The glow of a late Autumn Sunset,
Gleamed over the dense city streets.
Rushing wheels and honking horns,
Halted awhile for the traffic signs.
Through the rows of rushing motors,
Men on bikes ploughed their way.
They squished and squeezed through every gap,
Caring a naught for the traffic rules.
With jarring siren, the Ambulance jeep,
Speeded past for Emergency aid.
The patient inside, in writhing pain,
Lay stressed on every hurdle raced.
Ladies holding children in hands,
And people bent with growing age,
Remained planted at the zebra cross,
Waiting to move to the opposite side.
As the tired people back from work,
Hurried away to reach their homes,
The jovial band in easeful mood,
Treaded towards the city parks.
Fortune tellers with their Tarot cards,
Held their clients in great suspense,
The street hawkers on tiled pavements,
Squatted beside their cheap merchandise.
Scores of men who treaded on foot,
Grew to Hundreds in a short awhile,
These were folks right from the show,
The Block buster had drawn hoards of men.
When young Dandies in tawdry dress,
Dallied round with their ladies love,
Street urchins in tattered clothes,
Went searching in the garbage pile.
While decrepit old beggars lay drowsy,
On the cement benches in wayside shelters,
The affluent Sahibs in plush restaurants,
Feasted on their cocktail dinners.
The city thus with its motley crowd,
Paints life in contrast shades,
For Fortune, with her alluring charms,
Favours a few and leaves the rest.
A lovely description in a simple language that can be understood by me even.
I don't live in a very large city, but reading this It feels like i just took a tour around one. It was an interesting sight: seeing the highest of highs and the lowest of lows all painted in astute splendor! A great write as always ^^ ~Nika
A charming and inclusive view of city life Valsa. I wondered though about the use of past tense in every stanza except the last and feel that the use of present tense throughout might better serve the timelessness of your observations. I would personally like a bit more ambiguity in your really nice last stanza as well as Fortune blessings are a bit nebulous at times, waxing and waning like the moon, something like... The city populated with this motley crew Paints life in contrasting shades, For Fortune, with her polygamous charms Favors some sometimes and leaves the rest.
i suppose " zebra cross" would be " crosswalk" to me in U.S. " The jovial band" i'm not sure (really) if this " band" is composed of musicians. Blockbuster was a chain of video rental etc. stores in U.S. favorite lines: " For Fortune, with her alluring charms, Favours a few and leaves the rest." I'm one of " the rest" ! bri :)
The efforts of picturising the busy and lively city in a beautiful poem is successful. It'sheart and face have also been touchingly expressed.....10
With minute observation and with your rich poetic language you have painted a realistic view of city life. A superb expression.
We have a pen picture of city life. To receive, now 15 comments, on your first poem is a tribute to your power as a poetess. Congratulations Valsa.++10
For fortune with her alluring charms favors a few and leaves the rest....this city life sole creation of man is amazing, enjoyable to some extent but cause of many suffering and hardship. You have given such a wonderful description of city life. Enjoyed reading.
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
Every word paints a picture so familiar and pressed upon my memory with its vivid colors. Life every where favors few fortunate ones but the resilience and vitality of individuals is what makes life so appealing for all. Your pen portraits a lively picture of all. Puts me write back to streets of my home town. Thank you for sharing.