Journey to Eternity
Premananda Panda
They see me from the golden shore
I am sailing across the crimson horizon
Only a dot and dark bar that they see
(which would turn creamy sucking dewy rays)
And sing, dance, smile and embrace each other
Till someone among the dancers turn cold and silent;
They make fire and bid to the departed farewell
Then wait anxiously for my arrival.
As my boat reaches the shore, what wonder!
I take the form of a babe, bathed in memory dew
A bunch of tender rosy petals shining;
They take me in their arms, wash
Make fine and massage till I cry aloud
They sing, dance, offer sweets and move forward.
I begin to grow like a sapling season by season
To a time when I have dreams of my own.
To invite golden Orioles and nightingales to my branches
One day I discover I am burdened with flowers and fruits.
O, what a feeling! Only to vanish in a dark cloudy night
When a stormy wind topples me down on the slushy soil.
O’ then, I assume the form of a flame that moves
To the bout still afloat at the shaky shore.
The boatman invisible sails across the hary tides
To the far off horizon where we all disappear.
*
Alexander’s Mother
Alexander had a great affection for his mother Olympius. He used to send costly presents to her, when he was away on military campaigns. She used to interfere in administration. His governor Antipater complained against her frequent interference in state matters. Reading his letters, Alexander simply remarked “Antipater does not know that a single tear from my mother is able to beat out six hundred of his letters.”