This Day Poem by Etienne Charilaou

The dogs bark
and the birds chatter.
Don't say, ‘It
doesn't matter! '

Though you stay at home,
you are not under house arrest,
you are free to roam,
unlike the rest.

Oh! My head aches.
In bed at a late hour
today's plans have made sour.

Two newcomers to our domain,
a pair of lovebirds colourful
seem to call for me
from their perch
in a neighbour's tree.

Food proffered is declined
as though my company's
their only design.

If I were in a prison true
more people would I see
than the meagre sum
that in my precincts be.

A solitary life is a blessing
but at times it is a curse.
Crowds you're best avoiding,
but loneliness feels worse.

Lack of rest has made
the sunshine duller.
But petals're bright
my mood despite.

Too many a rebuff
have I sustained.
A social rule I broke,
my ignorance punished at a stroke.

Withdraw! My feelings advise
but to retire even more
cannot be wise.
Still, warier, lonelier,
my self-doubt waxing,
growing wiser perhaps,
to join the ranks
of those for whom life
has lost its savour.