Pride’s Futility
With arrogant steps I walk with pride
This ill that seeps through my soul
I knew we reaped what we had sown
And yet conceit decorates my crown
And then I fell through darkness
As the earth opened beneath me
A muted thud and with dusty knees
I groped around half senseless
A labyrinth if I ever saw one
Of cobwebs above and cobbled below
Painstaking labour written on walls
And archways in this perfect hollow
A plush throne where greatness sat
And armor surrounded in gentle deference
Mahogany tables exquisitely carved
To reflect richness beyond abundance
Then sudden stir woke me sharp
And still the shadows ranged long and dark
Musty air moved through the halls
Or maybe just the August summer calls?
Was not the armor long lost to rust
Power hid by stone and brick
How futile wealth and greed and sin
If man and moment are soon done to dust
I smiled and sat upright
For I had had a dream within a dream
Of empty show and unfulfilled greatness
Of pride in plenty and gnawing worthlessness
I learnt, I remembered, I saw the light
The day I fell through the darkness
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Poem originally written on June 23, 2006
Category: Poems
