Split Conscience

EAST blames WEST and WEST renounces EAST,

Each celebrating its peculiar feast.

One proudly mourns the laureate days by-gone,

The other hails the Light of its rising dawn,

Each discovering its profitable path

Through struggling ideological wrath.

*

Cautious , suspicious , intolerant mood,

Unforgiving temper, ungrateful food:

Matter and spirit reciprocating awe,

Unearthing Satan’s arm to break God’s law,

Heritage wrecking, queerly constructing,

Yet pondering, wondering, lamenting.

*

Haunting PAST ! Leave me in PEACE !

Disturbing PRESENT! Where to, please?

Here I tremble, fearing tomorrow’s fold,

Amazed , dazzled, deceived by Silver and Gold.

Yet move must I, willy-nilly, led or misled;

So, MERCY on my shattered fate be shed!

*

Mohammed Abu-Talib