Vidya Pandarinath Poet Lyric

The Soothsayer

Beneath the large, banyan tree in a set shed,
On the out-skirts of the lush green little town,
Beside the lone pathway to the holy riverside,
He sat firmly ready, styled himself in much pride,
As a soothsayer clad only all in a crimson gown,
And added self made circlet white ,on the head


His temple had the smear lines of sacred ash
With the focussed vermilion round mid- mark;
Beside him was his only asset,an old bag torn
Which showed his meek, simple wealth worn --
An almanac, some small cowries,and all stark;
His eager keen eyes did at passers by aye flash


He spared no sad a look, nor weak mind any,
But nodded them, and surely they were there,
Well within his reach,ready to set up to his tune;
Common ailments he loudly professed to prune,
But only added in multiples more to their scare;
With pomp -words sonorous, profuse and many


The day was cloudy and few ventured to go out
Which disheartened the seer and his day's gain
Yet he sat in all pretence and posture purely fake;
Smile spread on his face; he made no mistake
The intruder was not the one who hid his pain
And distress manifest in his looks sans doubt


Readily,as he was beckoned, closed on the other
Who left no chance for his prey but yield straight
And to empty his purse,back home from  hard toil
For the day between the twilights two, in turmoil;
The common worldly plea was used as sure bait,
And fear worked strongly, the reason to smother


"Beware the ides of the next month you mortal ! "
"A big serpent will cause you some trouble great"
Chill quiver ran through his body, tired and frail ;
And he stretched his hands for the luck to prevail
Changing all his wages for the talisman to abate;
The  amulet trivial was to evade the event fatal !


Soon the place was desolate and the glad gainer
Turned to abandon it, unaware of things to ensue
A stray bull darted,and his horns lofted the herald
Tossing the body with its bleeding bare head bald
Those who play with time and fate pay their due
Nature sways her sceptre evenly on the feigner !!

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