THE ETERNAL ENIGMA OF SELF

Does the self
truly does its own self understand?
does the owner's experience
a helping hand does lend?

Search in the vast firmament
delve into the deepest sea
explore every dark cave of the mind
traverse the coldest Arctic-the mystery

remains and shall never
its secrets unfold
the self is a lone wanderer
its true story can't be ever told.

And an old weary man here I am
only this path I must follow-
the self must perish to be reborn
to be free it must embrace The Tao of 'letting go'.

It's all written
in his face-
' Don't come a step nearer
this isn't your place'.

This is the age where all morality
and kindness have quickened to death
he's a stranger and I wanted then to say 'hello'
now I 'm glad to have saved my breath.

THREE CHEERS FOR MODERN LIVING
 
 Ah, what a life,  a dreadful life
Too much angst and too much strife
Credit card and mortgage bills
Piling as tall as the mountains and hills.

Better be a primitive man who was happier
In the cave or on the tree, never a money-worrier
Nature lets none down, food is for the picking
The river provides the water for drinking

The breezes provide the air-conditioning
Music is sent by the birds that are gladly singing
No cars, no problem parking
No supermarket-queuing

No upsets, no arguing
With the recalcitrant who are seeking
A quarrel with fists threatening
Isn't it a punishing?--this modern living

But I am not done yet with this writing
There's also the taxman who is watching .

Once long ago, there was the Great Wall of China
Much, much later--the Berlin Wall-- then
History is all about culture and walls
The artefacts of ingenious men.

You whom I hold dearest
Why has your heart built such an impregnable wall?
Could you but chip off one tiny brick for me to look in-
Though you said you never ever loved me at all.

So easy to remember
how hard to forget
the past is an unforgiving monster
with its trail of many a sorrow, blame and regret.

But life is a state of mind
an open road---you have the freedom of choice-
they live well---those who understand
life is a tale of both sorrows and joys.

How insatiate is the human heart
to endless temptations it does fall
abundance is still deemed lacking
it wants nothing that's less than all.

How hard to let go the past
how easy to attribute blame
so few do know the state of their minds
finding every reason to give life a bad name.

Don't meet me now-
You said: 'I'm not ready'
Well, let it be
I don't wish you to be unhappy.

Don't meet me now
Perhaps till the last star ceases to shine
Too soon I'll be in someone else's arms
She will say to you:  'Go away, he's forever mine!'

Farewell to the old
here is the new--
resolution, what resolution?
better the past year to review.

Was it like all years before
the senseless grind and inanity?
foolish mistakes, misgivings and moments wasted
the same boring episodes and company?

We made excuses and comforted ourselves
we said: 'There's time--it's always there
for us to lean upon--there are countless tomorrows'
we lived in default---we took things for granted--indeed, we didn't care.

Resolution, what resolution?
that would be a sign of weakness, failure or despair
what would 2017 and 2050 be like
if we were  fortunate enough to be there?