Vanity Poems
The Vanity of Existence
by Philip Freneau
In youth, gay scenes attract our eyes,
And not suspecting their decay
Life's flowery fields before us rise,
Regardless of its winter day.
But vain pursuits, and joys as vain,
Convince us life is but a dream.
Death is to wake, to rise again
To that true life you best esteem.
......
So What!
by Yahaya Qasim
So what? Even if I gather all the cakes of life,
And I eat with golden plate, spoon and knife;
My ride on Unicorns wouldn't stop the clock,
Even if I share with non from my luck.
So what? it's easier for a camel through the eye;
Than a rich man to make the kingdom of the sky.
Even if the dreary death will never desist,
From ending my breath; even if I resist.
Those who know me will know me no more;
......
Cynical
by Sihle Mjobo
I may be a little cynical
A merchant of dreams
Never reluctant to promise forever
Inclined to harm those I vowed to never
What can I say?
Promises are meant to be broken
Shattered vows are basically a cliché
......
Beauty's Vanity and Worthlessness
by Joseph Ogbonna
Though I style my curly braids with ribbons bright,
and colour my sweet moist lips with royal red
to look as bright and fair as a newly wed.
Though I stand on two towers to get a better height,
with eyelashes that beckon at each gazer.
Though my trendy gowns make me a trailblazer
with great designer labels that distinguish.
Though I have curves which men wished they could relish,
revealed slightly through my scantily clad frame.
Though I have this charm which could hardened hearts tame,
......
Vanity Of Vanities
by Christina Georgina Rossetti
Ah, woe is me for pleasure that is vain,
Ah, woe is me for glory that is past:
Pleasure that bringeth sorrow at the last,
Glory that at the last bringeth no gain!
So saith the sinking heart; and so again
It shall say till the mighty angel-blast
Is blown, making the sun and moon aghast,
And showering down the stars like sudden rain.
And evermore men shall go fearfully,
Bending beneath their weight of heaviness;
......
Beauty's Vanity and Worthlessness
by Joseph Ogbonna
Though I style my curly braids with ribbons bright,
and colour my sweet moist lips with royal red
to look as bright and fair as a newly wed.
Though I stand on two towers to get a better height,
with eyelashes that beckon at each gazer.
Though my trendy gowns make me a trailblazer
with great designer labels that distinguish.
Though I have curves which men wished they could relish,
revealed slightly through my scantily clad frame.
Though I have this charm which could hardened hearts tame,
......
Positively Stunning
by Evelyn Judy Buehler
I used to be obsessed with fashion, caring far too much about clothes,
Like the sun whenever he's coming and going, is striking vanity's pose.
I lavished absurdly upon my wardrobe, in excess of what was practical,
Like the glittering rainbow colors, proffer more than what is passable!
Though I wasn't an awful person, in this one area, I admit I was vain,
As the seasons, once departed, flaunt beautiful faces again and again.
I regularly read fashion magazines, and kept up with current trends,
......
So What!
by Yahaya Qasim
So what? Even if I gather all the cakes of life,
And I eat with golden plate, spoon and knife;
My ride on Unicorns wouldn't stop the clock,
Even if I share with non from my luck.
So what? it's easier for a camel through the eye;
Than a rich man to make the kingdom of the sky.
Even if the dreary death will never desist,
From ending my breath; even if I resist.
Those who know me will know me no more;
......
Cynical
by Sihle Mjobo
I may be a little cynical
A merchant of dreams
Never reluctant to promise forever
Inclined to harm those I vowed to never
What can I say?
Promises are meant to be broken
Shattered vows are basically a cliché
......
The Vanity of the Dragonfly
by Nancy Willard
The dragonfly at rest on the doorbell—
too weak to ring and glad of it,
but well mannered and cautious,
thinking it best to observe us quietly
before flying in, and who knows if he will find
the way out? Cautious of traps, this one.
A winged cross, plain, the body straight
as a thermometer, the old glass kind
that could kill us with mercury if our teeth
did not respect its brittle body. Slim as an eel
......
