Lulled into drowsy reverie
Down a lane lined with purple Jacaranda trees
Carried by the bus I watch the world go by
A verdant blanket of fallen blooms
Aglow in the candid light of noon
The sun climbs high in the South African sky
Past the market where spices fill the air
Indian women sell their wares
In graceful Saris with heads held high
Houses and gardens in a row
Where dramas of lives daily unfold
Children play and newborns cry
A sad satiety creeps over me
When death claims all, where is life’s nobility?
When all comes to naught and all efforts die?
With a grinding halt the bus stands still
One more passenger and the bus is filled
She sits down beside me in the only seat unoccupied
A straw hat with red cherries on raven hair
A fragrance of gardenia fills the air
With the innocent confidence of a child, she turns to me and smiles
Unabashed she studies me
Then nods at my notes asking curiously:
“What do you find in the scenes passing by?”
“I watch the pageant of life taking place
The pathos and humor, the cowardice and grace
I search for the meaning of
death and of life”
“Well my friend on this fine day
Though study you may, don’t forget to play”
With a smile she rises
And bids me goodbye
Though brief our meeting she leaves me changed
The mood is now festive like sparkling champagne
In her simple philosophy the answer lies:
In the play of life all act a part
The leading actors and the supporting cast
Each one has value that cannot be denied
To step off the stage is an act of disdain
A disregard for the artistry of the mundane
Embrace the role you are assigned
While watching the play of your life going by
Me too I am changed and invigorated. Thank you beloved Almine. 🙂
I feel the profound chills of eternity. All is in all. The illusion and the truth are somehow merged now, and the labor of sifting is over. Now we get to do the job, which is play.
Lol — Ailsa, are you [like] the raven-haired woman wearing the straw hat with red cherries in South Africa?
Anyhow, this poem reminded me of the lovely jacaranda trees and street vendors I saw in Nairobi last September 🙂
Thank you dearest Almine for all that you are and do!
Love, Selma
Your gracious being has given us yet another gift! Oh that I could sit and listen to your voice and luscious poetry…unendingly…Blessed Almine, thank you again~ Kathleen
Thank you, beloved Almine. This poem has a very significant message for me. All my love to you. Ailsa xxxxx
So beautiful!!! Thank you Almine.
Magnificent !