VANITY

Everything on earth is but a flame
That vanishes away in a silent haste
When the firewoods of life shall cover
Their beautiful faces with ashes

Everything on earth is but a vanity
The roses that bloom in the morn
But later in their grey night wither
Lo, the harlot that drank all men dry,
Whose nudity became prey to maggots
In the womb of untimely graves

Everything on earth is for awhile:
The oil of riches, the vegetables of fame
The onion of ego, the pepper of loot
The rice of laurels, and the meats of lust.
All will be no more in the plate of life,
When death shall dine with the owner.

Who then has mouth to arguably blab,
When death shall come with his spoon?
Lo, everything on earth is but a vanity
They’ll not go with us into the graves!

Written by: James T. Abel Adesitimi