He played around like
a child lost in serenade
the game of life
besotted women
captivated in his magic
his flute impelling devils
music filled heavens
as his lips spoke and smirked
imparting wisdom to kings
creating and destroying
universe's cycle, heaven's wars in
beguiling charm

***

in lonely salvation
his mind wept
as he felt in recondite soul
the world’s pain
the beggar, the leper, the holy
the crowded multitude
kissing his feet, his palm, his fingers
the saffron wrapped in time
and clothed emaciated
bone and skin as he lay
under the banyan tree
whispering truth

***

then in time were the eyes
of his sufferer’s being
nailed thrones he was to bear
thorns and whips dribbled
darkened drops of blood
in his breast
the healer of pain
inhaled human torment
endured strength of all’s frailty
and his eyes closed in tears
body convulsed on wooded intersection
forgiving wisdom

***

then he heard the voice within
invocation followed the power
no image of a being
could quench his soul
the good and bad were white and clear
salvation is not peace
but living in struggle
in the womb of the millions
his hope blossomed
and they raise their arms
to his rendition, to this day
to pages of passion's confession

***

divergent roads yet
one he was in a mission
transversed in pain
in pleasure in place
in time to chant
the tunes of heaven’s gates
unfolded for the ones who see
and ones who reach beyond
in unison he cries in pain
lonesome and lost
at the blood that blinds
and closes paradise spire.

***

 

 

September 2007
Copyright Saberi Roy, 2007