That moment was the most trying of his life
As on padded feet in the darkness of the night
He stole a peek at his beloved infant and wife.
What perfect bliss! What a mesmeric sight!
Surrounded by flowers slept his honor and pride,
His angelic baby curled peacefully by her side.
His heart bled, a longing tremor ran down his sleeve,
Oh, he yearned to hold the babe one last time to his breast!
But he steeled his nerves afraid he might never leave
If his wife awoke, with her tears his resolve she would wrest.
From that blessed chamber wordlessly he tore himself away -
Siddharth, he knew, was ordained for the wanderer's way.
From prince to pauper in one decisive stroke he went
Renouncing all wealth, crown, position, rank and fame
Long, pensive years in deep meditation he spent,
Burnt his karma in wisdom's fire and bore a new name
Prince Siddharth transformed into Lord Gautama
incarnation of love and peace, the benign Buddha.
