Wilted Rose Of Hope

Wilted Rose Of Hope
© Surazeus
2025 07 25

I throw apple seed of my faith away 
so it sprouts into the tall Tree of Knowledge 
from which I gain grand wisdom of old sages 
who calculate rich economic gains 
to maintain integrity of respect 
written with blood on fractured temple walls. 

I try to ask old woman by the store 
how long it takes for ocean waves to talk, 
but she just gives me wilted rose of hope 
which leads me to brick building on the hill 
where children learn the secret alphabet 
designed by Brahmi of the wandering cow. 

After searching the whole world ninety years 
I find her again in streets of Mumbai 
cooking Vada Pav by brass temple gate, 
so I eat in memory of Gopinath 
while milkmaids dance in warm evening glow 
to celebrate Protector of the People. 

While wandering forlorn on the river shore 
after losing my homeland to invaders, 
I hear sweet voice of young woman who sings 
solemn hymn to savior of spinning Earth, 
so I kneel while Radha, daughter of Lakshmi, 
offers me cup of honey mushroom soma. 

To battle tyrant of the mountain cave 
I sharpen sword I forged from dragon bones 
to defeat enslaving demon of greed, 
then I return to pyramid of jewels, 
proclaimed as Verethragna by the crowd 
because I free the world from tyranny. 

When I hear roar of Zahhak in the night 
I ride swift horse with silver wings of light 
to fight evil dragon of arrogance 
that festers in my heart with lust for fame 
till I release desire to play their game 
so I can meditate on Damavand. 

I build ten thousand ziggurats of faith 
from Egypt east to vale of Mexico 
where daughters of Ishtar with star-clear eyes 
guide Children of Amen with song of hope 
to build foundation of her world empire 
which programs how I map myths of mankind. 

Amused at foibles of humanity 
in our vain quest to conquer time and death, 
I eat the chocolate cookie and drink milk 
as body and blood of the Eucharist,  
then ride my bike to the college library 
where I study languages of the world.