Strangers in strange lands where nature's maps
are daily altered: who can tell, perhaps
utopian dreams may one day be fulfilled -
what wishes we project with one "perhaps" !
But that « perhaps » to other minds must be
entrusted through steps to eternity,
both bell and tale are told, both drum and gong
before too long will welcome destiny.
Another week ticks off its finite hours,
last leaves weak fall, distressed are hedgerows, bowers,
no rainbow reign polluted heavens’ spans, -
as rain in hurry can unleash its powers.
Today tomorrow fears must count the cost,
of vested interests, we, with fingers crossed,
find fire and freeze turned topsy-turvy as
strategic opportunities are lost.
Most are bewildered, having pushed their luck,
they find dice loaded, - chicken lacking pluck.
When all is balanced, weighed within the mind,
game years behind were wasted, came unstuck.
And so the well laid plans of mice and men
turn sour, devour their children, - in suspen-
sion stays the spoke that may not stay the wheel
unspeaking which unspoken rolls ... Amen !
I saw myself in wa[l]king dream beside
a river which flowed out to meet time’s tide,
fresh waves to salt waved greetings as they passed
to ice-free ocean, plankton pushed aside.
A watershed, which never tears shall show,
approaches and one knows not where to go,
wide world won’t wait while weighing arbitrage
with options harsh displacing comfort’s glow.
Soon cock may crow to cheers of phantom friends,
with timer trickled none need make amends,
or further false pretence with insult rare
to cover injury within which rends
the spirit from external casing show
skeletal which nobody needs to know,
for here today, tomorrow atoms spread
along a food chain soon from high brought low.
So soul must sink when candle, burned both ends,
no wick retains to feed the flame which sends
light for a moment, highlighting the dark
behind beyond til epilogue appends
a testament scenario reprieved
from papers left behind – part to deceive
and part as explanation for a gest
about which we suggest too few will grieve.
Subprime takes prime time working overtime,
as credit cards to debit dards turn, climb
precedes a fall unlooked for – pendulum
swings weigh past tipping point, primeval slime
not dust to dust replaces Eden’s rhyme,
mankind’s equation out of kilter, mime
instead of deeds proactive, selfless, fair,
concludes Man’s play, applauseless p[h]antomime.
Its time to settle credit overdue
no sense to seek solutions from the blue –
accounts drawn down close race’s case, no trace
remains, shell shocked, locked out, no overview.
Author notes
after Edward Fitzgerald's rendering of the Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam
In a list
- Brahma & Rubaiyat • next in list
- Parody & Pastiches • next in list
- Nature • next in list
- Society • next in list
- Alphabetical Order • next in list
Courtesy welcome and extended [Reward: double points]
Comments
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Despair at its best if that is not a contradiction in terms. There is much to despair over in this world and the time to settle credit has long since past as the debt has been outstanding for far too long!
. Rewarded 4
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Who needs
... to watch television when this poetic philosophy can play out in one's mind. Well written, a bit depressing as only despair can be and as Woody Allen once quoted:
"More than any other time in history, mankind faces a crossroads. One
path leads to despair and utter hopelessness. The other, to total
extinction. Let us pray we have the wisdom to choose correctly."
joy
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Perhaps it is just the sentiment of the day, but I found this piece incredibky sad.
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