The Taj
by the Yamuna river
by the city of Agra
20,000 strong toiled
for twelve years long
burdened beasts untold
for thousands of days
hauling Mskrana stone
from quarries far away
sheets of ivory-white
a monument to appease
a longing loss of love
or a lady’s divinity
golden at morning rise
brilliant white by day
evening’s rose afterglow
moonlight’s blueish glaze
monument or testament
lasting to this present day
what price vanity only to be
ground to dust by ages sway