Monday, August 5, 2019

MEDITATING IN THE PARK












     



 
1)         Compressed like sardines in these narrow streets

             Surrounded every side by concrete walls

             Nowhere I found a peaceful retreat

             To sit and meditate away from all.


2)          Loud voices and shouts echo from every side

             Not an inch of space left between buildings at all

             The city seems a restless swelling tide

             Filled with so many buildings and shopping malls.


3)         Away from those groups of people old

            Doing nothing but talk about their state

            Of health and their family’s feelings cold

            Of ebbing morals and endless political debates.


4)        Away from those women advanced in age

           Cribbing about their family feuds and strain

           About their loss of freedom and rebellious rage

           Of their sons and their partners’ fashions vain.


5)       Away from those idling youngsters proud

           Loafing and giggling with girls in bushes behind

           Away from drunken rogues and shouting crowd

           A peaceful place I tried to find to soothe my mind.


6)         No plan or vision seen in this concrete expanse

            The city grew like a monster beyond limits

             Devouring lakes, storm drains, farm lands and lawns

             None can revive lost things—beyond one’s wits.


7)         Looking for a solitary spot here means

            Searching for water in dry desert heat

            Amidst this tangled network of roads is seen

            A pretty park in a nook with sheltered seats.


8)         My search for Holy Grail succeeded well

             I entered the park to settle down at ease

             I sat in lotus pose and tried to feel the spell

             Of calm surroundings and gentle breeze.


9)         My pondering mood broken at once by cries

             Of children playing in wanton ways

             All my hopes dashed, my quick temper did rise

             Shaking my fists, those devils did I chase.


10)       With mocking howls they fled away from there

             I cursed those goblins for disturbing my mind

              I closed my eyes and tried to be aware

             Of my inner feelings away from dreary kind.


11)      From distance heard the sounds of kids at play

            Free from restless worries of the day

            Why so merry, why so carefree, why so much gay?

            Happy like sweet blossoms in happy May.


12)      Their guileless mirth brought back legends of the past

            The childish pranks of the Lord as a blue cowherd

            Sharing butter with mates stolen from pots

            Playing and jumping in the woods like merry birds.


13 )      My mind flew back to happy times remote

            When we did rollick and roll with delight

             On velvet-green where dragon flies did float

             In jolly chase we leaped to catch their nimble flight.


14)       Such earnest hearty laughter long forgot

             Such carefree days of pristine innocence

             Above the earthly pull of worldly thoughts

             Can we regain by meditation and penance?


15)        Those happy kids playing there in the park

              Happy like floating clouds or singing larks

              Caught my casual gaze as I sat in the dark

              A sense of guilt I felt for my angry remarks.


16)        Is it not true essence of carefree bliss

             In spite of living long, why we still miss?

             Our minds buried under passions and prejudice

             Thinking too much, we make our lives a puzzling abyss.


17)        In their loud shouts throbbing delight I trace

             No lurking gloom and intentions base

             They seem a part of Nature, a harmonious race

              My heart unburdened, I left that place. 

                ***************************************

     6th August, 2019                                   Somaseshu Gutala

     
      Search for Holy Grail = search for something which is very hard to

      find. The Holy Grail refers to the cup used by Jesus Christ at the

      Last Supper. Many Medieval knights tried in vain to find that cup.                               
        
     


            
   



            

No comments:

Post a Comment