Alas! They Were Bubbles! Poem by P K Joy

Alas! All my riches were flashing bubbles.
All powers and positions were fleeting bubbles.
All the worldly pleasures were flimsy bubbles.
And all big connections were feeble bubbles.

A single misfortune wiped out my massive wealth
And destroyed the possessions that had any worth.
A single accident crushed my robust health.
And obliterated my beauty that exuded mirth.

I now live in a mercy-home’s dormitory.
My life is aided by kind people’s generosity.
I get twice-a-day free supply of gruel for food
And for sleeping I’m given a makeshift bed.

In those days when I lived like a rutting elephant,
Wallowing in riches, making life increasingly pleasant,
None could have imagined that this would be my end.
If I had any hint, my life style would have been different.

Rowdiness,
Cheating,
Cruelty,
Inequity,
Adultery,
Insensitivity,
Insobriety
Corruption,
Oppression,
Misappropriation,
Exploitation,
Rat races,
Elbowing, and
The like,
I wouldn’t have ever practiced.

Remorsefully I cry and beseech, Oh, God!
Give me a chance to undo every misdeed.