it's winter...

by human being

illustration by rhoda penmarq

. no wind no rain no snow a long cold dry season lasting a lifetime they say people soon get used to things they say people soon forget but i got used to not getting used to and i forgot to forget i still remember the hopeful mountains of my city: they used to walk with me everyday before they disappeared in the smog i still remember the sincere eyes of the people of my city: they used to talk to me everyday before they disappeared in the dark i still remember who i am and where to go but no one believes me when i tell the truth or when i say each step makes a difference they have forgotten that caring is sharing that sharing is all they look at me strangely when i stop to watch the crows or when i treat the street cats to some food smiling at children is considered a waste of time writing poetry a good way to kill time! pens are mostly used to write shopping lists books are written but not read all have become shadows dissipating in the light of lies enveloping the city all have forgotten all are forgotten sometimes a few come together to show off the collection of their pains or to discuss their bed adventures yet soon they retreat to their loneliness they nod when you talk about preservation of the environment but never get off their cars they smile when you sing about freedom but never open the door of their cages they shut their eyes and ask where beauty is they open their eyes and wonder why they cannot find the truth no wind no rain no snow a long cold dry season lasting a lifetime .