Statue: Sculpture That Would Remain Poem by Mahfooz Ali

I always look in one direction
I wear a mask, both night and day
Designed to scale and ones perfection
Time commands what comes my way.

I see the sunshine and the raining
Endure the wind and bitter cold
Clothed the same but weather staining
Made of stone and growing old.

I never smile or change emotion
Looked upon, and given thought
The patrons come and show devotion
While their many answers sort.

My flowers and the grasses tended
The fountains flow to honour peace
Flaws and cracks to we all mended
But from time I have no release.

I am not an indifferent to some people
Although they live, they are not free
Stagnate, lost with no direction
The gifts of life, to never see.

At least I am here to be a symbol
Be an object and a view
Protected by my stony cover
Guided by what time might do..

I see the children grow till old
I watch and see what time does do
The years of new they all unfold
Until again the year is new.

Where I will stand in peace and glory
Hold my posture and my name
A testament to man’s endeavour
Sculptured so that I would remain.