Contrition

by Padmaja Iyengar-Paddy

I see everywhere blood
Flowing about like a flood.
Oh Kalinga! My heart for thee does weep
Thy ghastly sight will never let me sleep…!

Mighty Kalinga! Lie thee there
In a state of turmoil and ruin.
My heart for thee does weep
Thy ghastly sight has taken away my sleep…!

My name shall be remembered age after age
As of the one, who in a fit of rage,
Lost his head;
Sought bloodshed...

I know not how to repent
But here on, my life shall be spent,
In teaching mankind tolerance,
Preaching and practising nonviolence.

I shall devote all my life
In removing sorrow and strife.
Upon this earth there shall be,
No man poor or unhappy...

Women will no more sigh.
Children will no more cry.
I shall not hurt even a fly
From this day till I die...

Man will now live in peace and cheer
For he shall no more fear
Ashoka, the violent..!
Ashoka, the tyrant..!

08-Oct-2013

More By : Padmaja Iyengar-Paddy

Views: 1527 Comments: 6

Comments on this Poem

Thanks Ru.

Padmaja Iyengar
27-Oct-2013 11:39 AM

I agree with Pili Publu Mam..very nicely written too..

Rupradha
27-Oct-2013 05:25 AM

Thanks a ton Mohini for your positive feedback.

Padmaja Iyengar
19-Oct-2013 13:45 PM

Padmaja powerful poem ..Loved the way the poem engaged me leaving its impact... Very innovative ways used.. ..effective imagery used.. Thanks for sharing ..

Mohini Gurav
19-Oct-2013 07:16 AM

Thanks Pili Pubul, for adding your valuable insight to this poem.

Padmaja Iyengar
18-Oct-2013 23:56 PM

An interesting poem, powerful imagery about loosing control resorting to violence. Not an easy thing to change. But the contrition is real.... At the moment.

pilipubul
18-Oct-2013 08:34 AM