weekend poof
sunday it was, the day when man
and woman and child laughed
their schools shut, their offices bolted
their homes shut in the jaws of locks
on the street, sweet smells
of syrupy waffles and fresh watermelons
thick they swarmed the happy flies
buzzing around bits of good times
i was walking down the road
full of life and balloons
giggles jostled with whistles
cameras clicked life's carnival
the horns blared, the sun scorched
pretty billowing dresses of prettier girls
invisible music mixed with summer air
playing to the beat of holiday feet
anklets jingled, bangles glittered
beautiful families making memories
i was walking down the road
full of smiles and ribbons
on the side of the people in paradise
a mother sat weeping all alone
purity suddenly had a photograph
some people looked, others peered
they walked after they fed curiosity
i too stopped to watch that picture
there she was, pregnant with death
a dead child held close to her chest
i was walking down the road
full of tears and nothingness
Amazing take on life's contrasts Prathap. A well worded piece.
great poem fun and then tears
so glad that you caught that kerry. and that's what i wanted to be. a bit of cold cruelness. not wanting to be influenced entirely.
I love the use of the neutral observer to describe this scene - it intensifies the poignancy of the final stanzas. Excellent work, dear friend.
From balloons, smiles and ribbons to tears and nothingless, in the wake of a carnival atmosphere - the use of contrast, lyrical language and all, makes the closing lines heartrending. An admirable poem.