A Note on Robert Frost’s Poem “BLUEBERRIES”

 

Children picking berries

                            

Clusters of blueberries

                      

                           

Robert Lee Frost (1874-1963)

This poem was written by Frost in 1912 and published in “North of Boston” in 1914. Robert Frost describes the interaction between two persons who passed by a pasture owned by Mortenson. They were surprised to see blueberry bushes with a luxuriant growth of ripe blue berries “as big as the end of your thumb”, “real sky-blue and heavy” which make a drumming sound when they are collected in a pail. “And presto they’re up all around you” convey the speed and dense growth of the blueberry bushes. The second speaker enquired where he had seen the bushes. The first speaker describes how the whole woods there were cut off two years ago and the whole area was burnt down by fire. The second speaker spoke about the magical growth of blueberries where no shady pines or a blade of grass was not left to grow on the burnt land. The first speaker speculates that the blueberries might have grown drawing nourishment from the soot or charcoal of the burnt pasture. He felt the taste of soot in them and also attributes their ebony colour to the burnt soot of the burnt pasture. The blue film seen on them is like thin mist or tanned colour of fruit-gatherers and it goes away by the mere touch of a hand.

 The second speaker then refers to Mortenson who owns that pasture. The owner of that place does not seem to care about these berries and feigns that he has no knowledge about the growth of blueberries in his land just to hide this fact from others. The second speaker asks whether he has seen Loren and his large family. The first speaker replies that Loren’s shrewd countenance seems to say that he had left a patch of land with many berries as if by mistake “to ripen too long” which may be taken away by other intruders. The second speaker remarks that Loren is a very thrifty person. The first speaker replies that he has to be thrifty as he has to feed so many children mainly on berries throughout the year. “He has brought them all up on wild berries, they say like birds.” They also store many berries and sell them at the shop to buy their necessities. Frost portrays here the hardships faced by poor farmers in his area.

The second speaker remarks “It’s a nice way to live/Just taking what Nature is willing to give” without exploiting her resources with plough and harrow. Frost hints at the exploitation  of Nature by  man  who destroys natural surroundings to satisfy his overambitious greed.

 The first speaker comments on the subtle behaviour of Loren’s children. They seem to be unconcerned and solemn though they knew about every place where the berries grew on hills and marshy ground.  The first speaker describes the pretentious and greedy nature of Morton by describing his meeting with him. Once he went to meet Loren and asked him to tell if any fruit was there for picking. Loren in a polite way answered that there were no berries found and cunningly enquired his wife whether any berries were seen for plucking.

 The first speaker continues that Loren thinks that “all the fruit that grows wild is for him.” Now they can avail the chance of picking berries which escaped the notice of greedy Loren. They would pick berries the next morning when the sun shines warm on the wet vines. The first speaker recollects the past memories of picking berries in stealth like mischievous goblins hiding in the underground. They used to go round picking berries. When one thought that he missed his friend, he heard his friend saying that they had stood near the bird’s nest and hence the bird was seen flying around them as if in a complaining tone.  While picking berries when his friend went far away, he used to shout thinking that his friend had lost his way. But actually his friend was seen standing quite nearby. Then both of them reflected that they would miss happy moments of picking berries if Loren’s children found out that place. They might come tomorrow or even tonight. Loren's children look at others as if others have no right to come there and pick berries. But the speakers think that after looking at such ripe berries covered with shining leaves glistening like two kinds of jewels, none would complain. Anyone would be tempted to pick those berries. “The fruit mixed with water in layers of leaves/Like two kinds of jewels, a vision for thieves.” 

Thus, the speakers recollect their happy experience and also on the urgency of enjoying picking blueberries again, a rich tempting treasure to all, especially to Loren’s children who survive on wild berries. In this poem Frost describes not only the beautiful view of blueberries but also the condition of poor people like Loren who are forced to be selfish and pretentious in order to survive. The poet also contrasts Nature’s kind and liberal spirit with man’s selfish and greedy attitude who wants to rob nature using his brute force and power. Frost captures the regional idiom and conversational style of New England region set to loose, flowing verse. In this dramatic lyric the poet uses a rhyming couplet structure with irregular length of stanzas; the use of quotation marks and use of first person suggest the sense of two people chatting. This dramatic lyric also re-creates the pleasures of picking wild fruit listening to birdsong in fine weather. This poem also show's Frost's creative skills, verbal facility, his sense of keen observation and description of  minute details of Nature in a sensuous manner as well as dramatic expressions of characters also. According to Michael Dana Gioia, an American poet and critic,"  Frost’s dramatic narratives are more concise, realistic, understated, and dialectical than any available model. Their combination of minimalist narration and direct dialogue with authorial neutrality is something tangibly new in narrative."

 Frost in early 1900's supported his family on a small farm in New Hampshire growing apples and raising poultry. Frost as a naturalist is widely acknowledged. According to his biographer, Jay Parini,  an American critic and writer, "few poets in the English language have been so specific in their knowledge of plants or flowers, or find filled poetry with so much flora and fauna".  Both humanists and scientists are drawn to Frost's poetry for its blend of artistry and accuracy.

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            15th May , 2021                                   Somaseshu Gutala             

 
                                                               

 

 

.” A Note on Robert Frost (1874-1963) Part - II

 

                               

                              

                                         

Robert Frost is considered as the national poet of America who expressed the beauty of American landscape, especially of New England region and the lives of villagers along with their problems and attitudes.  According to the American poet, Randall Jarrell, “No other living poet has written so well about the actions of ordinary man.” His style comprises various elements such as lyrics and narratives with characters and background drawn from New England. He chose rural themes and realistically described the lives of humble dwellers in the countryside, their occupations, family relationships, their joys and sorrows against background of Nature. He used a lot of metaphors in his poems. Most of his themes are about Nature and humanity such as : 1) Everyday life 2) Human contact with the natural world 3) Human love 4) Isolation of man 5) Life’s struggles 6) Nature in New England 7) Rural life and occupations 8)Self-realization 9) Simultaneous validity of opposing ideas etc. His works are noted for combining characteristics of both romanticism and modernism.

 He is not a provincial poet as he revealed the universal feeling of people and their struggles and their relationship with Nature. He spent his life as a poultry farmer in New Hampshire. For ten years he worked on his farm at Derry, New Hampshire and taught at Pinkerton Academy. He observed the laborious lives of farmers and the natural surroundings of the countryside. The clash between urban and rural lifestyles and the harsh conflicts seen in the natural world are realistically portrayed in his writings.

He is a classical lyricist influenced by early Romantic poets and contemporary British poets like Edward Thomas, Rupert Brooke and Robert Graves. Frost was often compared to William Wordsworth as both chose to write in the language actually used by men in the country side. But unlike Wordsworth’s mystic and pantheistic approach, Frost used realistic portrayal of Nature and the relationship between Nature and man. His approach is deceptively simple and conceals many layers of meaning. His style is epigrammatic, simple and clear. He uses colloquial diction of New England peasants but which is however purified of all that is vulgar, slangy and coarse. His imagery is drawn from the most common and familiar objects of nature.

 Frost uses symbols and metaphors with subtle layers of meaning. His poems capture the rhythms and cadences and tones of human speech. He is not egotistical like Wordsworth in poetic treatment and maintains artistic detachment but is only subjective in some of the elegies he had written. Like Wordsworth he chose incidents and situations from common life and presented them in a language actually used by the common man. Both used metrical verse and tried to reproduce the conversational and tone and rhythm of the natural speech. In Wordsworth’s view the use of meter enhances the pleasure of poetry. In frost’s view free verse is like playing tennis without a net. As far as technique is concerned Frost’s poems are remarkably flawless. Unlike Wordsworth, he is a conscious artist and revised his poems carefully. The rich texture of his verse conceals many hidden layers of meaning. 

 Richard Wilbur says that Frost did not use colloquial language of an uneducated farmer boy but rather a beautifully refines colloquial idiom set to metrical arrangement. He wrote lyrics, narrative poems, dramatic lyrics and monologues.  Skilful use of metaphors and symbols is one of the elements of his poetic style. Fact and fancy are beautifully mingled in his lyrics. His language is simple but highly suggestive. He used a conversational style with New England speech rhythms and colloquial idiom. His use of broken and loose syntax with parentheses, ellipses, unfinished sentences with abrupt openings and repetitions make him a modern poet of American countryside. Though he wrote on regional themes, he is quintessentially “a modern poet in his adherence to language as it is actually spoken, in the psychological complexity of his portraits and in the degree to which his work is infused with layers of ambiguity and irony.” His style could be described as conversational, realistic, rural(pastoral) and introspective. Ezra Pound wrote a review on Frost’s poem “A Boy’s Will” and said “, Frost has the good sense to speak naturally and to paint the thing, the thing as he sees it.” Amy Lowell reviewed “North of Boston” in the “New republic” and praised Frost’s original approach, unusual power and sincerity.

Simplicity, profundity, lucidity and subtlety are the hallmarks of his poetry. Frost’s best poetry is concerned with the drama of man Nature. Frost believes that man should live in harmony with Nature and not against Nature and natural process. The aphoristic lines in his poetry give to them a didactic quality. Louis Untermeyer says that Frost’s poetry is “a poetry which finds a response on every level which begins in delight and ends in wisdom.” Though his poems seem simple they are subtle and intricate with a rich texture and there we find layers within layers of meaning. He is a great experimentalist with various stanzaic forms. He has experimented with odes, satires, dramatic monologues and dialogues. He has employed ballad meter, Terza Rima, sonnets, couplets and blank verse.  He seems to have a special liking for the use of the quatrain form with simple rhymes like abab and abcb.  Edwin Arlington Robinson, another new England poet, was also noted for technical experimentation and used traditional verse forms like sonnet, ballad and blank verse and won three Pulitzer prizes.

 Robert Frost won Pulitzer prize four times in his life : for New Hampshire(1923), “Collected Poems(1930), “A further Range(1936) and “A witness Tree(1942. He published his first collection of poems “A Boy’s Will” in 1913. His collected poems “North of Boston” (1914) contains many of his popular poems like “Mending Wall”, “Death of the Hired man”, “Home Burial”, “Blueberries” and “Apple Picking”. His famous poem “Stopping By woods on a snowy evening” is from his collection “New Hampshire” (1923). Another famous poem “Birches” is seen in his third collection “Mountain Interval” published in 1916.

Robert Frost was regarded as America’s greatest literary figure and won much recognition and reputation during his lifetime. He was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal in 1960 for his poetic contribution. On July 22,1961 he was named the Poet laureate of Vermont. He was the Poetry Consultant to the Library of Congress (1958-1959). He recited his poem “Gift Outright” at the inauguration of President John F. Kennedy in 1961. He served as Poet in Residence at Middlebury College, Harvard University (1939-1943); at Dartmouth College (1943-1949), at Amherst College, the University of Michigan (1949-1963), at Columbia University and at Yale University. Frost was the Founder of the Bread Loaf School and Conference of English at Middlebury College. John F. Kennedy complimented Robert frost that he “brought an unsparing instinct for reality to bear on the platitudes and pieties of society” and that “he laid out a vision for an America as much respected for its civilization as for its strength.”

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      6th May, 2021                                                  Somaseshu Gutala

HYMN TO RUDRA

Steatite seal found at Mohenjodaro

 

                 

        Queer, weird and unique Lord!

         Most powerful and terrific God !

         From all other gods you do stand apart;

         Purest divinity! None equals Thee not;

         Not robed in costly silks and muslins thin

         You strangely dress yourself in tiger’s skin;

         No diamond coronet with sparkling shine

         You surpass all with cool moon-crown divine;

         No craze for fragrant flowers like jasmine and rose

        Cool hissing coiled soft serpent-wreaths you chose;

         No perfumed oils and scented sandal splash

         You smear your body with white holy ash;

         Not hankering after worlds with heavenly glow

         You are content to dwell in hills covered with snow;

         No craze for bright-lit pleasure gardens trim

         You chose to stay with ghosts in graveyards grim;

         While others dance with celestial dames with cheer

         You sport with weird fiends and ghouls sans fear;

         You don’t require costly gifts and rituals grand

          A little water enough, no precious things you demand;

         While others enjoy tasty ambrosial dish

         You beg with a bowl to grant devotees, their wish;

         While others flaunt themselves with diamonds and gold

         A garland of grinning skulls around your neck you hold

        While others craved for gifts from milky ocean white

         You drank dire poison to save worlds from plight;

         No royal elephant or steed as mount you decide

         A sturdy snow-white bull you prefer to ride;

         While others worship Thy mysterious phallic form

        On whom you meditate so deep and calm?

         Your dreamy eyes show depths of bliss supreme

         Beyond all powers divine as sages deem;

         Thy ineffable mystic origin none can trace

         Though gods tried to explore in many ways;

         To grace Thy devotees you took Linga form

         Quelling all fears appearing  serene and calm      

         Brahma’s pride subdued by Thy trident keen

         When he considered Thee as worthless and mean;

         Thy flaming eye reduced the God of love to dust

          You rise above all gross passions and lust;

          You purged him of his egoistic pride and charm

          Resurrecting him with a more graceful form;

          The daughter of Himavanth did penance great

           Facing ordeals to win Thy love and be Thy mate;

           All saints and gods admired her penance intense

           Her unprecedented dedication immense.

           Your matted locks restrained Ganga’s turbulent force

           By Thy holy touch, subdued to earth she flows;      

           Though demons deified Thee with selfish greed

           They perished in pride and destructive deeds;

            What awful weapons Lord! You bravely wield

           To slay dreadful demons, defiant and bold

           Along with their worlds of silver, iron and gold

           Burnt to ashes by Thy mountain-bow with serpent- string

           As gods and sages Thy glory with joy did sing;

           Too liberal and fount of boundless grace thou art

           With simple things devotees gratify Thy heart;

           A speck of selfless pure devotion will suffice

           To please Thee, Lord of gods and Yoga wise;

           Even brutes and birds got Thy spontaneous grace

           Even a hunter unlettered by his faithful ways;    

           Death incarnate! Conqueror of death!

           Soul-animating force of vital breath!   

           God of music and dire, dynamic dance!

           God of benign visage and Yogic trance!

           Thy rhythmic raging dance with vigorous speed

           Will make all worlds shudder like feeble reeds;

           Lord of infinite space, planets and starry spheres

           Lord of all herbs, weapons and forces far and near;

           Lord of Vedas, mantras and sacred sacrifice;

           Lord of all arts, sciences and vibrating skies

           Beyond our mortal dividing illusions

           Beyond Maya’s restless ruffling delusions;

           Restrain Thy powerful majestic bow and darts

           With benign peace dwell within our hearts;

           Hail Rudra! Unstring Thy bow, reveal Thy charm

          Withdraw Thy dreadful, terrific form.

          Hail Rudra! Guardian of holy places and streams

          Hail Rudra! Lord of immense wealth supreme

          Hail Rudra! Lord of metals, deserts and forests green

          Hail Rudra! Lord of weapons with keen-edged sheen;

          Hail Rudra! Thy name enough to fill our lives with bliss

          Hail Rudra! Bless us with good health, wealth and peace. 

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               22nd April, 2021                                     Somaseshu Gutala                    

 A Note on Rudra: Rudra is a minor deity along with Vishnu (a solar deity) in Vedic period. He was depicted as a fierce god who shoots arrows of death and disease. He was implored in Rigvedic hymns not to slay or injure in his wrath. He is identified with powerful storms, fire, lightning and wind. He is also depicted as great healer of maladies and as a lord of many remedies. Rudra gained prominence at the end of the Rigvedic period. In Svetswaropanishad Rudra is called Shiva who bestows auspicious things on devotees. He is the eliminator of evil forces and miseries. In Rudra Suktam, the various manifestations of Rudra are described in a very detailed way. He is called “Jagatham Pataye Namah” (Lord of all worlds). Pashunam Pataye Namah (Lord of all living beings), “Oushadinam Pataye Namah(Lord of all medicines) and as “Devaanaam Hridayebhyho Namah” (who dwells in the hearts of all gods). The phrase “salutations to Lord” (Pathaye Namaha) is repeatedly used to emphasize Rudra as the sole controller and ruling supreme power over all gods, worlds, creation and dissolution.

The chanting of Mahamrithyunjaya mantra gives spiritual wisdom and liberation from the cycle of birth and death. The Rudra Suktam is found in Krishna Yajurveda’s Taittiriya Samhita. It is a hymn to Lord Rudra giving a very detailed description about the universal presence of God and his vast powers and divine qualities. It comprises two parts; Namakam and Chamakam. The Namakam describes the names and qualities of Rudra and prays to Rudra to withdraw His terrific aspect and invokes for His benevolent form asking for the forgiveness of sins. The Chamakam is a prayer to Rudra requesting Him to grant both material and spiritual desires of the devotee. The earliest hymns to Rudra is the Shatarudriya found in the Yajurveda. 

Rudra Suktam is chanted while performing Abhishekam (pouring water) to Shiva Lingam. The cosmic dance of Shiva (called Tandava) shows both overwhelming spiritual ecstasy and also the wrath of destruction of evil forces leading rejuvenation.

 At Mohenjodaro the discovery of the steatite seal dating back to (2350 BC. -2000 B.C) with the figure of an ascetic in yogic pose was discovered. The figure has three heads with a horned head dress and is surrounded by animals. This figure is named as “Pashupati” and bears resemblance to Vedic Rudra regarded as the lord of animals, asceticism and yoga. Thus the worship of Rudra is seen right from very ancient civilizations.  

Ref :

 You drank dire poison --- during churning of milky sea by Gods and demons to procure amrit (nectar which gives immortality) and other precious things, poison emanated suddenly from the Vasuki serpent who was used as churning rope. All gods and demons ran away with fear dreading the destruction of the whole universe. Shiva came forward to drink the dreadful poison in order to save the all worlds from destruction. He did not swallow the poison but retained it in his throat as a result of which his throat became blue. This blue mark on his throat is a mark of his boundless mercy and supreme sacrifice.

 Brahma’s pride subdued – When Brahma arrogantly declared Himself as the supreme God and insulted Shiva, Lord Shiva cut off his head as a punishment.    

Thy flaming eye reduced the God of love to dust – Kamadev, god of sensual pleasures and love, was sent by gods to disturb Shiva’s penance so that he would be tempted by the beauty of Parvati (Sati reborn as Himavanth’s daughter) and marry her. When Kamadev shot arrows of love and disturbed Shiva, he became very angry and opened his third eye and Kamdev was reduced to ashes. After sometime he was resurrected by Shiva and Parvati when Rati (wife of Kamdev) did penance to please the Lord.

The daughter of Himavanth did penance great – Parvati, the daughter of the Himavanth, wished to please Lord Shiva by her austerities and penance and win his love. Though her parents tried dissuade her, she left her home and went to Tapovan to do severe penance for thousands of years without taking any food and water. The gods and sages were moved very much by her devotion and dedication. Shiva came in the guise of an old man and spoke harshly about Shiva’s ascetic way of life and his uncouth dress and way of life. But she became very angry and ordered him to leave the place. Shiva pleased by her unswerving faith at last accepted her as his spouse.

Your matted locks restrained Ganga’s pride--Baghirath did severe penance to bring Ganga from heaven to earth to get salvation for his ancestors who were burnt to ashes by Kapila’s fury. They disturbed Kapila’s penance thinking that he stole the sacrificial horse of their father, King Sagara. Sagara’s great-great grandson Baghirath pleased Ganga and asked her to come down to earth. But her turbulent flow would devastate the whole earth. Hence, he prayed to Lord Shiva to restrain her speed. Lord Shiva pleased with his devotion caught her in his matted locks to check her rapid flow.

To slay the dreadful demons defiant and bold – Tripuras (three cities) made of iron, silver and gold were constructed by the Asura architect, Mayasura. The three powerful demons and sons of Tarakasura, ( Tarakaksha,Vidyunamali, and Kamalksha) did great penance and got a boon from Brahma that their three cities made of iron, silver and gold should have the ability to move anywhere in the universe, and death should happen to them only when all their cities would come in conjunction only once in a thousand years, and when only a single arrow should be capable of destroying their worlds. With this wish granted, the three demons moved freely tormenting devas. When the gods prayed to Shiva and Vishnu, they assured them protection. Shiva asked the divine architect, Vishwakarma, to prepare a chariot made of gold. The earth became the chariot; the sun and moon became the wheels of the chariot; brahma was the charioteer; Mount Meru was the bow and Vishnu was the powerful arrow; and the divine serpent Vasuki became the bow-string. When the three forts conjoined after a gap of one thousand years, Shiva installed a powerful dart and burnt the three forts along with the three powerful demons.

Even brutes and birds got Thy boundless grace -- A spider (Sri), a snake(Kala) and an elephant(Hasti) worshipped Lord Shiva and attained salvation. A hunter (called Kannappa) worshipped Shiva and attained the grace of Kalahastiswara. The temple of Srikalahastiswara was built during the Pallava period in 5^th century and  the outer temple was constructed in 11^th century Rajendra Chola and later by Vijayanagara kings.

Death incarnate --- As the lord of dissolution, Shiva liberates souls from worldly cares in the guise of death. He is also the Lord of life and immortality.

Conqueror of Death – Shiva became angry when Yama, the lord of death, threw his noose around the neck of Markandeya who hugged the Linga tightly and prayed to Shiva. Shiva emerged from the Linga and killed Yama with his trident. He gave immortal life to Markandeya and revived Yama back to life who asked Shiva to pardon his faults.

Thy ineffable origin none can trace -- When Brahma and Vishnu argued about their superiority status, Shiva appeared before them in the form of a blazing pillar of fire. Brahma assumed the form of a swan to find out the topmost end of the Shiva Lingam. Vishnu went down the earth in the form of a boar to find out the bottom of the Shiva Lingam. Both failed in finding out the starting point and the top of the Shiva Lingam. Then they realized Shiva as the supreme godhead of the whole creation.

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STASIS

 

                            

                                                            

              

                                            

 1)  The reckless rushing stream with gushing speed

      Wandered jig-jag losing his own control

      Through ups and downs with selfish pride and greed

      Losing himself in wayward ways with no clear goal

      Through many curves and twists with rapid speed

      Through marshy ground infested with mossy weeds

      At last, with all his force drained out to fill

      A stagnant pool exhausted and death-still.

 

2)  Proud of his tall majestic height and size

     Covered with dense green branches and leaves

     With gigantic height into the sky the tree doth rise

     Gloating with pride to touch the stars he perceives

     Blind to the source of strength he sucks from the ground

     The coolest nourishing springs that make no sound

     Buffeted by winds, lightning and battering rain

     Struck by lightning fell like Goliath by David slain.

 

3) That holy shrine which once seemed like heaven in sight

    Which once with sculptures and frescoes did shine

    With dazzling gems, flowers and twinkling lights

    With rhythmic sounds of music and dance divine   

    With columns and friezes fraught with intricate art

    With surging devotion filling every heart

    Now seen with broken idols and faded paintings pale

    Time-battered sculptures convey a tragic tale.

 

4) The lofty castles and palaces of royal pride and lust

    With many halls and chambers in so many rows

    With rich designs embossed with gold and marble busts

    Now lie in dust with weeds and nobody knows;

    Their tombs too lie untraced ruined by the foes

    On their graves no laurels, but wild grass grows;

    Their hope of eternalizing their status great

    Now lies inert, frozen in static state.

 

5) Youth and beauty vanish like dew on grass

    Even the wealth of Croesus melts like snow

    The craze for name and fame breaks up like glass

    Swelling power bursts like bubbles in ocean’s flow;      

    Though men strive to grasp at whatever cost    

    All their achievements will not forever last;

    Whatever we struggle to seize by selfish will

    At last ends in nothing; static and death-still.

 

6)  Our proud beginnings flourish forever not

     The flowers that blossom today will have to fade

     A grassy glade one day will be a desert hot;

     Our lives, a mixed fabric of light and shade;

     Though many bragged about their skills sublime

      They vanish soon in the torrential tide of time.

      Never build airy castles with egoistic thrill

      The stream of life turns silent and death-still.

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

      7th April, 2021                         Somaseshu Gutala  

  

Ref : Goliath by David slain – Goliath, a philistine giant was killed by David, a shepherd boy just by hurling a stone from  a sling.       

The wealth of Croesus -- King of Lydia renowned for his wealth.

 Stasis --- inactive or inert state. A stage in the cycle of creation.

 All worldly possessions flourish for some time and finally dissolve into passive state.

          

          

        

   

 

        

 

 

Our Hearty wishes

                      

                                                

          

  Though time moves on you ever remain the same

    Same gentle nature with same liberal mind

    Ever encouraging others, helpful and kind

    Working for others, not for wealth or fame

    Others’ faults you never try to find or blame

     In making others happy true joy you find;

     In fulfilling your duties, you never lag behind;

     To blend life with art seems your noble aim.

     Our hearty wishes to you we earnestly convey

     Be happy and peaceful wherever you stay.

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

(wishing you many happy returns of the day)

   24th March,  2021                         Somaseshu Gutala

THE TALE OF MR. HITLER

   

         

                                                                       

                                                            

                             ( I )

            

He is better known as Hitler than by his name

A rigid strict taskmaster, he earned much fame;

He maintained time as precise as a clock

He is too bold and defiant as a solid rock

To keep his dignity, he did not smile

Dressed in brown coat with tie in style

Not a moment of leisure did he permit

He did not tolerate any humor or wit

He earned name as a man of merit and grit

A terror and terrific scourge he seemed to lazy staff;

He treated them with scorn as worthless chaff;

No pitiful excuses did he entertain

He spurned them away with royal disdain;

No political pressure made him yield

He ruled his domain like Achilles in the field;

Though he moved in career like a rolling stone

He never lost his mettle or felt helpless lone;                     

Well-versed in rules and procedures due

He bluntly refused any deviations new;

Ever dedicated to his office routine

He maintained his office tidy and clean;

                         ( I I )

In spite of his firm stringent attitude

At heart he is not so unkind and crude;

To save his staff he strove as far as he could

To set right their flaws by their side he stood

He never acted foul or hit below their belt

In his bosom a lot of concern for them he felt

He reprimanded them with stinging style

He curbed their greedy acts with suppressed smile

He estimated his office prestige and name with care

Negligence and laxity, he did not spare;

                     ( I I I )

Yet power like riches at one place will not stay

One has to vacate one’s chair on one day;

Same thing happened to our officer wise

He has to retire from his seat—no surprise;

And once he left his esteemed seat

None greeted him; none came to meet;

Like a fish out of water he felt alone

He felt neglected like a wayside stone;

And yet to get his post-service gains

The fruits of his long career he had to strain

From pillar to post he moved many a time

So many hurdles without reason or rhyme

Came in his way his patience to test;

No more is he the lord, but a casual guest;

A wandering ex-officer hanging around

No sympathy or support he has found;

Like an old king he felt his kingdom lost

A ranting Lear caught in the stormy blast;

The place where he did reign like a mighty king

Now he limps like a bird with broken wing;

No stringent command could he roar

None bowed before him and opened the door;

With a sense of shame and gloom and sweating brow

He waited long with dragging steps too slow;

No more his powers can he exercise

His present feeble state he did realize;

He can’t impose his rigid rules and laws

He had to bear with others’ whims and flaws;

He had to satisfy their wishes and needs;

Who would defend him and defy their lawless deeds?

He had to move alone to get his pending dues

He had to find a way through puzzling clues.

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

       15th March, 2021                 Somaseshu Gutala

 Ref : Achilles in the field - A brave Greek warrior in Trojan war.

 Ranting Lear --- A legendary British king who was cheated

 by his flattering daughters and lost his kingdom.

 

 

 

 

 

I AM HERE !

 

                                      

1)       When my journey seems too weary and long

When problems in plenty seem to throng

When future seems too misty and bleak

When I feel exhausted, vexed and weak

Thy voice whispers, “I am here, why fear?”

 

2)       When my path is not so clear and sure

When my thoughts seem too hazy and obscure

When life’s puzzles seem too complex to solve

When and what way to take I can’t resolve

Thy voice whispers,” I am here, why fear?”

 

3)       When doubts assail my feeble, wavering mind

When earnest help and support I fail to find

When hurdles rise in life’s uncertain way

When gleaming hopes appear too far and grey

Thy voice whispers, “I am here, why fear?

 

4)       When my distracting mind leads me astray

Yielding to selfish ego and passions’ sway

Going out of the way with notions false

A victim to every tempting chance

Thy voice whispers, “I am here, why fear?” 

 

5)       When dearest bonds of kinship are lost

When life’s vessel tosses in oceans vast

When relationships turn sour and loose

When I find my way too difficult to choose

Thy voice whispers,” I am here, why fear?”

 

6)        When loads of praises and insults I got

When swollen with pride Thy help I forgot

When with dismal despair my heart is fraught

When I faltered in brutal passions caught

Thy voice whispers, “I am here, why fear?”

 

7)         When I struggle to be free from worldly hold

 When I struggle with ailments as I grow old

 When I struggle to seek thy holy feet

 When I struggle to feel Thy mercy sweet

 Thy voice whispers, “I am here, why fear?”

 

     8)           Whatever we deserve you give indeed

       All lives Thy mighty powers feed and lead

       In our joys and woes, you alone never leave

      Though your omnipresence we can’t perceive

      Thy voice whispers, “I am here, why fear?”

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

  2nd March, 2021                                     Somaseshu Gutala