Ode to a Barren Mango Tree

Night after night you keep me company.

Do your pendulous leaves perceive my thoughts?
What quickens your scaly branches, dark tree?
I see no mangos, only leprous spots.

You fear neither wind nor hot sun nor rain;

I struggle with fear—are you not aware?

Your branches cannot reach my window pane;

I assume you're oblivious out there.

You cannot move, and yet you're unconfined.

You know no walls; the sky is your ceiling.

I have no roots, but please don't be unkind;

I'll step outside and share what I'm feeling—

As if you'd listen, right? Perhaps you would

If you were flesh and blood instead of wood.

© 2024 David Acosta

The Fallen Elves

We were the elven elite;

All other races envied us.

How could they even compete?
And yet, we were oblivious,

Unaware of the snare

We were about to glide into.

It began as a dare;

Oh, but it rent our world in two.

And we fell from the bright northern heights

Of our blue enchanted kingdom faraway;

We became a race of restive sprites,

Nomads in the wilderness of our dismay.

We'd bathe in magical streams;

Wild river spirits beckoned us.

Passion and pride were our themes;

We were a race vainglorious.

In our strength so secure,

Mightiest of the Pantheon,

Till we faced the allure

Of the destructive, darkened one.

And we fell from the glorious heights

Of our blue enchanted kingdom faraway;

We became a race of restive sprites,

Nomads lost in the wilderness of our dismay.

Lifeless, we pine evermore

For that which we'll never regain...

In the realm of dark folklore,

Suns engulfed by a prideful rain.

© 2024 David Acosta