May You Live in Interesting Times

 It’s better to be a dog in a peaceful time 
than be a man in a chaotic period.
(Chinese proverb)
          ***

It is claimed that a Chinese
ancient curse heaped upon 
a despised enemy says,
“May you live in interesting times”

To  interpret this expression, 
as a blessing, is inaccurate;
it actually is a malediction.
It means that our nemesis
wishes us an unhappy existence.

How apt is that saying nowadays.
I'm afraid we are engulfed 
in utter confusion and chaos, 
politically as well as economically. 

The accounts didn't seem to tally,
we were led into a blind alley,
had to return and change course.
We waited for a knight to rally
to our rescue, not bear the brunt.

But that's what we have to do;
deal with the high cost of living,
accept the rising rate of inflation
and sky-high mortgage interest.

Credibility has to be restored,
we are told over and over
but marketeers are incredulous
that anything will be resolved
These are our interesting times

© Luigi Pagano 2022