An ode to a nameless bird

On these occasions
in loneliness and sadness
when i am all by myself
having traveled from god alone knows
where, and going to now, i don't know
where, i am left hurt, bruised and broken.

I know, the events
have not been all about me,
i have been blessed,
in many ways than i would have
not imagined and yet
somewhere within me
the fact that i deserved
better, if not as a matter of my skills
but just as a matter of a person

makes me wonder
if there is at all
on this earth,
be it snow or rain,
day or darkness,
any more value of being
good, being true, being honest
and caring for others..

values, maa and pa
taught me while growing up
but now it seems they have
all been reconciled into the
unknown dust, in that archive
of a lofty library..

Here's to life, love, and longing then..
and also to that unknown speckle of dust
take care, my good friend
i will see you again
in some other world,
in some other life,
as some other living being perhaps..

A bird maybe?
Nonchalant about boundaries
Ignorant about politics
Reverent only to innocence
Faithful only to your wings..

Under which i will hide
that dust, which in this life
maa and pa, old souls,
passed on to me..

now am old too..
And time has passed by in a mellow whisker.

from Ithaca, to Ithaca

--
I know,
as the clock ticks away
and the seconds pass on
out there in the dark gorges of Cayuga
Nothing will happen.

And even it will,
how might it really change
the lives of many displaced
centuries back by men of spears
with no concern for tears

And yet, i yearn,
crossing through those hills
into an old tower, sitting atop
passionately hoping,
that perhaps..

Cayuga is listening
and the gorges will open up
and take me on
as i continue my journey
from Ithaca to Ithaca..
beyond your silent tears.
--

to cornell, ithaca on a sunny wintry morning...

aaj jemon kore
emni kore chao go

aaj haoa jemon patay patay
mormoriya, bon ke kandaay

temni amaar, buk er, majhe
kandiya..kaandaao go...

-kobiguru robindronath thakur.