Essy The Poet

Kerichosburg The city of Eden, dare I say! Has got it all, but this…. She’s got the taverns and the temples She’s got the varsities and vast teas She’s got the inns and sumptuous blini She’s got churches charging with moral rectitude She’s got industries and commerce, all diverse She’s got castles, penitentiaries and phrontisteries   Kerichosburg The city of Eden, dare I say! Has got it all but this …. Amidst the tea lakes, green meadows Remains surmountable for it lacks the seat The fair Lady of wisdom, the morning star Wields not the sceptre yet. All but this.   Kerichosburg Comes the fair Mother, by day and by night. For the fair charmer, the prelate, the Colonel, Makes her room within the Polis’ heart. Wherein wisdom will flow, shaping leaders Wherein wisdom will spew appealing to the heart Wherein discernment will flow, sowing peace in people’s hearts. From where bells of Angelus shall ring! Awakening the city to prayers...

I know where poverty is.   I have seen him with my two eyes, a rich thing. It is in the little stores cracked into my heels Where we store devalued coins sometimes.   It is on the ribs of my little brother Bold, bulging, and dauntingly sharp. It is in the bowed old shack that is my mother’s hearth   Awaiting the wind’s command to give in and fall. It is in the two black eyes seeping through my school dress, Through which my backside breathes.   I know how poverty feels, A constant nagging cry of insufficiency. It is the dream valley whose sands drag the feet backwards, It is the dejected face reprimanded undeservedly, It is the violent terror that carries no weapons, It is the fear of consuming a meal placidly Because tomorrow is not assured. It is the pain of inequality That sends you drooling over a neighbour’s meal. That drives away the shame of mockery.   Well, this poverty I have seen, Is nothing compared to the...