PETALS IN PRAYER—STEP 1  ( ON THE FIRST STEP )AGAIN

Petals that bled from wounds inflicted all over

from slings of hate, unconcern, jealousy and anger

wallow long in dark under night’s  thin cover

to wilt and shiver,

in my soul’s pocket under worries’ hot fever

as again I return to the first step after lisping a short prayer .

Putting the sacred dust to my fore head

I kneel to my lord praying for His kind pull

across time and space ,

when I listen to the cry of wounded shells on the nearby shore,

of turtles’ silent anguish with their breaths melting

into deathly cuddle of sands bleeding

under shadow of sentient Casuarinas whispering

about agony of thwarted love , about the noise of souls sinking

into dangerous quicksands of promises

made under the shade of those once- upon- a- time- erotic- trees,

about the pangs of hunger in the womb of  fishermen’s cottages

about the anguish of beggars on their daily whining carriages.

Let me hold my breath before I try putting my next step,

let me be poised in my mind and steadfastly hold on to my prayer

for I don’t walk  just a simple walk to my lord’s door with

offer of any drooping or artificial flower.

O lord, revive my crumpled flower back to its freshness

heal my distress to some extent so that I  glide to the next step

and achieve in my meditative journey somewhat  a little success .

@ copy right : saroj k. padhi 22/02/15