The Diary Of A Nobody

Dragos Radu - Do Not Close Your Eyes

Written: 27th December 2022, Bucharest

Theme & Story:

This poem was inspired by a sentiment of longing and emptiness for one person in my life whom I got to know for only the first 6 years of my life, my grandfather. Since I was a child, I have been looking up to him; he was a pilot, so, at that time, I desired to become one too. Thanks to him, I know how to play chess and ride a bike. When I was 5 years old, and he was teaching me chess, I used to steal some of his pieces from the board; he was never happy about that, as aside from learning chess, he wanted me to be a fair and honest person. No actual winning comes with shortcuts. It's all a process. I realised all these things through the years, yet most at the previous year's end when I visited his resting place. Why then? Well, I was different. I sat down there and talked. Went there like a child, the 5-year-old that once made his life difficult where he made my life unforgettable. It was one of the first people in my life, aside from my mother and grandmother, that had an impact on me, left a trace, and truly loved me. I have never forgotten him, so I wrote this poem in his memory and in the memory of all of you listening who had or have such people in your lives who play(ed) an irreplaceable role.

Enjoy, and thank you for being here.

Dragos

Poem:

Do not close your eyes while the sky is still blue,

As then, the sound of the birds is sweetest.

Do not close your eyes when there is no hope,

As then, something new is born.

Do not close your eyes when you’re overwhelmed by loneliness,

As then, someone who’s once loved you is there with you.

Do not close your eyes when the sun is setting,

As then, stars will come up to show your way.

Do not close your eyes when your heart is broken,

As then, light will seep inside you.

Do not close your eyes while we are together,

As we do not know if we will ever meet again.

Credits: Dragos Radu, 2022 / The Diary Of A Nobody, 2022