ODE TO A PEN

R. R. Menon

Never, never leave your hold

of my hand, even if others do.

This might, sound like an order cold,

but is truly a heart-felt request too.

Empires abort in the womb of time,

but the sway of your words has a sublime

spread and influence without which

none knows the ways of the power-witch.

A tear-drop from your lovely eyes

could create, sustain or destroy

and reverse the process over

centuries with Trinity’s awesome power.

In your imagination’s brilliant fire,

feelings, thoughts and emotions entire

turn out many delectable dishes

catering to varied tastes and wishes.

Riding on paper’s white horse

and viewing the blue sky’s race-course,

you wager a deep dip into the heart

and turn out prize-pictures that outsmart.

The ether-blossoms you conjure up

Sprinkle scents at every step.

And everywhere the people smell

a fresh fragrance that none can quell.

A drop of ink in your able hand

has power that atoms command;

one and the same is the force

that shapes or destroys the land

and creates the forms and the course

the devotees follow with your magic wand.

(A free translation into English by Dr. R. Rabindranath Menon from Dr. K. Muddanna’s original Kannada poem with the latter’s written approval.)

Back