A Prayer To God Poem by Dr Tapan Kumar Pradhan

        Hails to thee, Lord!

In your praise we offered a thousand oblations
broke a hundred coconuts, and offered prayers
in quiet we fasted, chanted countless carols
        in your praise, Lord!


We asked for a son, you gave us billions!
We asked for knowledge, great sceptics you made us
We asked for mercy, and from the wars
and floods and famines like a father you saved us,
        Great Lord!


In your glory we erected mandirs and mosques
In your honour we established a hundred religions
In your name we slaughtered all bloody blasphemers
infidel intellectuals who ever tried to make fuss,
        dear Lord!


With your blessings we created missiles to save us
With your blessings we became masters of universe
We conquered bird, beast, mountains, jungles
and created at will storms, clouds and deserts
        by your grace, Lord!


Whatever you gave us, you gave in bounties,
our bellies are full, Lord! now spare us please,
do not give us anymore
but take our all -
fecundity, depravity, meanness, squalor
avarice, lustfulness, the craving for more,
violence, suspiciousness - all we can offer -
take away our virility, our pride, our learning
take away all this, and oh yes everything,

        please Lord! !

        ******