Les Merton- A Poem

WHEN THE WORLD ENDS

Delhi will have more 

than the usual pandemonium:

the crush of mechanical and human traffic

will surge into a terminating collision.

In Paharganj drug dealers, backpackers, 

touts and beggar kids try to ignore chaos 

of rickshaws, bicycles, dogs and holy cows

as the enhanced confusion of street aroma 

from flowers, curry, urine, incense, chai, 

spices, traffic fumes and unwashed fear 

assault the senses one last time.

At Gandhi Smrita the poignant memorial 

of concrete footprints, representing Gandhi’s 

last steps, disappear into the abyss 

and the Mahatma’s final words, Hey Ram *

echo over the devastation of Delhi.

*Hey Ram  -  Oh God

 

Les Merton has 20 books to his credit and he has won numerous writing awards. His poetry has been published in magazines in the following countries: Algeria, Australia, Belgium, Canada, Cornwall, Cyprus, Eire, England, Finland, Germany, India, Italy, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Scotland, South Africa, USA. He also has had many poems published online and in anthologies.

During his writing career Les has also appear on: ITV’s That Sunday Night Show, BBC TV Spotlight News, and on the following Radio Stations: BBC Radio Bristol, Duchy Hospital Radio, BBC Radio Cornwall, BBC Radio 4, Pirate FM, BBC Radio Five Live, Penwith Radio, St Austell Bay Radio, Redruth Community Radio and ABC Radio Canberra, Australia. He enjoys performing and has given readings all over the UK and in Ndola Zambia.