THE ATHEIST

 

                          

                 

                                            

1       He clearly says “In God’s existence I do not trust

About obscure things my time I do not waste

Why should I? nor I believe in mysterious fate;      

Make others safe and happy before I turn to dust

Like distant stars God is beyond my grasp

Why should I argue with others and gasp?

All creatures live and ultimately pass

Away; none can stop this; none can surpass

This process; so, let me live and make best

Use of my life; no use to fume and fret.” 

 

2     Instead of bothering about gods unseen

Our neighbors and other creatures I care

So many struggle for necessities bare

So many beasts struggle for fodder green

Let me be practical and my help extend

On superfluous things why should I spend

Though we can’t alleviate their troubles entire

Let me contribute my mite though not all they desire.

Let me be humane enough and show concern

Of course, life’s journey is full of twists and turns.” 

 

3       “Let me be down-to-earth; not aspiring for stars

Or planets or fictitious heaven and hell

Let me care for this earth where we dwell

Let me not pollute this precious sphere and mar

Her bounteous gifts, her indwellers, birds and beasts

Respect Nature but show some concern at least

In making others happy true joy we relish

Have some civic sense and not be selfish

Not destroy and disturb her beauty supreme

We can’t re-create Nature though trivial it seems.

 

4       Let me be humane enough to show concern

For others and help them as far as I can

Not selfish and destructive but live like a man;

Though life’s course is full of twists and turns

In the name of superstitions let me not torture

Our fellow creatures but with love let me nurture;

Nature’s selfless and liberal love we find everywhere

Can’t we be thankful and nourish Her with care?

What you find in worshipping idols and stones

I find in selfless service of living beings alone." 

 

5       “Let me nourish this earth with much care and prime

Let me protect all creatures and not waste

And we suffer utmost before it is too late

Her gifts, an unpardonable and inhuman crime;

Let me be of some use as far as I can

Not be selfish and destructive, but live like a man

With so-called scholars I would not like to debate

Though not bring Nature back to Her pristine state.

To fulfill our needs on society so much we depend

A little concern and care to it can’t we extend?”

 

6          “They who claim themselves as devotees great

Try to appease gods with gifts and gold

Prayers and sacrifices they perform and hold

To get their wishes fulfilled they satiate

With rituals and rites as if they make a deal

For their own sake and not for public weal

They measure their devotion with worldly things

For the struggling poor, relief they do not to bring

About people's worries, they never show compassion

   Without selfless love what is devotion?”

 

      7   “Though they state that everything in creation

Evolves from omniscient God, they care not

About suffering beings and never thought

About society and human relations;

They lavishly spend their gods to please

Hoping that by God’s grace their sins will decrease;

They rush to miracle-men with faith profound

On pilgrimage to temples and they move around.

I say “Don’t get stuck up in the past and get lost

Help others rather than gods beyond your thought.” 

 

8        Whatever creed you follow be human at least

Your acts and words should not hurt people around

Instead of heaven think about people on the ground

Rash, thoughtless actions show your inner beast

Waste not your time in empty talk, play your part;

With a sympathetic and generous heart

Once your life is gone a rare chance is lost

You can’t get back your life at any cost.

Your helpful, humane actions ever remain

 As sweet memories, though you won't come again.” 

 

9             Let me be humane enough to show concern

For others and help them as far as I can

Not selfish and destructive but live like a man;

Though life’s course is full of twists and turns

In the name of superstitions let me not torture

Our fellow creatures but with love let me nurture;

Nature’s selfless and liberal love we find everywhere

Can’t we be thankful and nourish Her with care?

What you find in worshipping idols and stones

I find in selfless service of living beings alone.” 

            ************************

21st February, 2026               Somaseshu Gutala

Note: Please note that I am not an Atheist or favouring that idealogy.  But speaking in plain terms, he is not a hedonoist indulging in sensual pleasures, but a humanist at heart showing concern for people's problems and a Nature-lover interested in caring for Nature and all living beings. He is above narrow sectarian views of caste, creed and religion. Though limited in vision, the Atheist shows genuine concern for Nature and living beings which is great. In stead of mouthing platitudes and sitting idle, he adopts a practical approach and tries to do something to help people and protect Nature.

 “Hands that serve are holier than lips that pray.” (Mother Teresa).

 “The best portion of a good man’s life is his little

nameless, unremembered acts of kindness and love.”

 (William Wordsworth)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After Sixty Years

 

                  

                                         

                

                            

1.         Some sixty years ago our village we left

By now so many changes happen in every place

We may not trace our home after so many days;

Despite knowing this fact, we got set

To find out the spot where we had stayed

As tenants where, as kids, once we had played;

A hopeless vain adventure, though we knew

We went there though we had very few clues.

 

2.         Just near the village temple we used to reside

But now a plethora of temples set up everywhere

Beside the banks of the river; who will care

About a house so old we thought; still we tried

To pursue our search; to our surprise we got

Support from people who helped a lot to spot;

Beside a hall we saw meant for rituals and rites

A gate with lion figures came before our sight.

 

3.          As we were hesitating to enter the gate

A young lady came out and asked us to come in

The inmates welcomed us with a happy grin;

Recognized us though we are in a confused state

We saw the front yard with a garden and trees

Where once we used to play with kids filled with glee

The house though old as it was, did remain

We recalled our past days of pleasure and pain.

 

4.        We saw the temple where weddings were done

In simple style without much pomp and show;

The temple premises illumined with mercury glow

We recalled how with much festive zeal and fun

Well-known performers acted on the stage

As people in large numbers came to encourage

The actors, shouting and clapping with zeal;

Legends were sung with dramatic gestures and feel.

 

5.         We watched carnivals from home with curious eyes

Folk dancers, stalls, toys, jugglers and magic shows

Vendors selling toys and balloons with colorful glow;

Cute kids used to come in silky dresses nice

We got used to rumbling sounds of trains on track;

Our childhood days, we recalled and flashed back;

Before the goddess with lolling tongue red and bright

People sacrificed goats and birds, a dreadful sight. 

 

6.        The whole family invited us with happy smiles

Recollecting the past events so clear and precise

As if they happened now and called us name-wise;

Though we changed a lot, they recognized us so fast

Each room brought forth before our eyes past events

When we played with joy filled with excitement

We were transported back to our childhood days

We were touched by their intimate, amicable ways.

 

7.        Though they have incurred loss of wealth and state

Their affection and courtesy not yet lost;

Though their own kin swindled their wealth a lot

They lived content; their feelings did not abate

Though they lost their parents many years ago

As childhood friends, same affection they did show

By their hospitality and love, we felt very glad

Looking at their humble state, we felt very sad.

 

8.        Their hospitality and warmth moved us so much

After so many years, so miraculous we thought

Very rarely we find such noble and lovable hearts

What can we give them in return? Not much;

Our childhood friends showed same feelings of love

Remembering so vivid our past years, as if now;

We took our leave as they waved with tearful eyes

With overwhelming surprise and nostalgic sighs.

                  *******************

  8th February 2026                Somaseshu Gutala 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TRUE FRIEND

 

                    

                             

                                                     

 

True friendship is a precious boon indeed

It is not based on materialistic needs;

It has nothing to do with our state, loss or gain

He gives sage advice and alleviates our pain;

With him we do not hesitate our feelings to share

Status and power, true friendship will not care;

A true friend will not find fault or criticize;

In adverse state he guides us with advice precise;

He gives us solace in challenging times hard

Soothing our perturbed minds in times of discord;

He will not gossip about our failings and flaws

With such noble friends we rarely come across;

Even when out of sight he will; maintain

Cordial contact hoping no benefit or gain

A source of inspiration in deeds and thoughts

Not mere flattery but earnest his heart

He will not blurt our secrets to everyone

And make us an object of laughter and fun;

A true friend will not puff with pride and frown

He will not show off his status and look down

He is not bothered about power and fame

Irrespective of status he remains the same;

His precious company gives us relief

In this selfish world of deceit, and grief;

Many people claim themselves as friends dear

But for their own benefit it is clear;

And once their deeds done, they vanish like mist

Our name is bluntly struck off from their friends’ list;

Rarely we find such true friends who treat

Us with such intimacy and affection sweet;

Blessed are those who have such soulmates

Who keep us happy, their worth beyond estimate.

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

   2nd February 2026                  Somaseshu Gutala