In the Shadows of Riches

In our confinements

Happy 

We live unaware, the walls tall

Impervious

All night the sky rained,

The cadence of pattering 

Camouflaged the voices wailing

Wall of wattle-daub fell 

And thatched roof trickled

Bled for the whole night

Have-nots 

Lay collapsed beside. 

In the bliss of rain, drenched,

The sight remained veiled 

Of opulence’s haze,

Oblivious

We live happily

With our towering disdain.

.

Damp briquette

And burning hunger

Scathed souls

Gulped rainwater, satiated 

Howling stomach,  hushed.

Then rained incessantly 

With the clouds,

Eyes barren

And the skyline insolent stood a bystander.

.

A new day dawned, shone hope,

Stolen their share of light, the high-rise

Penumbra cast under they remained,

Plunged into the darkness forever

And we live happily 

Unaware ‘n indifferent.