi, reaffirming the traditional values of the village. The play concludes with a message that tradition and culture should not be abandoned but adapted to the changing times while maintaining their essence and identity.

 

2. Setting

The setting of "The Lion and The Jewel" by Wole Soyinka is a fictional village called Ilujinle in Nigeria. The village represents a typical rural African community with its customs, traditions, and way of life. The play's events take place in this village, where the characters interact and the conflicts between modernity and tradition unfold.

The village is portrayed as a place where cultural norms and rituals are deeply ingrained, and where the influence of the village chief, Baroka, is significant. It is also the home of Sidi, the beautiful young woman who becomes the center of attention for both Baroka and the modern-minded schoolteacher, Lakunle. Throughout the play, the setting of the village plays a crucial role in shaping the characters' beliefs and actions, as they navigate the complexities of African culture and the impact of Western influences. The clash between tradition and modernity is vividly depicted against the backdrop of this rural Nigerian village

3. Themes

a. Clash Between Tradition And Modernity: One of the central themes of the play is the clash between traditional African values and modern influences. This is depicted through the character of Lakunle, the schoolteacher who advocates for modernization, and Baroka, the traditional village chief. The play raises questions about the impact of Westernization on traditional African societies and the struggle to preserve cultural heritage.

b. Power And Manipulation: The theme of power is prevalent throughout the play, particularly in the character of Baroka, the cunning and influential village chief. He uses various tactics, including manipulation and charm, to assert his authority and maintain control over the village. The play explores how power dynamics can shape relationships and influence decision-making.

c. Female Empowerment and Gender Roles: The character of Sidi, the beautiful village girl, highlights the theme of female empowerment and the evolving roles of women in African society. Sidi challenges traditional gender norms and expectations, leading to a shift in the dynamics between men and women in the village. Cultural Preservation: "The Lion and The Jewel" emphasizes the importance of preserving cultural traditions and values. Despite the allure of modernity, the play underscores the significance of maintaining a connection to one's roots and heritage.

d. Perception and Beauty: The concept of beauty and its subjective nature is explored through the character of Sidi, whose beauty is highly admired by the village men, including Baroka and Lakunle. The play delves into the idea of beauty as a form of power and how it can affect relationships and self-perception.

e. Theater and Performance: As a play within a play, "The Lion and The Jewel" incorporates elements of traditional African performance and storytelling. The use of theater and performance in the play underscores the importance of storytelling as a means of preserving cultural history and passing down knowledge.

f. Education and Westernization: The play also addresses the role of education in African societies and its association with Westernization. Lakunle's desire to modernize the village is linked to his belief in the power of education and the potential benefits it can bring to the community.

4. Characters and characterization

"The Lion and The Jewel" features several significant characters who contribute to the play's themes and conflicts. Let's explore the main characters and their characterization:

a. Sidi: Sidi is a young and beautiful village girl in Ilujinle. She is portrayed as confident, flirtatious, and aware of her attractiveness. Sidi embraces her role as the village's "Jewel" and takes pride in her appearance and the attention she receives from men. Throughout the play, she becomes a symbol of the clash between traditional values and modernity, as both Baroka and Lakunle vie for her affection.

b. Baroka: Chief Baroka is the cunning and crafty village chief of Ilujinle. He is depicted as a shrewd and wise leader who uses manipulation and wit to maintain his authority over the village. Baroka is portrayed as an older man, and despite his age, he remains interested in Sidi and seeks to add her to his harem of wives. His pursuit of Sidi becomes a central conflict in the play, representing the traditional way of life resisting the forces of change.Lakunle:

c. Lakunle is an educated and idealistic schoolteacher who has adopted Western ways and ideologies. He represents modernity and advocates for progress and change in the village. Lakunle often clashes with Baroka due to their opposing views on culture and tradition. He is genuinely in love with Sidi but struggles to understand her values and the allure of tradition.

d. Sadiku: Sadiku is an older woman and one of Baroka's wives. She is depicted as wise, experienced, and loyal to her husband. Sadiku serves as a mediator between Baroka and Sidi, providing insights into the village's dynamics and traditions.

e. Villagers: Various minor characters in the village, including the schoolchildren and the villagers, provide a backdrop to the central conflicts. Their reactions and responses to the events in the play highlight the collective mindset of the village community.

5. Dramatic Devices

In "The Lion and The Jewel," Wole Soyinka employs various dramatic devices to enhance the storytelling and engage the audience. Some of the key dramatic devices used in the play include:

1. Soliloquy and Monologue: Characters often speak their inner thoughts and emotions aloud, allowing the audience to gain insights into their motivations and perspectives. These soliloquies and monologues add depth to the characters and provide a better understanding of their actions.

2. Dramatic Irony: There are instances of dramatic irony, where the audience knows something that the characters do not. This creates tension and anticipation as the audience waits to see how the characters will react when they discover the truth.

3. Metaphorical Language: The play uses rich and evocative metaphors to convey complex ideas and emotions. These metaphors add depth and beauty to the dialogue and enhance the poetic nature of the play.

4. Folktales and Legends: Traditional African folktales and legends are woven into the play, providing cultural context and adding an element of storytelling within the story. These tales often carry symbolic meanings and highlight the importance of storytelling in African culture.

5.Play within a Play: The play incorporates elements of theater within the story, blurring the lines between reality and performance. This adds layers of complexity to the narrative and reflects the significance of performance and art in African traditions.

6. Song and Dance: Music, song, and dance are essential components of the play, reflecting the vibrant and expressive nature of African culture. They heighten the emotional impact of certain scenes and contribute to the overall theatrical experience.

7. Symbolism: Several objects and actions in the play carry symbolic meanings, such as the "Lion" representing the chief's authority and power, and the "Jewel" signifying Sidi's beauty and allure. These symbols enrich the play's themes and add depth to the characters' interactions.

8. Cultural Rituals and Ceremonies: The play incorporates traditional African rituals and ceremonies, emphasizing the importance of cultural practices in shaping the characters' beliefs and actions.

 

Where is the guy I married? Written by Oyekule Lizzy

Episode 1
“Wiiiiiieeeeeeennnn, wieeeeeeeeeeeeeeen, wieeeeeennnnnennnn” my baby’s cry geared on and on.
“Jesus, please stop her. Please calm her down. What do I know is wrong with her now?” I kept muttering to myself as I sat up and held my three month old baby in my arm. She was crying profusely.
Tears dotted her face like little puddles of water. She doesn’t want to be appeased. She refused to be breastfed too. What shall I do?
I climbed down the bed and danced around while singing lullabies for her but instead of being appeased, Blossom kept crying.
“Is it her diapers?” I asked myself. I went to her wardrobe and brought out another diaper. I went back to the bed, sat down, removed all of her clothes and off I set to the bathroom.
After giving Blossom a warm bath, I came back to the bedroom to dress her in another light, comfortable sleeper after applying sufficient powder on her body and enough oil on her scalp. Yet, the cry continued. I was frustrated.
I brought her close to my bosom as I raised my blouse but her little hands pulled my blouse down meaning “I don’t want your jugs!” She cried the more!
We were in the hospital that very day before for the ante-natal. The last vaccination was not like this o! Though she cried it was not as bad as this. This incessant cry, I have been told to anticipate but I didn’t expect it would be this much. I eased the blouse she was wearing and checked her small shoulder which was the ‘venue’ for the substance causing my baby’s discomfort. I rubbed it over and over again. She cried the more. I put my baby down, knelt beside my bed and cried!
Is this how motherhood thing is? God, this is unbearable! I cried and cried.
You might be thinking, where is your husband? Is your baby fatherless? My dear people, no! My husband is alive,. He is safe and sound.
All the while the drama unfolded, Dave slept so beautifully as if nothing was happening. My baby’s tears and my own- everything was in his ears like lullabies urging him to sleep on.
This was not the man I married!
When I just got married to him, my sleeplessness made him sleepless. When I turned on my side on the bed, he would wake up, no matter how deep his sleep was. He would cuddle me and sing into my ears till I fall I asleep but now, he just didn’t bulge.
He turned in his sleep and sat up. I looked at him and shook my head.
“Dear, are you just…” I was saying when he shut me up.
“What’s the noise about?” He asked, still very sleep-drunk.
I looked at him very intensely, my heart beat rising so fast. Can’t he see my tears? Can’t he see that I need a word of encouragement?
“Are you crying?” he asked, yawning, scratching his head and looking away. My already swollen heart ripped open that I cried aloud.
“Dave, where are you? What is happening? Where is my husband? What has happened to us?” I cried on and on. He shook his head, let out a brief hiss, came down from the bed, picked up a pillow and out of the room he went!
My cry stopped abruptly!
“Is this a dream?” I asked myself
I couldn’t hold it anymore. I tucked my already dozing baby in her small cradle and jumped out of the room as if being pursued by a jackal!
Dave was on the settee, supporting himself with the pillow and some other throw pillows. He was snoring! He looked so unbothered.
One spirit told me to slap him awake, the other told me ‘Liz, take things easy’ I obeyed the latter, walked close to him, knelt down beside him and tapped him.
“Ohhh, Liz, what’s it? Its midnight. Sleep! If not, let me sleep!” he said.
‘I won’t cry!’ I told myself. I called my Spirit, Soul and Body to let’s fight the battle together.
“Dave, what’s wrong? You couldn’t hear Blossom crying so heavily. Could you?”
“Of course I could. But you know, cuddle her, sing to her, do everything. She would sleep”
“yes, I have tried everything but they didn’t work. I think it’s the vaccination that is the cause.”
“Well, if it didn’t work when the mother tried all, would it work if I tried? Liz, try to be reasonable!” He said. I blinked so hard to avoid my tears from falling.
“You could still show care Dave. You are supposed to show me care” My eyes failed me as I started crying again. Dave hissed!
“See Liz, this cry is irritating! Grow up! What’s the difference between you and Blossom? When a grown up tries to behave like a baby, she becomes an imbecile!” he blurted out. I sat on the cold tiles, picked one of the throw pillows and I started banging it on the floor thinking the experience would wake me up from my slumber. I felt a sharp headache.
“Dave, I have lost you! Jesus, I have lost my husband!” I cried out over and over again.
Our marriage is only a year old. What is happening? Those times when I was pregnant and I was acting a kid that was sobbing, he would cuddle me and call me “my baby with my baby” while he wiped my tears. Now, this isn’t even an act and it irritated him. It didn’t pain him, it didn’t concern him! What has suddenly come over him?
He had been behaving weird and absurd for many days now but now it’s getting out of hand.
I went close to him and sat beside him. I held his hand which he reluctantly allowed. I sighed at this.
“Dave, please, let’s pray. I can sense that something is wrong.” I said. He threw my hands away, hissed and stood up.
“Don’t bring in prayers into something like this. Why are you being illogical? If you can’t let me be, I will leave the house for you” he said, wore his slip-ons and walked towards the door.
As he was about to open, I blocked him.
Where is he going to? It’s just few minutes to midnight. This night? God forbid!” I thought to myself.
I looked into his face and my heart yearned for my husband, but his eyes scared me. They were red as burning coals. My heart started racing.
I cried out as he caught my right hand and pushed me off his way into one of the arm chairs. It was so painful.
The key turned twice and the door opened. There was a loud bang as he closed the door behind him.
“Jesus! This can’t be your will right? But you told me it is Dave and no one else. That was why I said yes. You did! What’s it now?…Oh God!”
I could cry no more. The veins at the sides of my head were thumping to the extent that the noise disturbed me! My head was banging as if yam was being pounded in it. I was exhausted. My nose was blocked! My eyes were heavy.
Where is my caring, loving, prayerful and peace-loving husband and father of Blossom? It’s obviously not this monster!
Where is my husband? Can someone just tell me his whereabouts?
TO BE CONTINUED…
Credit: Gospelbreed.com.

Why Improve Your Communication Skills ? 5 Important Reasons by Rizvana Manzoor

There are quite a few skills necessary for
success in life and communication is one of
the most important ones. If you do not
already know how to get your point across
to others, while also understanding what
they are saying, then it is very important
for you to improve your communication skills without
waiting for things to get out of hand. Some of the most
crucial benefits of developing your communication skills are:

1. There will complete clarity in all of your dealings with
other people. Proper sending and receiving of messages
ensures that there is no scope for misunderstandings. When
there is perfect clarity in a relationship, then each party
knows exactly what the other person's expectations are and
can then choose to fulfil them or not. In case the
expectations cannot be fulfilled then the other person can at
least be informed about it so that there is no residual
resentment.

2. You will be able to get people to work according to your
requirements. If you learn the skill of good communication
then other people will be quite eager to work along with you.
In fact, people who communicate very well are generally
more successful at everything they do because they get a
lot of co-operation from others. Furthermore, people who
communicate badly tend to face lots of opposition from
others due to many reasons.

3. There will be very little conflict in your life since there will
be very few misunderstandings. The very fact that you are
required to listen carefully as part of a two-way
conversation will help you indicate respect for the other
person. You will therefore hardly ever experience frustration
and anxiety. As a matter of fact, you will also be able to
improve all your relationships.

4. You will have tremendous leadership ability since you will
now be able to communicate and motivate people well.
Good leaders are the ones who are able to take people
along with them instead of forcing or bullying them to do as
they wish. Good leadership always gets the desired results in
the easiest manner possible.

5. You will have a high level of confidence and satisfaction
in yourself which arises from seeing that people understand
you well and you can also understand them equally well.
This confidence will enable you to do many things that you
might not have considered attempting before.
If you improve your communication skills then you will see a
marked improvement in all areas of your life.

Another Wonderful Story -- A Little Siesta An Artist.

A Little Siesta for for an Artist

By Brian Tones

It was early spring,
there had been rainfall over the
last few nights, so the air was
fresh and full on fragrance from
the wild herbs as they got
crushed under foot. I had taken a
walk deep inland following a
river bed, climbing a small rise, a
large semi ruined house came
into view. Closer inspection
reveled it was an old wheat mill
left to stand its fate that time
would bestow on it. Cracks in the
walls, now large enough to pass
through gave access to the
interior revealing the wonders of
times passed. It was all there, the
large millstones, the heavy
ironwork keeping it all together,
it was a museum to the craft of
milling. Returning outside the
early afternoon sun now hot,
prompted me to take shade
under a convenient olive tree, set
up my easel and ponder a while
over the hive of activity this
would have been some years
back. In the heat of the
afternoon, I could hear doves
making play for partners in the
rafters, then the laughter of
children as they played and
splashed in the river. There was a
rattling of chain, stern
commands, as the mules were
harnessed, then the heavy
constant grinding sound of
stone on stone as the mill
worked its wonders. I opened
my eyes, the shadows now long,
it was time to make for home.
Thunder God. It was late
summer, just on the turn of the
season, for a few days now the
air had been heavy and muggy, a
storm was brewing somewhere
over the mountains. Due to the
heat, we had gone to bed later
than usual that night and
dropped off into a fitful sleep. It
must have been around one in
the morning when the storm
arrived, hitting the weather side
of the house like a large sledge
hammer, the old house seemed
to shudder and tremble right
down to its foundations. It raged
on with the wind hitting the
house from all directions, the
noise was deafening, the lighting
so bright that it made the
wooden window shutters look
transparent, the dogs fled and
took refuge under the bed. The
storm seemed hell bent on
destroying the old house as it
weighed all its might against it,
then with one horrendous
thunderclap, simultaneous
lighting and wind of hurricane
force hit the front of the house
bursting open the bedroom
windows. I leaped from bed in
an attempt to close the window,
as I did so, another flash of
lighting lit up the garden as if
daylight, there before me was a
sight that I cannot tell, for you
would not believe.

A Facinating Short Story - RED MOON

Red Moon Moon
By Lucia Baker
I stood out in the cold, damp
grass barefoot and felt the
tendrils of mist curl around me.
The lighthouse half a mile down
the beach flashed through the
fog every one and a half seconds
exactly. Last year it was one of
the last kerosene-lamp
lighthouses still used on the east
coast, but in May they changed it
to electric bulbs after someone
on a sailboat couldn't see it and
hit the rocks. He survived with
minor injuries, and it was later
found that he was drinking
when he wrecked. The lights
were changed anyway.
I listened to the waves crash
against those rocks a hundred
feet below. I was sitting on the
edge of the cliff five minutes
away from my house with my
feet hanging over the edge.
There was a fence that guarded
the edge of the cliff, but twenty
feet on either side of me the
owner of the land had gotten rid
of it. The neighbors had both
fenced him off.
I checked my watch. 11:11 P.M.
"Make a wish, Christina," my
grandpa would say if he were
here. Last I saw him, he was
within the white walls of St.
Mark's Hospital. He's now at the
intensive care unit. I don't know
what color the walls are. He'd
seen every single eclipse that
occurred in his life since he was
four. I didn't think he would see
this one, though.
"I wish Grandpa could see the
eclipse," I whispered.
Nothing happened. A breeze
barely stirred the fog. The sea
continued to breathe, regal and
calming. I looked up, but I
couldn't see even a glow where
the moon was through the mists.
The earth's shadow would be
moving across its silver face in an
hour. I knew I wouldn't see it
from the cliff. Grandpa was
twenty miles away. Maybe the sky
was clear there.
I saw a light, faint as a star, on
the horizon. A ship heading for
shore. I hope it appreciates the
electric lighthouse, I thought. I
stood up and walked back to my
house and got in the car. I didn't
have my license yet, but I could
drive well enough. Screw curfew.
I took the key out of the glove
compartment and started up the
car, hoping I didn't wake my dad.
The way to St. Mark's was pretty
easy to remember. It was mostly
a straight line.
After forty minutes, I pulled into
the hospital parking lot. It was
nearly empty. The building was
half dark. I went in and found
only one other person in the
lobby. The woman at the desk
looked up. "Can I help you, dear?"
"I'm here to visit Joe Schaffer, my
grandfather."
"And your name?"
"Christina Schaffer."
She rifled through some files,
then she made a phone call. "I'm
sorry, but visiting hours are
between ten and four," she said.
"I know, but I need to see him
now," I said.
"Do you have a good reason?"
I faltered. "It's the lunar eclipse
tonight."
"Yes..."
"I didn't think you'd understand.
Please, I need to be with him.
He's expecting me."
She hesitated. Then she sighed.
"Julie will show you to him. But
you can't be long."
"Thank you very much," I said.
"This means a lot." I followed
Julie, the nurse, to the second
floor, room twelve. She knocked
and opened the door. The walls
were white.
"Mr. Schaffer, are you awake?
Your granddaughter is here to
see you."
My grandpa looked at me and
grinned. He was propped up on
a small mountain of pillows, an IV
tube was stuck in his arm, and
an oxygen tank was by the side
of the bed, but he grinned. That's
my grandpa for you. I grinned
too.
"Call me when you're ready to
leave," the nurse said. "The
button is above Mr. Schaffer's
bed."
"I told you," my grandpa rasped
to the nurse, pausing for breath
between words. "My name is
Joe."
The nurse smiled and left.
"Grandpa!" I said as soon as she
was gone.
"Christina," he said. "What brings
you at this hour?"
"It's the eclipse tonight," I said.
"It was foggy at my house, so I
came here."
"Well, that's very nice, but I think
there's a small problem. Do you
see that overhead?" He pointed.
"That's called a ceiling. So unless
you brought you x-ray vision
goggles..."
I laughed. "But you know that
door down the hall? Out there's
called a balcony. No x-ray vision
required."
"Well, go right ahead, then.
Describe every detail for me. I'll
be here."
"But, grandpa..." I swallowed.
"The next eclipse isn't for
another year." I left the rest of
the sentence unspoken. The
doctor had given my grandpa
three months to live.
He nodded. "Well, tell you what. If
you go out on that balcony, climb
onto the roof, and cut a hole in it
right there, I'd love to." He
started coughing, and I was
worried until I realized he was
just laughing.
"No, I'm serious!" I insisted.
"Look, there's a wheelchair. I'll
just wheel you out. You've seen
every other eclipse in your life
since you were four, you've told
me a million times."
"They'll never let you do that.
Besides, these goddamned
wires-I'm part of the room now.
You go and see it, and come back
and tell me."
I paused. Then I sighed. I was
just being selfish. "You're
probably right. I just wish you
could come."
"I wish I could, too."
It was quiet for a moment. Then
my grandpa said, "That would
really be something."
I looked at him.
"Christina, you're right. Take me
there."
"What? Grandpa, you said
yourself-"
"I know, I know. But you know
what? I would rather be out
there than in here. And I'm going
to die either way. Bring the
wheelchair here."
"But..."
"It doesn't matter. Like I said, I'll
die hooked up to the room or
not."
"Are you sure? Grandpa, I can't."
"Of course you can. Please, take
me outside."
I stared at him for a long
moment. Then I checked my
watch. Midnight on the dot. I got
the wheelchair from against the
wall with shaking hands.
Grandpa Joe was slowly
disconnecting himself from the
tubes and wires. First was the IV.
Then the heart and breathing
monitors. Finally, he took the
oxygen tube off and set all the
loose ends on the bed. "I suspect
I'll have no further use for those.
Help me in."
I lifted him up and set him down
in the wheelchair. He'd become
so thin and shrunken, it was
hardly a challenge. "Thank you,"
he said. I smiled, but I was
trembling. What have I done?
The nurse would be coming back
soon. We'd have to get out
quickly. I wheeled him through
the door and into the deserted
hall. The balcony was down at
the end of it. I looked around
wordlessly and pushed him
towards the door. His head
drooped to one side. "You okay?"
I asked.
"Yeah," he said. There was
something in his voice-a note of
melancholy, maybe. But I also
heard excitement. I hoped it
would be worth it. The sound of
the wheels on the floor seemed
deafening in the silence of the
hospital. I walked faster and
hoped the nurse didn't catch us.
After what seemed like forever,
we reached the balcony door. I
pushed it open and let us
outside. The night was black as
pitch except for the light of the
moon. I could see the tiny edge
of a dark red shadow on the
moon's horizon. I sat down next
to my grandpa and heard him
gasp. He didn't say anything, but
his eyes shone. They almost
looked like the eyes of a child,
despite the wrinkled and
weathered face they belonged to.
The shadow slid serenely across
the moon until it looked like a
drop of blood in the sky. I looked
out towards the sea. The mist
was just visible on the shoreline.
Here the air was crystal clear.
Suddenly I heard my grandpa. His
breathing was fast. "Are you
alright?" I asked again.
"Yes, I'm just fine," he managed
to say. "Tell your dad I love him.
And tell him to tell you that I love
you, too."
"Tell them yourself," I said, but I
stopped. I held his thin hand
tightly. The shadow was nearly
gone from the moon. "Not yet..."
"Don't worry about me. Really."
He was breathing hard now, and
he closed his eyes. I stared. I
didn't think he would go so
soon. He looked like he was
sleeping now. I was startled at
how frail he looked. I laid my
head on his shoulder and saw a
tear fall on his neck. Mine.
"Don't cry," he said. "That's an
order." He grinned one last time.
Then I felt his hand go limp in
mine, and much too soon later
the little clouds of mist from his
breath stopped coming.
The shadow had just slipped off
the other side of the moon as I
wheeled him back to the room
and pushed the button above his
bed. Then I drove home and
passed the driveway and kept
driving until I reached the sea. I
parked and walked to the edge
of the cliff where there was no
fence.
I checked my watch. 2:17 A.M.
The fog had cleared, and I sat
down with my legs dangling over
the edge of the cliff. I looked at
the pearly white moon, and I let
my tears mingle with the sea
spray a hundred feet below.