Step by Step
POETRY FORMAT, 26 Oct 2020
Dr. Ravi P. Bhatia – TRANSCEND Media Service
25 Oct 2020 – Today is Vijay Dashmi or Dashehra symbolising victory of Good over Evil on the return of Lord Ram from his exile. I am feeling lonely. So I write this small poem.***********************
Getting born in Lahore in undivided India
Becoming homeless in Lahore Pakistan
Coming from Pakistan in 1947 on bullock cart
No home, learning begging for food as an art
Moving from Moga to Delhi the following year
Again homeless, move from one hutment to another
Get admission in a reputed Christian school
Without knowing a word of any English carol
Move to Karol Bagh, a new locality
Making friends, what a kind fraternity
Father buys me a beautiful new bicycle
School distance no problem on my cycle
Learn how to play harmonium
Play some beautiful tunes on them
Feel happy even without any opium
Makes the day pass away easily
Even with no Refrigerator, Radio or TV
Today more than half a century later
With TV and all the electric gadgetry
And a wife who makes tea once a day
but listens to religious gospels all day
Time hangs heavy on one’s soul
Look out before one falls into a hole
So write your obituary about your life’s role
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Dr Ravi P Bhatia is a member of the TRANSCEND Network for Peace Development Environment, an educationist, Gandhian scholar and peace researcher. Retired professor, Delhi University. His new book, A Garland of Ideas—Gandhian, Religious, Educational, Environmental was published recently in Delhi. ravipbhatia@gmail.com
Tags: Poetry
This article originally appeared on Transcend Media Service (TMS) on 26 Oct 2020.
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Don’t write your obituary yet, Mr. Bhatia!
But, for your sake, and the rest of us, do keep writing your life and poems!
Thanks– GSC
Thank you so much Gary for your kind words
In fact I keep busy by writing articles and poems in English for TMS
Write Hindi poems also for myself and audiences in India
May I ask you where are you located and what is your profession?
Glad to chit-chat with you here, Ravi.
I’m in the “heart of the beast”–Washington, D.C..
Presently, I’m a writer, truth-seeker, celebrant of natural beauty, and beauty within us and beauty of deeds.
Past “professions” include teaching (in public schools, prisons and Japanese and US universities), and stints as a grape-picker in Australia and a gas station attendant in Atlanta, Georgia.
BTW, I’ve been a fan of Gandhi’s since my teen years.
Thank you for all the good work you do–
Gary C.