Frost in the soul (poem)

 

Sun, Switch off yourself!

or burns my eyes.

Cowardice smiles to the poor man.

Dreams of glory of the human species collect frost on the iron of evil.

Tender feelings make fun of the sensitive soul.

I look up to the sky to distract crying eyes.

I would like to believe, my God.

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Commentary on the poem

This poem presents a stark, existential meditation on disillusionment, human vulnerability, and the search for solace in a world felt to be indifferent or cruel. Written in a concise, raw style, the piece builds a powerful contrast between harsh reality and the fragile inner life of the speaker.

The Rejection of Light and False Hope

clear rejection of illumination: the sun, typically a symbol of life and hope, is asked to "switch off" because its brightness has become unbearable ("or burns my eyes"). This opening sets a tone of sensory and emotional overload, where even natural beauty feels hostile when faced with deep internal grief.

Social and Existential Disillusionment

The middle stanzas deliver a sharp critique of both human nature and collective ambition:

• "Cowardice smiles to the poor man" highlights the cruelty of unequal power dynamics, where vulnerability is met with mockery or false comfort rather than empathy.
  
  
• "Dreams of glory... collect frost on the iron of evil" juxtaposes high human aspirations with cold, hard realities. The imagery of "frost on iron" evokes an inescapable numbness and rigidity, suggesting that grand human ideals inevitably freeze and decay when confronted with malice.
  
  
• "Tender feelings make fun of the sensitive soul" captures a profound sense of emotional betrayal, where gentleness itself seems to mock the person who dares to feel deeply.
  
  

The Pivot to Solace and Longing

The final lines shift from bitter observation to a personal struggle for relief. Looking up at the sky serves as an attempt to "distract crying eyes"—a physical gesture to physically hold back tears and shift focus away from pain.

The closing line—"I would like to believe, my God"—serves as a poignant climax. It expresses a tragic longing for faith and meaning without fully affirming them. The conditional phrasing ("I would like to") reveals the painful gap between the desire for spiritual comfort and the difficulty of holding onto belief in the face of widespread suffering.