Outside the college gate
He sits
Fingers, toes and nose
Eaten.
Burnt out, though
A malady
That haunts.
Children driven away from the gates
Purification of gates infected by their touch.
'The sickening sweet smell'
of the valley in Ben-hur
The mythical ailment
That felled Paul Gauguin.
But he smiles
Outside the college gate
Young ones of now
Exchange pleasantries with him
Provide flowers
For the glass tumbler.
Hibiscus and Cosmos
Beam from glass tumbler
Half full with water.
Some parcel breakfast for him
Others lunch
Or snacks.
But my friend and colleague
Talks to him
As she talks to me.
Subtly notes his needs
Clothes, blankets
Delicacies
Notices his absence
Outside the college gate
Wonders, worries
Shares anxiety with me
Happy when he turns up
“At least, he’s not lying somewhere
Dead
Unseen, unsung, uncared ”, she says.
I judged you once
My friend.
Forgive me.
You taught me
To leave Judgement
To the extra terrestrial.
3 comments:
'Thou shall not judge',uh? Being un-judgmental is an attitude, a sign of wisdom. But a shade of cynicism would be good. For survival.
I loved the rhythm of this- and the message behind it. If more of us would learn not to jump to conclusions and judge- this world would be a very different place.
I miss your poetic verses.
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