Starlit sky on a no-moon day
Like my dirty sheet full of holes.
Full moon surrounded by cloudless stars
Looks like a rupee coin they throw me
On the ground full of clods and pebbles.
O Sun God, I too welcome you
For I get the alms only by the day.
Prithee, don’t be so fierce and blazing
And evaporate the little life left in me.
What, you Lotus Damozel!
Oh you’re laughing at me?
And you radiantly beam:
“How cool is my sun lover!”
You are fortunate, oh rich lady:
Even after quaffing all the elixir
You are neck deep in it.
Thank you, my dear
Tree
You’ve been allowing me
Under your canopy.
I hang my patched-up bag
Over your bough.
When it’s cold
I hug your broad trunk
And feel your comforting warmth.
When I lie down, your withered leaves
Make me a cosy bed.
Seeing you I’m green with envy.
Rain or no rain,
A pail of water or not -
You never grumble or beg.
You suck whatever little water
At your roots lingers;
Sniff in the moist droplets
Hanging in the air;
Make and feed on your own food
Yet stand erect Solid, stolid, stoic
With self-respect.
Oh, how I wish I learnt
Your simple and mysterious art
Of dignified, selfless, unobtrusive survival!
