Solar Winds of Change

The wind and sun had a contest as to who could remove the man's coat first. The wind blew cold over and over, and only succeeded in causing the man to wrap the coat more tightly around him. The sun sent light as warmth and the man removed his coat.

Which, wind or shine, succeeds in wager struck
brute force perforce? or gentle sun in luck?
The one with demons fights without, within,
the other tempts, litotes as kingpin.
If win or lose upon some throw of dice
depended - would world end in fire or ice?
One coat of superficial paint when shed
tomorrows' sorrows may prepare abed,
for if Sun Wind preceded in the game,
the coatless man might catch cold for his shame,
and if Wind worries first, with Sun to follow
blows hot and cold, then painful 'tis to swallow.
Perchance the answer lies in causal chain
prepared by Fate which patience tries with pain.
Again hot, cold, alternate night and day
play cyclic games, ply round the clock to weigh
the Gods' desires and plans no man may know:
for here today, tomorrow gone, to show
little while pride may stride upon the earth,
and even less when birth bows out to berth.

(7 April 2010)

poem by Jonathan Robin
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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