RESOLVE

waves of despondency rock this boat
the oars of hope will take it to the shore
never to drown in this watery abyss
rowing to the horizon of those ideals

this boat will not capsize
surmounting these ravenous waves
daily stalked by these predators
the boat will reach the shore

the sound of emptiness

what is the residue
stripped of high sounding titles
taken out of limousines
bereft of computerised wardrobes
stripped of suits from harrods
and all fashion capitals of the world

what is the residue
stripped of mindless ostentation
perhaps a barren wind blowing
a drifting cloud bearing no rain
maybe humility can fill the void

robbed of innocence

africa where are the children
not anywhere near playgrounds
dying in droves in battle fields
waging senseless wars everywhere
minds befuddled by heavy drugs
committing fratricide, matricide, patricide
robbed by the greedy of their childhood
denied the knowledge of the sanctity of life
turning killing into an enjoyable game

life

maybe in fairy tales
perhaps in a fool's paradise
built on illusions and delusions
to live happily ever after

coming across hills and mountains
walking across plains at times
the tumultuous and unnavigable rivers
at times swimming in calm waters

marriage

the rose in full bloom
the sweetness of its fragrance
the allure of the pink petals
the allure of the red petals

then the thorns take centre stage
the beauty of the petals is gone
the pricking dents that beauty
then the deep revulsion sets in

gold rusts

then your mind is scorched
long after the bribe is taken
your reputation will be in tatters
for you valued silver and gold

what then happens to your conscience
do you not feel the emptiness
do you not smell the rottenness
when you sit alone at home

what price have you put on your soul
that these low lives can buy it
are you not haunted by ghosts of misdeeds
judas iscariot became judge , jury , executioner

in your wisdom you wine and dine
wine and dine with the villains
the victims have noone to turn to
if gold rusts what of iron

off the high table

courted by the politicians
the poet leads the way
like earth moving equipment
the poet paves the way

the ululation pierces the air
the whistling resonates
the poet takes centre stage
basking in the spotlight

when the wining and dining comes
the poet relegated to the crumbs
prohibited from the main road
the earth moving machinery