Dubious Dreams

They sell dreams
life looks lovely
sky smiles to please
earth, a far-off place. 

Ground realities unknown
floods in monsoon unforeseen
fountains that sprinkled joy
spew stinking human waste
choked systems cheer not souls. 

Ambitions unlimited
ability ambivalent
yet, dreams delight
dry wick spreads no light. 

Venice on view everywhere
marooned children cry for food
builders vanish in a trice
caged birds spread no wings
collapsing scaffolds bury all dreams!