My Tests Poem by Naveed Akram

That which my manhood tests I have resented,
But that which priests have queried I have prayed.
My non-foolish comrades are of the sociable nature
That natural affluence is their deterrent to other people.
My manhood keeps the angels alive in the heavenly qualm,
My reasonable nature is accosted by good men of commerce
Who disappear from the doors to my house and mansion.
My own soul is bedevilled by hosts and badges that step
Into the lake of worry and distress, the august kings
With spread kingdoms launch into an abyss abnormal.

That which my manhood tests I have resolved,
From sentences and clauses, from laws and orders.
To those parallel to my soul are my bodies who discuss
With the angelic few like a surrenderer, objects of power
Discuss my importance, as the tested are put to shame.
It is my nature to dissolve the fiery flames into the rich furnace
Of furniture and gold, iron and steel, feeling and emotion.
Let the soul complain if it established falsehood,
My manhood tests the soul that is my comrade and friend.