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Interview With A Grain Of Sand


As I trudge across the Thar desert, western India,
up and down the waves of the undulating dunes,
my inquisitive sight is focused on their shining surface.
One tiny quartz grain of sand catches my eye.
I feel the grain is ready for a dialogue with me.

So I ask : Where do you come from?
Sand grain (SG) : Far from the desert there is a rocky terrain 
        where tireless time weathers the rocks, produces the
        sand grains, and you see me as one of them.
Me :  How long are you here?
SG :  I don’t remember how long, but it seems a long time 
         I have been slipping in what I construe as a hour glass.
Me :  Your body is rotund, you can’t walk. How have you 
         come to where you are now?
SG :   As the storm blows, I along with others have flown 
         in sand mist on the wings of the desert wind to settle 
         on the shining slopes of the dunes. 
Me :   On these slopes dances mystifying mirage in the company
          of your reflective friends. Do you like this?
SG :   No. It deceives the thirsty travelers. I have a pure crystalline
          heart, I don’t dishearten them by making misleading mirage.
Me :    Truly, you have a heart aglow with wisdom and sympathy.
          With this kind of mental make-up you must be bored being
          stuck in the desert dune.
SG :   Yes. I want to roll down free, dance with the rhythm of the 
          dune ripples, listen to the hot music of the scorched wind, 
          and in moonshine waltz with the cool night’s beguiling breeze.
Me :   If you’re made free, the searing squall will blow you away. 
         Would you like it?
SG :   Yes. I’ll fly to the fervid fold of the opalescent oasis and sink 
          suffused with serenity in my blissful core that the rage of the
          desert sun can’t burn anymore. I’ll mark a moment at the 
          end of time.
Me :   Wish you best of luck. Thank you for the interview.

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