Above the sky, the pain below

Above the sky, the pain below

What is it that I don't know
as I sow this bitter woe? I know

old-age deals a mighty blow:
falling apart, steady, slow. I know

that youth that once yelled go,
now thinks thrice and whispers whoa. I know

when from branches caws the crow
that in pastures cattle low, I know

neighbors water lawns then mow,
farmers plant their crops and hoe. I know

lamps sputter, nights bestow
nets to catch the starry glow. I know

stone walls answer sad and slow:
"To forestall death one must grow old. I know,

through spring, summer, autumn, snow,
be strong, Kåre. This I know." [163.396]


© Kåre Enga


An attempt at a ghazal for Dr M C Gupta 's contest

POETRY IN RHYME - RHYTHM CONTEST-winner  (E) A monthly contest for formal poetry in rhyme and meter. #1017054 by Dr M C Gupta

I wrote it in couplets of 7-9 syllable lines.