“Conflict of the Two Poem” by Jelilah Daud: A Poignant Exploration of Love and Inner Struggle

The poem “Conflict of the Two” captures the profound internal struggle between emotion and reason, articulating a universal human experience. The poet personifies the heart and the brain as entities with distinct voices and desires, presenting a vivid dialogue that emphasizes their conflicting perspectives.

'CONFLICT OF THE TWO'

I’m in a conflict, an internal  one
A conflict of the most important parts of my body
which contradict each other and are so right, yet still wrong. 
All fighting over a soul
That was never meant to be mine. 
My brain tells me to let go
But my heart is clinging so fast like a leach.
They all want different things. 

My mind says I’m hurt
My Heart says it’s worth the pain
My brain says it’s over, it's finished 
My Heart says we start over, another beginning 
My brain says I’m badly wounded
My Heart says it’s just a scratch
My brain says I’m taking too long to heal
My Heart says I find pleasure in the pain
My brain says I’m tired
My Heart says I’ll do this a million times over and over
My mind says it’s cold, I’m freezing
My Heart says I’m burning in the heat of the feelings that I’m feeling 
My brain says I’m pushing this love to another place, to someone else’s
But my heart says if not your face, then it’s no one else’s
I know you have to go
But my heart says no.

I know you're in search of relief but
Do you really have to leave?
It turned out we were not meant for each other
Yet we still dared to love one another in one way or the other
You may not believe that my heart is not fulfilling its destined fate today
But the taste of my sad tears on your face, 
Is enough to tell you that I’ll wait
That I’ll live and breathe till someday,
I get to feel your soft caress 
On my cheek
And embrace me in the depth of your love.
Love someone else as you want
But please clear a place for me in your heart
Because as much as I’m telling you 
I will always and forever love you 
If I don’t love you with my whole heart
Then I offer my life
And if my life is not enough
Then I’ll love you with my soul
That is how far my love goes.

Written By Jelilah Daud

The heart symbolizes emotions, love, and passion, clinging desperately to a cherished but perhaps lost love. The brain, in contrast, represents logic, rationality, and self-preservation, urging the speaker to move on and heal. This dichotomy creates a compelling tension, as both parts are “so right, yet still wrong,” reflecting the complexity of human emotions and thoughts.

The Nature of Love and Pain

Throughout the poem, the heart and brain debate over the nature of love and pain. The heart embraces the pain, seeing it as an intrinsic part of love, while the brain views it as a wound that needs healing. This illustrates the often masochistic nature of deep love, where individuals find meaning and even pleasure in their suffering.

Acceptance and Letting Go

The poem’s conclusion brings a poignant acceptance. Despite the heart’s persistent desire to hold on, there’s an acknowledgment that the loved one may move on. The plea for the loved one to “clear a place for me in your heart” signifies a wish for continued connection, even if circumstances change.

1 .Embracing Vulnerability

The poem teaches us the importance of embracing our vulnerabilities. The heart’s willingness to endure pain for love’s sake highlights the profound courage it takes to truly love someone. In relationships, accepting and expressing our vulnerabilities can lead to deeper, more authentic connections.

2. Balancing Emotion and Reason

The internal conflict between the heart and brain underscores the necessity of balancing emotion and reason. Healthy relationships and fulfilling lives often require navigating this balance, making decisions that honor both our feelings and logical considerations.

3. The Power of Acceptance

Acceptance is a recurring theme. The brain’s insistence on moving on and the heart’s eventual understanding that the loved one may love someone else demonstrate the power of acceptance in achieving inner peace. Accepting the realities of life and relationships can lead to personal growth and emotional resilience.

4. Enduring Love and Connection

The poem’s enduring message is that true love persists beyond physical presence. By asking the loved one to keep a place for them in their heart, the speaker acknowledges that love can transcend separation. This teaches us that meaningful connections with others are not confined to proximity but can endure through emotional bonds.

Applying the Poem’s Lessons to Our Lives

Caring for Each Other

Understanding and empathy are crucial in relationships. The poem encourages us to appreciate the internal struggles of others and offer support. Recognizing that people often battle between their hearts and minds allows us to approach each other with greater compassion and patience.

Building Useful Relationships

The balance between heart and brain can be applied to build useful relationships. We should strive to make decisions that respect both our feelings and rationality, ensuring that our relationships are nurturing and sustainable. Open communication about our internal conflicts can foster mutual understanding and strengthen bonds.

Living a Fulfilling Life

The poem reminds us to live authentically, embracing both our emotions and logic. By doing so, we can lead more fulfilling lives, rich in genuine connections and emotional depth. Accepting life’s challenges and learning from them enables us to grow and find meaning in our experiences.

In conclusion, “Conflict of the Two” offers profound insights into the human condition, encouraging us to embrace our vulnerabilities, balance our emotions and reason, and cultivate enduring, compassionate relationships. Through its poignant portrayal of love’s complexities, the poem inspires us to care for each other and live authentically, finding harmony within ourselves and our interactions with the world around us.