Temporary Travellers

NA Poetry Contest Sponsored by Ink Empress Temporary Travellers Men are all short-lived travellers Of the illusive earthly sphere And death the callous leveller Of all who on its way do steer. All along the route we travel We knit a web of relations: As a darling child and marvel For our parental affection, As caring and loving father Fulfilling our duty in life, As an affectionate mother Disposed for every sacrifice, As a spouse in family net Upholding moral traditions Or as close friends associated By similar goals and passions. Whether a preacher or teacher, Whether leader or follower All one day quit their outer garb In search of the celestial orb. Death is the leveller of all: It respects no age, caste or creed, It respects no rule, rank or deed, All have to quit when comes the call. Whether powerful lords or kings, Monarchs or simple folks, indeed, They all do fall down on his ring And with them nothing do they bring. Let us take no pride in glory, In cars, mansions or palaces In power or authority: These are futile and out of place, These last but for some days, some years And do not keep us company Or stay by our side, near and dear When turned to ashes clumsily; Our sole company to the grave Remains our kind and noble deeds From mire the human race to save And bring relief to to folks in need. Let not fame elate us too high Nor social or family ties Blind our outer temporal sight To the truth of the Divine Light; Let not the fateful, sad demise Of someone to us near and dear Dishearten us much out of size Or shroud our life with clouds of fear. Our solace to those afflicted And prayers for those departed; After such events let us rise, Let not our will wane with sad sighs; Rather let us shore up our faith And trust in the Almighty Lord As what for us just lies in wait, To question we cannot afford; Everything proceeds from His Will,* Like storms ravaging with a thrill, Like floods flowing all on its way, Like earthquakes shaking all away; Let the shine of the Divine Light Guide our path as we unravel Our journey of life with delight As temporary travellers; Let it lead to the rightful goal To cleanse and purify our soul As we wearily wade our way To liberation everyday, Liberation from the chains Of temporal travel and death, And exit from the illusive earth A heavenly shade to attain. *In verse10.8 of Bhagavad Gita as It Is, Lord Krishna says to Arjuna: “I am the Supreme Truth and the cause of all causes.”