A poet has a lot going on inside his mind, heart, and head. There is always a background to the expressions of his/her thoughts in a poetic form. It could be a past or recent experience, or observation, a deep-rooted cause, reflections even it could be sheer inspiration that could be very prophetic!

The background to this poem I titled: The Hard Nut of Life has to do with my experience many years ago, precisely 1987. I had finished Teachers' Training College two years earlier, armed with a professional Teacher's Grade 2 certificate. Unfortunately, there was no more automatic employment (by the government ) for teachers into the public primary schools. I waited for two years for a job that was not coming.

I decided to apply for a factory worker job in 1987 with a British firm in my locality. The job was even a temporary offer demeaning of my qualifications and experience. However, life must go on.

I took my job seriously and was very dedicated on assignments given to me by my boss. I always remained focused and concentrated on the job with a bright and smiling facial expressions and periodically will be singing some songs as I ply along. One day, a colleague of mine who had been watching my behaviour at a job that I should be ashamed of (in his own opinion) could not hide his feelings any longer. He came to me and demanded what joy I found on a job that was far below my qualifications and self-esteem. He opined I ought to be ashamed of my conditions instead of deriving joy on a job all other colleagues found nauseating and disgusting. I smiled and thanked him for his observation, but corrected him that I have learnt in life to be happy with my life no matter the circumstances. It can only get better.

I captured the episode with the poem titled: The Hard Nut of Life. Few months later in the same company, opportunity for Sales and Marketing positions opened and I was employed as a permanent staff with better pay than my mates that were eventually employed as teachers the following year.

The Hard Nut Of Life

The hard nut,

Uneasy to crack;

But with forceful force,

Jack aside like a Jackal,

Sweetens the resultant effect.

The teeming millions,

Pitying the hard nut cracker

For physical exertion over the seeds,

Why need so much labour?

For life after had metamorphorsed.

The scanty well-to-do,

Pitying the hard nut cracker

For physical exertion over the seeds,

And the wastage of unused brain,

For life after his ambition had metamorphorsed.

The hard nut cracker,

Thanking his star for everything,

For both the odds and the evens;

For he had learnt some practical lessons,

Of life's vicissitudes.

The approaching tomorrow,

Beckoning him to follow,

Beckoning with smiles and confidence,

Of positivity in nature;

For the combined pity of the teeming millions

And the scanty well-to-do.

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Hope the lines make some meanings of all people cracking the hard nuts of life at one time or the other.

I love to see your comments, observations and criticisms as well.