Stale Verse Poem by Driss Ezzireg

What if water became honey, dear?
Would honey still cost much money?
Would its taste be that of stale beer?

What if earth became plain desert?
Would people still love it, honey?
Or would they be glad to leave it
For a more hospitable planet?

What if blood flooded the fertile lands, darling?
Could the lands still be generous and yielding?
Or would they be dry as the ploughman's heart?

What if love that bonds men together
Were gone for once and ever, sweetheart?
Would life still mother us or rather tear us apart?

What if homes vof warmth and shelter
Were shattered and people scattered, dear?
Would it still be possible to share
Dreams and matters with sons and daughters?

What if ' brotherhood of mankind' weren't just words in the lips
But a solid truth in every man's mind, darling?
Wouldn't that be the beginning of eternal bliss?

The woman silently listened and blatantly answered:
Only stale verse hidden in a dead bard's purse
Can of these silly matters freely converse!