The Taj

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