Loss and Gain

Life groans like a patient

Afflicted with rheumatism

The needle of the

Clock is on fire

I get multiple faces

Oh! The flautist,

Play the music of

Distinction;

The dancer has lost

Her anklets,

The watchman

His stick,

The mother

Her mind,

The father

His thoughts,

The children

Their dreams,

Some people

Their shelter,

Few others

Their fear,

A lot many

Their courage,

The words

Their meaning

And sharpness;

The horrendous

Rolling of machines

Has stolen

The hearing power

Of the rivers,

And the smokes

Their vision;

The fungus-smothered

Spectacles change colours

Snails face extinction

Pens start embarking

On special carriages

Brains repose on easy chairs

As the ink and the paper

Blame each other

The gold casts

a sarcastic smile

The sugar overthrows

The salt in tears.

By Ismail Meladi