Anuradha Verma

Boastful Building

“Grand, majestic and mighty,
Firm stand I like the pole star,
Your life is a paradox !!
Your life is flimsy and passing.
Look at me,
Man has made me,
A thing more lasting than he.
Look at yourself ……
Your life is short, expendable.
But I stand erect and indomitable”.
So spoke the mighty mansion.
In return, Annie uttered,
“Don’t vaguely mutter.
You may be a portal being,
But you are inanimate, insensate”.

The building could not desist
And boastfully did persist,
“Yes, I am non-living and inanimate,
But life in me does pulsate.
I am the legend, heritage and history.
Unlike me you are a mere short story”

Annie retaliated,
“Nothing on earth is everlasing,
Living or non-living.
All are mortal.
And would one day lie in ruins.
So don’t be so brash !!
A slight tremor of the earth,
Would end your mirth.
You would shatter, and scatter
And be only broken sticks and stones”.

The proud palace then pondered
And then calmly conceded,
“Let us not compete
And compare our fates.
Humans have a life immanent.
Nought on this sphere is permanent.
You and I are alike the creations of earth.
As, I am your peer, you are my dear.
So, let us be friends, and not contend.
The earth is ours, together,
We are her powers.
I am your haven, your nest.
You are my life and pulse.
I am a building.
You are a sweet girl.
On this note let us part.
Adieu, Adieu, sweet girl”.