THE  LIGHTHOUSE
People vary in this world.
Some can build a bright lighthouse,
and direct distracted ships
when the harbour's out of sight.

Some just look with envious eyes
and ask themselves,"Why don't l
build a lighthouse, and my name
shines like them and sees the light?"

When they see a new lighthouse,
they get mad and use their might,
not to help endangered ships,
but destroy the shining light.

People differ in their sight .
I accept and support that,
but l hate to see some eyes
hope to destroy what is bright.
BY JOSEPH ZENIEH
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THE LION AND THE SNAKE
Lion, don't be shy if you're
bitten by a shameless snake.
All your deeds are bold and clear.
You don't heed how snakes cause ache.

You behave during daylight,
while the creatures are all there.
With esteem they praise your might
and with scared eyes they all stare.

As the snakes use their own bile,
they inject it when it's night
while the lion is asleep
unable to see and fight.
BY JOSEPH ZENIEH
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
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THE LONELY FLOWER

Don't ask me why l grow just there;
God has placed me where none would stare.
He makes me grow where no one likes
Among the nettles and the spikes.

I do my best to give the smell
That all would love to receive well.
No one would like even to try;
They just from far wave me good bye.

I thirst and hunger just to give,
But none would stretch hand to receive.
With pride and neglect they reject
What l with blood and tears collect.

Not even bees would like my place
Although all nectar they would chase.
I've cooked for them the nicest meal,
But does not have the slight appeal.

BY JOSEPH ZENIEH
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THE LONELY SAILOR

Just a word with warmth of heart
He awaits, his sail to start.
Such a trip to that far place
Needs a look with profound sense.

Looking round him but no one
Casts a look ere he is gone.
Lonely heart will lose the nerve
As he wants someone to love.

His ship sets sail into sea
With no hands to waive or plea.
Words of care he did not hear;
Absence, longing none will bear.

No one shows a bit of love
Or avows a wish to live.
He will survive for himself;
None loves him, but he loves life.

BY JOSEPH ZENIEH
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THE LOOK THAT EXPLAINS LIFE

There are lots of people whom you meet
But all you forget after you greet.
Only few you keep in heart and mind
As they have what can your fond heart bind.

People are mere victims in this life,
Grief and danger in it full and rife.
Only few have looks that go so deep
Summing up all life in just one peep.

They don't need to send a message loud;
They just look or act and you are bound
To get all the gist of life on earth
With all its sad fate and dreary dearth.

They move deep emotions that you have
And the deepest sighs in your chest heave.
They tell you a story through one look;
Little gist of it can fill a book.

BY JOSEPH ZENIEH
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THE LORD REVISITS US.

God wished to come and visit us
To see His children in their house.
He came to stay just for some time
To show His care for their own home.

By chance, He came to where l pray,
A church l went to on Sunday.
He came in clothes so cheaply sewn
Like those He had previously worn.

He came to church where we were dressed
So richly and had finest scent.
When He came in, the crowd were shocked.
How could that Man come as He looked ?

He looked at them when they paid alms
How they paid them with proudest palms.
He was so sad for what He saw
And calmly as He came He drew.
BY JOSEPH ZENIEH
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THE LOUD CALL
In my heart, l hear a call
which insists on me to trail
certain passion deep and strong
flowing sweetly in my veins.

That emotion started when
I was young, in my late teen.
Then l thought it was for girls
and their eyes with their blond curls.

Time then folded years but still
ancient sounds inside me squeal
for a kind of love so strange
which no change can it derange.

God's the Start and Love itself,
Who created man and life.
None can satiate what l crave
for except the Source of Love.
BY JOSEPH ZENIEH
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
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THE LOVE A WOMAN DESERVES
You meet a woman; be so kind
and bring to mind she has her plight
as she is weaker than her mate
with whom she shares one room and bed.

Before you think of what you want,
from love to ***, just sympathize.
Make her see you a constant spouse
and not who will her plight augment.

She needs your love only for her;
show her you are her equal half.
When in her house she sees her child,
her future looms much more content.
BY JOSEPH ZENIEH
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
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THE LOVE OF THE SOUL
They were too young; they scarcely passed their ten,
but when they saw each other, they turned red.
I feigned l did not notice what they showed
and left the room but kept an eye on them.

They saw l left the room, which made them glad.
They sat beside each other, and they smiled.
He stretched his hand to touch her little hand,
and she caught his and looked at his red face.

Their faces were so sweet, and their eyes joined
the purest rays that bound them in a stance
which made them one in person, so content,
quite unaware of what there was around.

In this elated state they remained long.
The soul of each has joined the other's soul.
They both could reach the heaven of deep love
so far from me when l entered their room.
BY JOSEPH ZENIEH
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
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THE LOVE OF THE SOUL

I'm not aware of eyes or nose;
I'm not so fond of thoughts or form.
What makes me my heart and mind lose
Is that nice creature whose soul's warm.

That creature traps my heart though plain
As my eyes get blind to his shape.
What l care for is one big gain:
My soul with his yearns to escape.

They flee to where no eyes can spot,
Where no ears can hear what they say
And live_ far from the flesh and rot
The greatest joy of endless day.

No flesh can attain that warm glow
When two souls mix and their third's God.
They start their heaven from below
And both go up to upper ground.

BY JOSEPH ZENIEH
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THE LOVE THAT BUILDS A HOME
I think that God wants all mankind
to do exactly as Christ said,
"Those whom God joined none can divide
as both become not two but one."

They see their children represent
what their dad or mum really has
either in their forms or their traits,
which makes them get more strongly tied.

They both consider their dear mates
their treasure that can move their souls
and want to give their hearts and minds
to see the other satisfied.

Where else can people tune their hearts
to produce one most charming beat
to sing a song which cares for what
the other needs and not themselves?
BY JOSEPH ZENIEH
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
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THE LOVING DUCK

A duck was walking in the street
With little ducklings near its feet.
A duckling fell inside a drain;
The cover could fat mum detain.

It waited out quacking for help.
Some people came to grant that step.
It waited long till duckling came
And joined again the anxious mum.

I wonder if men are like ducks:
They fill the land with loudest quacks
For ***, the source of chicks, their love
The same with hens, a bird and dove.

Wise men and women practice ***
In ways artistic and complex,
But they use pills new life to ****,
In urgent flaws abortion skill.

If that poor child is among us,
How long do we stay in the house?
I wish that duck will make us think
That life is not mere *** and drink.

BY JOSEPH ZENIEH
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THE LOYAL FAMILY
An unlucky bird had broken
one of its uplifting organs.
It became so sad to live on
land and lose its flying journeys.

Its most loyal mate lived with it
in the middle of a forest
where they built their nest in bushes
and had some chicks which they brought up.

One day hunters saw the female
up a tree and they intended
to discharge a killing bullet,
but the male in front ran faster.

It was shot but saved the upper
bird and was content for its act.
Its relaxed face sent a message,
"I'm so glad to have this fortune."
BY JOSEPH ZENIEH
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
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THE LUNATIC ASYLUM
She is so dull and boring to be with,
but he finds in her face her parents' name,
and house of rich furniture and attire.
All that can convince him she is his mate.

Is our present world a place where men
have lost their minds and hearts and found their aims
in precious gold and coins, in famous names,
and money whose bad smell repels the clean?

Where is the beauty of a smiling face,
the charm of words that teaches us to love?
Where are the eyes that tell us endless tales
of snow white love that gains immortal life?

Let them sit with the boring face and words,
with eyes that urge to yawn and go to sleep
without that body heat to warm their beds,
but with stink wealth to bring them awful dreams.
BY JOSEPH ZENIEH
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THE LURE OF A NYMPH

Beside a forest was my house.
The forest was so large and dense.
It was at dusk; l heard a girl  
Singing a song my mind could hurl.
So sweet was her voice that she could
Take my mind out of this dull world.

It was a voice full of deep love
That my ears could my slow feet shove
Towards the forest and the source
Not caring for its spiky course.

When she saw me, she fast escaped,
And heavy fog her  figure draped.
I did not care and followed her;
The rugged way could not me deter.

The pursuit led to such a maze.
I found myself in helpless daze.
My way back home was fully lost,
And night had its full darkness tossed.

No voice of girls but of wild dogs
Was all around with snakes an frogs.
I was so scared and hoped to find
A way out of this horrid land.

My fear led me to shout and scream,
Which woke me up from that bad dream.
I looked around and was so pleased
When l found myself in my bed.
BY JOSEPH ZENIEH

THE MAGIC WEALTH
A wizard was born in a town
where plants are rare and grass not grown.
The people were too poor and weak,
depending on nothing but luck.

He wrought a spell and them could tell:
it had the luck that them would fill
with gold and food and what they would
if they knew where the spell he hid.

They left all what could reduce want
and started solving that new knot.
Their state got worse with much more loss
but could not that spell come across,

Years passed and their state got so bad.
A man among them had some mind.
He told them that the magic wealth
would bring them none but horrid death.
BY JOSEPH ZENIEH
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
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THE MAKER AND HIS TINY IMAGE
We are whirling with the Earth and turning round
in an endless space that none can ever bound
while we are like grains of sand that forces keep
stable where we stand on this fast moving ground.

What are you, size pulling force, that fixed the stars,
all the planets and the Earth, the little one?
All are pulling and exerting their deep cores
so that man exists on Earth and use his mind.

Thinking minds have learned all that, but they are small.
They can deem the forces that can push and pull,
but they are too frail to know all what occurred
or what force has prepared all for man to live.

Force of life, You must be One That can create,
with a mind like that of man but of great might.
You could make the universe and then made man
as a tiny image of Your mighty form.
Later, You sent man Your Son to teach him all.
BY JOSEPH ZENIEH
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THE MAN WHO REALLY LOVES MANKIND
We hear that man strives hard to attain faith
to gain an easy mind and tranquil time,
but as the second life is out of sight,
You made it certain through Your divine acts.

Man sees Your work on earth and gets quite sure
that Your unseen next life is wholly true.
Your miracles on earth from then till now
show that You are the Son of the great One.

You sent the Holy Spirit to Your men
and changed them from scared lambs to men of deeds.
He showed them when to act or to refrain
as He does up till now when we are scared.

I hear His whisper clearly in my ears
and His assuring words when things are hard.
He is the Love between You and Your Dad,
and He's Your Love mid man's flesh and his soul.

You cure what surgeons find hopeless to touch;
You use Your holy men to do what man
sees and returns to God when their acts help.
No one has loved mankind as You have done.
BY JOSEPH ZENIEH
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
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THE MAN YOU'LL CERTAINLY LOVE
I see in Christ a man so kind
and on the cross a thief observed,
"We've done a lot of shameful acts;
that man has none that calls for shame."

One of the thieves in despair said,
"If you're the Christ, why don't You save
Yourself and us from this harsh fate."
That's what a normal man would want.

Christ did not ask the Lord for help
to **** all those who caused Him pain.
If He'd been someone else, He would
have asked to **** those heartless foes.

He asked His Father with last breath
to forgive those who brought Him death
as they did not perceive their guilt.
That's how He shunned Himself self-blame.
BY JOSEPH ZENIEH
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
__________

THE MAUSOLEUM OF THE UNKNOWN SOLDIER
Napoleon, you have such a name
that books of life are so proud of .
Those who built that name died like rats .
No one can know their daring acts.

Where is the son who left his mum ?
She wept when she was left so far
from her dear son who went to die
to build the name of Bonaparte .

A man left his young wife and child.
The child did not know why his mum
profusely shed her blood red tears
as his dad did not beat or shout .

The leader proudly sat to write
his famous name on glorious maps ,
whereas the bodies of those rats
were thrown in pits of unknown men .
BY JOSEPH ZENIEH

THE MEANING OF LIFE
You want to live, depend on self
as each has problems in his life.
Can you help others to survive
while you can scarcely stay alive?

Each does not know where his success
resides as life has lots to face.
It's like a wheel that's turning round;
it takes you up, then to the ground.

What's your outcome in life's exam?
Each does his best for a grand aim.
I can't ask you to leave your pen
and help a friend to get his ten.

One thing l ask as life is hard,
and we all live on callous land.
Let's all join hands to find a cause
that gives a sense to our lives.
BY JOSEPH ZENIEH
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
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THE MEANINGS OF CHRISTMAS
Most sublime Lord, You changed the world
from fearful hell to land of mirth.
You found it was so hard for man
to love his God through sightless faith.

You came to us to our house
on Christmas Day a little Child.
We saw our God and His great deeds
and found Him worthy to be loved.

We love Him much; He is the wish.
His love makes us avoid all vice.
He changed cruel death from fear to hope
as resurrection is great bliss.

He saw us poor, afraid not sure.
He gave us hope and dressed us crowns.
He showed us how to !ive and grow
from slaves to be His real sons.
BY JOSEPH ZENIEH
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
____________

THE  MIND

We don't know if the mind
Is a bliss or a curse.
Through this gift, one can find
Man's great gain and his loss.

Man can build, reach the moon,
But his end is a gloom.
He works hard, but dies soon
As each start has its doom.

Birds move round and are glad,
Eat and drink, soar the sky.
In great joy they are clad
As no care makes them cry.

Soothsayer, keep your mouth
Fully closed, and don't say.
Let man's ignorance soothe
The strong plight of that day.

BY JOSEPH ZENIEH
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THE MONA LISA
Who can that most famous woman be?
She can be an aunt in her fifties,
or that woman we see in the street,
Posing with derision for her fate.

Life for her is not more than a trip,
in a boat whose rudder she can't reach.
Her small boat is sailing but to where?
No one knows; she hopes the end is fair.

She is dear to those who like her much.
She prepares for them their clothes and lunch.
They are sailing with her in that boat
not aware of what the future brings.

Her admirers see her eyes with them.
Wherever they stand, she looks and smirks
as they sail along the same old way
whether they are old or they are young.
BY JOSEPH ZENIEH
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
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THE MOON WAS THE CULPRIT.
Once, l noticed that the moon was shy,
creeping slowly in the immense sky.
Looking down, l espied two young kids,
sitting in a garden quite nearby.

Love appeared the master of their lives.
They were fully silent and disturbed.
They were shy to show the thoughts they had
in the depth of hearts, but l could know.

Not far from those two young hearts l sat.
"Who had taught them love?"l asked the moon.
Summer stripped the sky of all its clouds,
and the moon, confused, shunned my request.

They were too young for such a great love.
Who could be the teacher of their hearts?
None could be accused but the shy moon
as l noticed it escaped my leer.
BY JOSEPH ZENIEH
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
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THE MORNING BREEZE

Soft breeze of morning, please slow down and wait
Till l can kiss your soft cheeks and your smile.
You are that old, kind friend so far from sight.
He can't approach, so his breath comes awhile.

What shall l do to make you stay for long ?
You've charmed my heart and brought my mind that time.
Please linger till l recall that old song
That l forget but used to dream its rhyme.

You've come, please stay; you have provoked that dream
That's lurked for long and fed the wish for life.
You've brought those days which now l quite esteem
As none but them can form life joyful stuff.

I give my thoughts light wings to fly with you
To where you can join them with that dear soul.
There, l would live the past with all its view,
Which none retrieves but my thoughts can recall.

BY JOSEPH ZENIEH
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THE MOST PRECIOUS JEWEL
When one gets older, he becomes quite skilled,
but life inclines to be about to end.
This is the precious while of all one's life.
He should distil each drop of this dense sap.

I wonder how some men pass all their  time
in games to shun the boredom life may bring.
Where is the flatness if time flies like bats;
the shrewdest men don't know where they will be.

A lot of guests have passed along this life,
but few can know how bats of life are trapped.
Those  have got famous in the books we read.
The rest have turned to earth on which we tread.
BY JOSEPH ZENIEH
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
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THE MOTHER AND HER CHILD
My little child, l love you much.
I cannot live without your touch.
I am the soil; you are the plant.
Your roots are inside my fond heart.

I want you, dear, to grow so high,
to kiss the clouds to reach the sky.
I give you all the sap to grow
though l am staying down below.

I feel so glad when l look up,
but sight can't help me to that top,
where your sweet eyes look down at me,
but those loved eyes l cannot see.

Go up; don't care for me, my dear.
Your roots are still recalled so near.
When l miss you, l ask my heart
to hug your roots and calm my sight.
BY JOSEPH ZENIEH
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THE MOTHER EARTH'S LESSON
You're whirling in the space of endless size.
How kind of you, dear earth, not to be free.
You're tied to our sun and other force
It's kind of them to grant you that safe course.

I love you, earth. You are my caring home
and mother that've  taught me a lot of things.
You've taught me to be kind and care for all
above all, to be wise and have a string.

When l imagine you're quite free to move,
I find you won't be fit for life and love.
No creatures can **** life from your dear *******
and no eyes in the sky to give you light.

You've taught me with your motherly wise care
not to be free but bound to something sure.
that will make my tied kite so nicely soar,
enjoying soft breeze which lifts it high.
BY JOSEPH ZENIEH
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
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THE MOUNTAIN AND THE VALE
Between the mountain lofty top and that low vale,
I wander beside them to have a look at both.
The mountain lacks the fruits the vale can always have
while both attract my eyes to see the greater worth.

Both have been there since Adam's time but he has gone
and lots like him have traced his way while both exist.
I look with eager eyes at that most glorious peak,
but fear of that hard climb can stop my feet.

It's hard to climb but when we reach the soaring point,
I find the vale so nice but not for dreaming hearts.
The daunted hearts prefer the vale and its sweet fruits
as craggy peaks demand stout heartedness and might.
BY JOSEPH ZENIEH
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
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THE MYSTERIOUS JOURNEY
My heart is touched by what man's life leads to.
I see him working with a mouth quite closed.
He rears a laugh on his lips, stirred by pence
that won't redeem him when his gloom gets near.

I look and think, then l feel hot tears drop,
and wet my cheeks for what poor man goes through.
He is attached to people and loves them;
they get the pulse that moves his loving core.

His train keeps rattling while his eyes are on
his peers that drop as leaves of autumn do.
He sees himself so lonely while his friends
have dropped to land so queer and disappeared.
BY JOSEPH ZENIEH
All rights reserved
____________

THE  MYSTERIOUS  PLEDGE
There is something in this world.
I don't know what it can be.
It is hidden from my eyes.
I feel, but l can't it see.

Always, l hope that some day
It will show its smiling face
and fills my heart with great cheers
as it gives me all l miss.

It will come and bring its gifts
that l expect for long time.
That won't be the end of hope
as it pledges more to come.

It's my hope all through this life,
which time and death spoil its shape.
This mysterious pledge is what
fills my life with greatest hope.
BY JOSEPH ZENIEH
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THE NEGLECTED OLD MAN

He has a place for smile on face
Though nearly crippled in his house.
Nothing his good heart can replace
Though nearly thrown out with despise.

He was much loved and so agile,
And all the people loved his acts.
They loved his gifts that were worthwhile
As dear gifts could bring great impacts.

When old with broken leg in bed,
No one remembered his old days.
So near to blindness with eyes red,
No one would tread his distant ways.

Despite all that, his laughs are loud
As if he sees a group of saints.
They bring him joy deep and profound,
And leave no place for his complaints.

BY JOSEPH ZENIEH
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THE NEW BORN BABE
A new born babe has just come here.
He moves my heart for being so frail.
I place my finger in his hand.
He grasps it as if he seeks help.

Why do you catch my finger, babe?
Are you so scared of this new world?
I have been here for such long time
and till now like you l seek aid.

You feel a stranger in this world !
No wonder, you have just arrived,
but l've been here for such long time,
yet l'm a stranger l still feel.

Don't frown; l know my words are cruel.
You'll be accustomed to cruel words.
You'll love the world; l am quite sure,
and you'll feel sad when you depart.
BY JOSEPH ZENIEH
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
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THE NEW BORN BABE
They cheer and dance. Their baby's come to life.
The parents and grandparents smile and laugh.
They've brought the drinks and food to have great time.
It's not a wont. For them a babe has come.

"What are you, babe?" the father deeply thought.
"You are a man like me with hope and fright.
You'll face this life which for me is great doubt.
You'll fear its darkness and enjoy its light.

My child, you'll live the crazy strife l live.
You'll have to toil so hard just to survive.
You'll try to find a creed to plan your way,
and lots of strain will tire your weak clay."  

His wife called out, "Come and look at his face.
It's just like yours, so full of cheerful bliss.
His fingers are like mine," she looked and smiled.
"God keep him to us both. He's our child."
BY JOSEPH ZENIEH
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THE NEWS I WAIT FOR
Homing pigeons, fly so fast.
What you hold l want to see.
Don't let languor delay you.
What you have will delight me.

I've been sitting on hot flames
with a heart afraid of time,
while time flies and does not care
for what my heart starts to mime.

Please, kind pigeons, bring that news.
Don't say,"None to me is sent."
Life won't show its smiling lips
if you don't arrive with it.
BY JOSEPH ZENIEH
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
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THE NIGHT BEFORE THE FEAST
Approaching feast, your night before is great.
We expect all the pleasure we await.
You are not born, so you can't go so soon.
We dream of your nice pleasure and your boon.

You  are the day on which we all are thrilled
and have the meals we love where cooks are skilled.
We meet the girls whose eyes are full of love,
but coy to say what they ask from above.

How great is life when we look forward to
the sparks of joy that fill the coming view.
We wait for what can fill the heart with life
as all the prospects are with joy so rife.
BY JOSEPH ZENIEH
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
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THE NYMPH'S TOUCH
What are you love but that most tender nymph,
who is so fond of its most silky skin?
She has a sort of beauty that charms all;
she touches hearts and makes them fond of her.

She takes the form of that most fragile girl,
who has the softest skin of rosy hue,
and close to be transparent like a veil
that has the fibre of the whitest cloud.

Your girl, sweet love, is so fond of herself.
She loves to unveil her thin, light clothes
so that she can reveal her tender skin
to roses that will wan when vied by her.

But she's so pure that she can't bear to be
seen by the human's eyes that yearn for more.
Her beauty is a sort seen by the soul
when that soul yearns to be serenely drunk.
BY JOSEPH ZENIEH
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
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THE OFFENDED WEASEL
A farmer used to have a lot of hen.
They were so fat and white and gave him eggs.
A weasel saw the coop and was so glad;
he started having all his meals from there.

The farmer lost a lot and got quite mad,
but he could not discover a good way
to keep the weasel far or change his mode;
he bought a gun and lurked behind the coop.

The weasel saw the farmer with a gun.
He got offended by the farmer's mien.
"Is this the way" he thought," a host behaves?
I will desert this most disgusting man."
BY JOSEPH ZENIEH
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
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THE OLD MAN'S SOCK
His grandchild came from distant land.
She saw a hole in his old sock.
She laughed and told all those around,
and made that hole their evening's talk.

He got so famous for that hole
so quickly and with no effort,
while pages of verse he could fill
and no one gave them just a squint.

He laughed and made them laugh with him
when he could play that witty role,
"I am a grandpa and can't claim
to be one without my sock's hole."
BY JOSEPH ZENIEH
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THE OLD WOMAN AND HER OLD CAT

Beside me sit and purr my cat,
So cute a kitten when you sat
On my lap when l brought you here
To live with me so small and dear.

I was then greying when you were
A little kitten of soft fur.
I used to feed your little mouth
And watch your small teeth in their growth.

Your heart and mine both beat us through
To this old age with its sad view.
We both sit near this well lit stove
And think a lot before we move.

My cat, you are my dearest friend;
You shared my trip to this old end.
I wonder if we'll meet up there,
Where life will be quite free from care.

BY JOSEPH ZENIEH
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THE ONLY HOPE
I sat at my own desk feeling great fear
of earthly life and where it would lead to.
I found nothing was sure about this life
which was an empty road towards a copse.

Around me l saw none that would give cheer,
not even those dumb, ruminating beasts.
Their food was queer; none else were there but rocks
that were unthoughtful and completely staunch.

Nothing except a puff of wind passed by.
It did not tell me what its purpose was.
From where it came to where it blew some leaves.
No glimpse it could unfold about that copse.

I walked towards that spot led by a bird
which was snow white and filled me with delight.
That bird could sing a song that was so strong
and had a tuneful sound that fit my mind.
BY JOSEPH ZENIEH
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
____________

THE  ONLY  REMEDY

Old age with broken leg, she lies in bed.
She cannot move; her pain is mixed with dread.
She is too weak to speak. She just complains,
but no one can her nagging quite explains.

Her bed has got a prison she can't leave;
it stirs her mind to roam, her heart to grieve.
No source as vent for hope from which to get
delight that makes her anxious thoughts forget.

So nice was life when those she loved were near,
whose presence brought her joy as they were dear.
They went and left her lonely, now in bed.
How hard is life that leads her to this end?

In tears, she hears a song coming from far.
She used to hear ere time could her life mar.
She calls back that old love that fills her heart
and sets her calm as love sets all aright.

BY JOSEPH ZENIEH
____________

THE OPPRESSIVE FATHER
How cruel you are when you impose your rules
on your most joyful house and make it hell.
Your children and your wife, even the guests
will forget singing and will learn to wail.

How can you live when you behold the crowd
are full of distress just for your mad pride.
You live the pride of satan when he left
the kingdom of pure light to hell abide.

Their pure and simple hearts were glad to live
the joy of what was good in its supreme.
You've changed the scene to make them now endure
the dirt of what is bad to live your dream.

Who tells you that your house is just for you.
You've got a wife, who's left her parents' house.
You have two boys who want to live their lives.
The place is not just yours though you're the boss.
BY JOSEPH ZENIEH
____________

THE OSTRICHES
I feel surprised how poets can think of
the beauty of a flower or a girl
and don't brood on the essence of this life
that passes like a dream of summer's  night.

How can a man enjoy a petals' charm
when day's like little friends cover his eyes?
He opens them to find himself too old
and scarcely laughs to mock the end of life.

What is the aim of what you live and do?
Is there a purpose which can please your heart?
Or just you help your friends through trivial verse
to keep your eyes blindfolded to the truth.
BY JOSEPH ZENIEH
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

THE OTHERS FIRST
Woe to him who saves himself
ere he saves those around him.
He will face his self remorse
which is harder than hell's grief.

Love those who are around you
more than loving your dear self.
They are humans and they have
what you fear and what you crave.

You are asked to give the poor.
Is salvation not a gift?
Which is dearer, loaves of bread,
or an act that saves their lives?

Don't be selfish, my dear man.
Your mirror is people's face.
How can balm reach your own soul
if their tears from their chins drip.
BY JOSEPH ZENIEH
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
____________

THE PALSIED CHILD
A child fell down beside and looked upward at me.
He had a covered eye that had some surgery.
He looked so scared as if to ask, "Have l done wrong?"
He had a palsied face and defects from his birth.

He was about three years, quite thin and with no charm,
but fear was so apparent on his childish face.
I smiled, looked down and said some reassuring words.
He went on with his frown as if he knew his life.

His mother came, and l went on along my way.
For him, l felt so sad and had a sharp heartbreak.
The strongest people feel not sure how to face life.
What will he do? I asked myself with tearful eyes.
BY JOSEPH ZENIEH
All rights reserved
____________

THE PEERLESS HEART

Don't let your doubt throw you in hell.
Look at the sky; none can assail.
Look at that heart, the sky of joy.
It throbs to cheer, and life enjoy.

It's like the sky that is so cool
And has to cheerful life a call.
No clouds can darken its light blue,
Exactly like that heart near you.

That heart is clean like the blue sky.
It ***** the smoke, yet cheers your eye
Like that pure heart that easily bears
Men's distress, yet their sad hearts cheers.

It loves the smile; it cheers the frown;
For joy and laughter it's well known.
When called to dance, it is the first,
And for stressed hearts, it cools their thirst.

BY JOSEPH ZENIEH
____________

THE PERMANENT JOY
Thoughts are sparkling in my mind to tell me that
life to come is not apart from present life.
Live inside with Jesus' love and those great saints;
you will be in life to come just from this half.

Pray to Jesus in your heart and live with Him,
making Him your closest friend all your day long.
You will find yourself in heaven not on earth
and you gain the high morale that makes you strong.

Joy is not what flesh can give for shortest time,
but it comes from gleams of thoughts that takes you up,
where you live the joy of life that will remain,
filling your rejoicing heart with constant hope.

Nothing but the greatest love the heart desires.
It's the goal that satisfies the searching soul.
Only when we feel the Shepherd is quite near,
then we feel the secure life come from His call.
BY JOSEPH ZENIEH
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