HAREM

In the by-lanes of a city large

There is a hidden house

Its four walls contain within them

Malice deceit and mental drought

Doors open to friends and strangers

Here, arms open to all

No affection no compassion

Hearts here have empty walls

Lives are buffered in seasons here

Fed gossip byte by byte

The reel from real they cannot tell

Friends depart as strangers rise

Here, false tales of love they spin

The oodles and the oomphs

The business of pleasure they conduct inside

Lies by day truth by night

Forsaking those who walked miles

For those who plastered crooked smiles

Behind veils of smoke lies vile intent

Fool fools of love and with lies befriend

Hide behind them year through year

Deceive them when the stakes are dear

Of batting eyelids they have rehearsals here

Tongues are dipped in syrups here

Hearts are pumped with vitriol here

The spirits and souls are dirty here

Alleys with mice are ridden here

Mice that all day remain hidden

But at night cunningly appear

To nibble on the rags of their souls

Only to dart for dingy holes

When approaching footsteps they hear.

The walls hide dirty secrets here

Of treachery and criminal lust

Yet they do not crumble

Yet do not fall to dust

Insolent they stand and hear

The bell and ringing phone

That brings new strangers for the night

Who smile and scream and yell and moan

Strangers welcomed by the bell

With the rising sun are sent to hell

Whose eyes had glimmered with what’s to come

Behind locked doors; the endless fun

Half merry half dejected turn away

From this loathsome house of the rising sun