Analysis of BETROTHMENT



I am lonely surrounded by family and friends
Sad, in the midst of laughter and merriment
Cheer up and be happy, they chorus in unison
A Bride's day is for joy and laughter

But stranger, have I become to happiness
Succour I only find in the solitude of sorrow
What can you do when your heart desire is but mere wish?
Fantasy of love a costly venture

Two hearts melted into one at first sight
The eager embrace of opposite magnetic poles
Telepathy is no more a bedtime story for fun
Welcome me home, your missing rib

Culture is a villain, tradition is my enemy
Prisoners of all, they hold by the jugular
My grieving soul they relish for dinner
Child betrothal but a sinister finger

Oh, never give up in despair my love
In temporary triumph darkness may tarry
This body, tradition may conscript in transient pleasure
Forever in your embrace shall my heart reside


Scheme XABC XXXC AXBX DCCC XDCA
Poetic Form
Metre 1110010110001 100111001 1101101100100 011111010 11011011100 111010010110 11111110101111 1001101010 1110011111 0100111000101 0100111011011 10111101 10101001011100 100111110100 1101110110 111010010 1101100111 01001010110 1100101101010 010010111101
Closest metre Iambic hexameter
Characters 875
Words 172
Sentences 2
Stanzas 5
Stanza Lengths 4, 4, 4, 4, 4
Lines Amount 20
Letters per line (avg) 35
Words per line (avg) 8
Letters per stanza (avg) 139
Words per stanza (avg) 31

About this poem

Child betrothal is a practice that is still prevalent in several cultures across Africa. What happens when a betrothed girl child grows up to find true love with another man can be heart rending.

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Written on August 10, 2022

Submitted by Onyiokadike on August 10, 2022

Modified on March 05, 2023

51 sec read
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Onyi Okadike

Onyi Okadike is a graduate of History/Political Science (Combined Honours) from the prestigious Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. He is a first-time writer with a large catalog of unpublished books. He enjoys Sales and Marketing and has, over the years, built an enviable career in the FMCG sector that cuts across several industries; pan Nigeria and in the West African sub-region. He hails from Imo State, Nigeria, and is married with three children. He can be reached at onyiokadike@gmail.com more…

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    "BETROTHMENT" Poetry.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 12 May 2024. <https://www.poetry.com/poem-analysis/135630/betrothment>.

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