in austere times even the children learn to save
to hoard precious novelties for some other rainy day
in a world that only rains; we have forgotten
to play, remembered some carnal desire
to yearn instead. austerity pick-pocketed
all our hopes, so in turn we learnt to down-size
our dreams, to envision only in black and white
realities. no artists live here only
accountants and administrative clerks and
tax auditors - we surrendered to our futures,
hoping to amend our pasts
                         left our presents untouched.