Thoughts On Eternity Poem by RAJ NANDY

THOUGHTS ON ETERNITY

ETERNITY as a concept became so incom-
prehensible,
With infinite dimensions and facets
unfathomable;
It finally became exasperated with it's own
immensity!
And wanted to be measured, defined and
quantified,
And given a separate Identity!
Being lamentably unhapphy with its own
anonymity,
Waiting to be appreciated and embraced by
all humanity!
Became ready to even shed its perplexing
garb of infinity!
Therefore humans in sympathy created a
graduated scale, -
Of hours, minutes and seconds to tell;
And calendar months with dates and years,
In a brave attempt to measure its infinite
depths and spheres!
Giving it a fresh re-birth on our finite scale,
To coexist with us in a user friendly mode
and prevail!
And to be referred and remembered all the
while,
Re-christened it with the name of ' Time '!
Scientists gave it the status of fourth dimension,
And with it measured all things in motion!
While the poets and philosophers eulogised;
Forever praising its crystal dew dropp like moments,
in all sincerity!
That float on the tranquil ocean of infinity;
Thus we learnt to embrace Eternity!

But at times I wonder what is there in a name?
Call it Eternity, Infinity or Time,
They are all the illusory, and all are the same!
Though Eternity as a concept is perhaps true;
But when my mind enters its portals, it can
never get through!
O Eternity, you shall ever remain as a sweet,
tantalising, ticklish and teasing thought;
You remain in my mind, and yet you are not!

-Raj Nandy
New Delhi
11 May 08