Mañana Mañana

Some choose to taste the fruits of life and though not always sweet, generally with time the soul is enriched. By contrast, others choose a more insular route..

Mañana Mañana, Moneyhill's resident ogre
settled into the townland some fifty years ago
a nasty, surly brute, who took trenchant root
ceasing the winds of progress to blow

Like a vulture looming large, he grabbed the opportunity
when a once prosperous farm, lacked leadership
for great uncle Bill, never considered a will
affording malevolent Mañana, his chance of courtship

Aware, the devil makes work for idle hands
eagerly, the ogre set about his contrived task
with no heir to the throne, he threw the dog a bone
preying on Bill's propensity, for the bottle and hip flask

Then sure as night follows day, Mañana got his foot well in
as things gradually fell into disrepair
and when Bill passed away, folk knew but dare not say
that now dishevelled farm, had a monster in it's lair

With hedges unkempt, pasture, thick in thistle
on land no longer farmed nor worked
next of kin came to the door, who hadn't been seen before
but that odious ogre, still, would not be usurped

Like a pack of hungry wolves, relatives, fought between themselves
as Mañana stoked their flames of greed
just as the Marquis de Sade, knew his bed was made
when he played upon his victim's wanton need

Legal battles wrangled on, only lawyers profiteering
while beleaguered fields cried out for cultivation
but if an ogre walks the ground, all that can be found
are stinging nettles, sharp blackthorn, neglect and degradation

And today it's still the case, fools blinded by indifference
Mañana Mañana, they cannot eradicate
for what they do not know, is pure as driven snow
and will evict an encamped ogre, consigning it to a lonely fate

You see, to harvest all through life yet never plant a seed
may invite a nasty ogre into ones' abode
but it will not frequent, where a child plays innocent
because in loving hope, a little seed was sowed!

( Mañana Mañana is Spanish for tomorrow or some other time )

Author's Note

Just my own interpretation of life's many meanderings....

Reviews

[Sheila Kline]

Your sage lesson says volumes, but I find your last two lines those that first speak to me. Where the innocence of a child is present, therein is where love is found, and with love comes compassion. The purity of innocence shutters the opportunity for greed and ill will to prevail. The little seed that is sowed with such hope does not allow one as the nasty ogre to take hold of that which is not made available for him to take. We must remember to treat others with kindness, and love so that hope may be as a wellspring for the soul! We reap that which we sow. And as one toils with virtues that reveal a spirit full of grace, then the effort expended will be worth the effort.

Your words that speak of it being the same today, as it has been throughout the ages, show the continual battle between good and evil, concern and lack of concern which leads to hate, and acts that shut out that which profits mankind.

Your ability to weave such lessons as this into a form that we may understand and remember, surely must encourage us to do that which is good!

I say in closing, "Be gone, bad ogre! I pray to not allow you to cast your shadow 'cross my land! Manana is depleted. Goodness shall be my guide this day!"

[Tom]

Thank you Sheila for your welcome and studious interpretation of my poem, and as ever, you hit the nail on the head !

[DIVYA]

The ogre lives in us. The ogre is us. And the only way to subdue it is to plant seeds and not just to look to harvest. Coming straight from a noble poetic soul, your thoughts and words are cherished so much, dear friend.

[Tom]

Thank you my friend for your ever encouraging words!

[DIVYA]

Its a joy to read you, dear Tom!

[barleygirl]

Your writing is very imaginative, way beyond my own feeble brain waves, I fear! I love this seemingly epic battle between purity & craven ogres that may get their foot in the door when a life is in disrepair. I think your main point is found in the last stanza, basically, that what you sow is what will prevail in our lives. I love your word paintings of animated dark characters thru-out.

[Tom]

Thank you B.G. for your always welcome visit & exceedingly constructive critique!

[tanmay7551]

Great words, Tom, Sir!

You see, to harvest all through life yet never plant a seed
may invite a nasty ogre into ones' abode

Your interpretation has cracked the nuts and opened too many paths for one to either take it or leave it.

[Tom]

Thank you Sir!

[Beccy]

Insidious and ongoing are those that take root, then simply take and take without ever giving.

All that is left in this world now is the innocence of children and even that we more and more seek to destroy at too early an age.

Your poem speaks to me in the right way.

Beccy.

[Tom]

Thank you Beccy, glad to know you can relate !

[andrew mitchell]

I am just a jester in comparison, when I read your writes Tom lol, as humour is my key to entertain but your work is enriched with history, lovely verse and flowing content. I loved the reference to Marquis de Sade, the meaning of manana manana, and yes one's meanderings through life. Nice work Tom:):)

[Tom]

Thank you Andrew for perception appreciation of my poem !

[Kathy Van Kurin]

tom,
New to your work; "Manana" really hit hard! Tomorrow will come, there is no other possibility and all we do think and feel goes right along with us. I love the massage withing this story. Moral degradation is something to flee. blessings to you sir Kathy

[Tom]

Thank you kindly Kathy

[Kathy Van Kurin]

So welcome!!

[marilyn 1225]

I meant to write I like the ending of the child who was once a seed etc

[Tom]

You got it my friend, yes, that's my poems point and thank you again for your visit and fine appraisal

[marilyn 1225]

well written and swifly done like the ending of the child once a seed is Hope in all the world's disarray /weeds and despair maybe do you write professionally?

[Tom]

If only Marilyn, if only lol....🤗

[marilyn 1225]

you could, Tom, you write and gain attention with your work go for it

[Woody]

I was expecting something funny as most of your writes are but I was not disappointed to find wisdom instead. you talk about something I've seen quite often unfortunately. I'm always flummoxed by the greed of the human race. brilliant as usual, Tom.

[Tom]

Thanks as always Woody for your welcome words !