Ode to Mortality

For what is worth, my thoughts and words

Live shorter than a cosmic day,

Shorter than a meteorite of starry herd,

And shorter than hot summer o’May.

Yet I hoped to live another day,

To satiate my greed and my lust

As I was afraid to tread the only way,

Which for every mortal is a must-

Shedding pride and rubble to dust.

 

For what is worth, my sufferings’ extent

Are lesser than an orphan’s cry,

Lesser than a weeping mother’s lament,

And lesser than a sister’s failing try.

Yet I hoped to not comply

My father, and his along hinges;

O my mortal pride would not comply,

To their truths, my lies resonating fringes,

Alas! I couldn’t escape the flow o’ Ganges.

 

For what is worth, my poor being

Is wealthier than a starving’s breath,

Wealthier than his dreams disagreeing,

And wealthier than her freedom’s death.

Yet I hoped to drink a few from Leth’

To forget my deeds of all but rich,

To forget my sins, to forgive herewith

This mortal’s solitude & salvation bewitch,

Still coveted desires couldn’t be enriched.

 

For what is worth, my transient time,

Is it hostile or is it benign?

To be forgot like a phony chime?

Or to be remembered a prayer divine?

Yet I hoped for it to define

Each moment, each memory, every speech,

Every purpose amongst these timeless rhymes.

Now my atrocities and my saint besiege,

And I lie forever ‘neath Earth’s beseech.