Faded Initials On Wood

By Antonio Rodrigues

The handcart trundled, leading the forlorn cortege,

Rattling on scattered stones, discordant accompaniment

to gentle hymn-singing, suppressed sobs, soft rain,

wind sighing in the trees, leaves shedding silent tears.

This procession of momentary misery and selfish grief

wound its way between Robert Souza, general bank manager,

And Ernest Miranda, honourable advocate high court

Probably discussing weighty banking laws, one wonders!

A peacock watched this human drama with critical eye,

And belying his astute deportment, raucously calls his mate,

What is it with humans and designations, labels?

Do they literally have to take it to the grave?

They are merely attempting to show they left their mark,

Like lovers carving their initials in the reluctant bark,

Never realising their passage is momentary, transitory,

In their nanosecond of existence in this vast continuum!

His wise mate, female of the species, softly replied,

And with you, beauty, purely patriarchal, is temporary too,

But men will leave your feathers on corner coffee tables,

Beggars will wave you at clients while fanning loban lamps!

By Antonio Rodrigues