PRETENSE

 

PRETENSE

 

Laughing silently today in solitude,

Alone standing on the sea beach,

Never betrays blue sea or sky above,

No betrayal, I found circling birds,

Floating clouds silently truly visible,

Beautiful, orange color, aura indicates,

Sun rising in the east truth glorious,

Inconspicuous a new dawn breaking,

Eons, unfailingly repeating in time,

Reclined on sand beach, bathe in sunlight,

Dreaming nature canvas changing,

Green hills, forest, ravine, fertile soil,

The animal kingdom, lakes, birds nesting,

Noisy, I once found life overjoyed,

The precious mirth spring visible,

Aroma acutely intoxicates heart,

Wildflowers in blossoms, creepers,

Intertwine tall trees, painting colorful,

Ah… Rewind my thoughts, sea breeze,

Salty wet limbs experience ethereal,

Exist eternal truth never betrays,

Sustains universe human life co-exist,

By nature heart is pure transcendental,

The face of a child, innocent and pure,

Smile tiny soul exhibits as if divine,

Simple, believing spirit invites happily,

Fertile mind, mine, went deeper,

Churning memories of complex life,

Laughed again, winking, admitted,

Admitted to my soul, not a child,

Learned, learned man book worm,

Learned about brutal war annihilations,

Read about mass graves, gun booming,

Kills humans silently from behind,

Steal other's gold, luxury proudly,

Built castles world heritage reputed,

No more monarchs, sultans, Mughal,

Silently merges with soil or in a grave,

The horse, elephants, swords, spears,

Vanished, new world free, civilized,

Astonished, I was tearful, a life missed,

Spoiled in looting pleasure, gold,

Deceived how many listless in life,

From young days to twilight lied,

Lied to own children, better half,

Lied to close friends, teachers,

Lied to own parents simple believing,

Little felt guilty, sought my comfort,

Sheepishly slipped out of duty,

Uncanny con, I forgot to care, service,

The love I know very well, my temptations,

Fulfilled to my capacity, now failing,

Caught by family, parents, friends,

Silently observing me caring, loving,

Never embarrassing praying for me,

Wishing my early recovery, sick,

My children wife serving watchful,

I feared their presence, feared my world,

Fled from my world now at a beach,

Whitened black hairs, receding,

Sobbing mind, heart rebukes harshly,

Why you are a crying ghost, lurks lust,

No way limbs can satiate you fool,

Realize at least your pretense,

Blunder surrender to your soul,

An immortal bird in a dungeon will be freed,

Your pretense evaporated.

 

@ Bijayananda Mishra