The Golden Lantern

I hung above the "Golden Lantern Inn",
been hanging here since the beginning.
I was all bright and dandy,
but now turning ninety.
I flickered now and then,
but I was alive and could ken.
Been guarding the Inn,
though inside,it's always a din!
But age was taking a toll on me,
my glasses cracked,
hinges hanging,
and light a tad dimmer.
I hung there everyday,
smiling on passer-bys.

One day,there she stood.
A chick ,she was, in a single glance.
Straight and streaked burgundy hair,
Pouting lips in bold purple lipstick,
a ring adorning her nose and belly,
cropped top , ragged denim shorts
and knee long black boots.
But she wasn't sexy,
until she looked up at me!
Her eyes lit the filament in me!
I glowed a little more brighter!
I hung staring at her,
as she waited long for her cab.
Bullies around ,gave dirty looks.
And whistled around her as she left.
She glanced not their way,nor gave a damn!
If a pet dog,I was,
would have bitten their asses!!

A regular ,she was at the inn
and customary became our visits.
Though she kept me alive everyday,
I was dying day by day.
Then came a day,so mean and cruel.
The winds blew hard
and the moon under hiding.
I tried to stay hooked,
to the hinges,clinging.
There she arrived unusually late.
Her hair tied into a twisted bun,
a full sleeve shirt and striped trousers.
Today looked like business for her,
though she was a party animal.

The winds gushed stronger,
the trees holding on to their roots!
She stood there waiting,
but her cab was found,no where near.
Came the bullies once again!
And today was their golden day.
They circled round her,
like hungry hounds.
They barked at her and closed on her.
She,not giving a bloody damn!!
But the alarms rang loud,
when they pushed her down!
She resisted with all the strength of hers.
But they began ripping and stripping,
and  longer I could not stare!

My light flickered and grew dimmer ,
and almost died out,
hanging by a small rusty hinge.
But ,let her die,I wouldn't.
I mustered my strength and
forced the filaments to light!
As I opened my eyes,
my anger began to rise!
Trying they were to eat her alive!
I had to fight for her life!

I rocked myself harder with the winds,
to rattle the shards of old glass within.
Fell a few pieces of broken crystal.
She picked them up and poked their hearts.
Still ,stood up one to strangle her!
but let go, she didn't ,any one!
Even then,came another big bully,
grasping her from behind!
The winds,now a banshee ,raging and furious!!
The moon came out from behind the clouds.
Now was the chance to strike!

I rocked myself harder and harder,
till the hinges were creaking and breaking.
Came I,falling down right on his head.
Fell I did,along with the bully.
But dead was he and safe was she.
Happier than ever was I,
As I saved her life.
She picked me up,
as my lights dimmed out,
Thanking me -"The old golden lantern",
As I fought for the ladies of the world!!!