CELESTIAL AND EARTHLY POEMS

THE GARDEN OF MISERY

I saw the garden that gave me the creeps and looked out for the hazardous steps. I tried to find the gate knocker, and then the bearded guard with the very old book in which he'd see my proceedings and tel me whether to go through. But I took heart. Since neither steps, nor gate, nor latch did I find; only utter isolation, crumbled walls, abandoned olden buildings and, moreover, scattered shadows trembling at the far end. ''Who'd be daft enough to stay in this garden of misery unguarded and unfenced?'' I yelled. But instantly my voice froze, for at the same time I cottoned on to the fact that the ramshackle gate, the worn-out steps, the peppy shadows at the back, and me with my dream, all of us were components of this gloomy garden, this murky garden of misery.