Philanthropy

 
(for All who bleed)
 
Know that the world is never right
beneath every boon lies a blight

a wan darkness woke at noon
night clouds that beshroud the moon

and yet perforce we persevere
though hurt is deep and price too dear

for it is our grim and mortal lot
to endure gore grime and grot

as all things rush to fall apart
in letting it go lies true art

so pause let it just fade away
we ourselves not here to stay

earth’s a half way house at best
we’re here for some unfathomed test

let them who think they know it all
take heed for they too shall fall

not one in all eternity
has any clue as to why we be

nor where we go nor why we dwell
despite errant dreams of heaven and hell

such delusion is our mortal state
to dream of some blessed happy fate

even as living blood runs dry
too brave who be to break and cry

but it matters not what we believe
we come we bleed whence we leave

in ignorance are we brought here
in more ignorance we disappear

there is no obvious amnesty
no matter how very true we be

yet they that choose a righteous way
not ‘cause they must but ‘cause they may

the venal in faith that live but a fraud
know that the former rise higher than god

 
[© R.Kanth 2022]

Professor Rajani Kanth, is Author of Coda (Novel) , A Day in the Life (Novel), and Expiations (Verse)