A Child Is Born Free Of Mind Poem by Raj Arumugam

A Child Is Born Free Of Mind



a child is born free of mind
but is hardened into thought
and by the time one dies
most are fixed and screwed into
worlds of their making,
heavens of their fantasies:
so one thinks one’s an Indian, one a Chinese
or an American or British or Swedish
or French or Russian or German;
or one thinks one is a Christian or Muslim
or Jew or Hindu or Sikh or Catholic
or Doaist or Buddhist or Marxist or Communist
or even for that matter, an atheist…
…or whatever you will…
one finds a badge to pin proudly to one’s chest
and each identity becomes so strong
it becomes so real
it all comes into the question of right and wrong
of evil and good
and it falls into loud declamations
and my tribe is good, your tribe is evil
my brand is holy, your brand unholy…
and so it goes,
with all sorts of justifications
that beat sense out of all loyal adherents…
…and it squeezes humanity out of the human…
ah, and, yes,
the energy goes on into the afterlife
as Christians go into a Christian Heaven
and Hindus and Buddhists into various Lokas
and Muslims in their own Paradise
and so it goes on,
this Human Tragi-Comedy,
yes, yes, certainly – all created by the Almighty
who was created by your mind’s poverty
so that
a child is born free of mind
but is hardened into thought
and by the time one dies
most are fixed and screwed into
worlds of their making,
heavens of their fantasies

COMMENTS OF THE POEM

very true...humanity is squeezed and a labeled products we become.....

1 1 Reply
Catrina Heart 29 June 2009

a child is born free of mind but is hardened into thought and by the time one dies most are fixed and screwed into worlds of their making, heavens of their fantasies ------- well pointed out and finely delivered one's views in life....10/10

1 1 Reply
Duh Huh 04 July 2009

Sadly this is so true Raj. We must begin to raise our children outside the box if we are ever to come together as human beings. Thank you so much for sharing this enlightening poem :)

1 1 Reply
Patti Masterman 11 July 2009

'fixed and screwed into worlds of their making' etc, is such a marvelous description of it. Children are so pliant and flexible just like their minds, but the old are stiffened and grizzled and immobile, as the mind must mirror the physical. Terrific thoughts here you've captured.

1 1 Reply
Rajaram Ramachandran 03 September 2009

An excellent poem. When a child is born, it has no pride or prejudice. It develops all sorts ego and pride when it grows up and identifies itself to its religion, caste, creed, race, country, state etc. etc.

1 1 Reply
Edward Kofi Louis 22 June 2016

It becomes so real! ! But, we are all human beings. Nice work.

1 1 Reply
Wahab Abdul 28 November 2012

a powerful poem, very strong in content..i like it..

1 2 Reply

yes, yes, certainly – all created by the Almighty who was created by your mind’s poverty. Quite unique thought..Well written! !

1 2 Reply
Rajbarath KR 09 March 2010

very good poem... well thought... i would like to share a quote of mine with you.. 'as children we are free in world's cage as adults we are caged in a free world! ! '

1 2 Reply
Sally Plumb Plumb 09 March 2010

Sometimes I think I'm a red indian. It's too many westerns when I was a kid caused it.

1 1 Reply
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