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.”
Copyright ©
Krishnanand Guptar
|