The Self Poem by Purnima Arha

Standing amidst the sorrows
the darkness of the wild forests
a ray of hope held my hand
guiding me to the light
taking me to the luminous land

That 'land' had a glamour of its own
Each being there had a Halo
for me it was so unknown
they had no huge infinite selfs
Identity for them was love and oneness

What would i not give to stay there?
I was asked to give up the self
that was the 'land' of selfless beings
the question made me dumb
how could they ask for such a thing?

This Humanity taught me
for the whole of my life
To preserve the self,
'this belongs to me, that is mine'
From people to things
All the selfish feelings
Kept in a shrine

The self held too strong to me
I could not let it go off me
Could i unlearn all the lessons,
taught to me by the world?
In just one moment

Eventually the offer was declined
After this.. I was condemned
From the serene, holy 'land'
Thrown back to where
I belonged

Now, here i am again
standing amidst the sorrows
because this is what
the world is meant for
The darkness surrounding my heart
The only ray of hope
left my hand
leaving me helpless
In the sea which is Endless.