“Father, why don’t you have a thumb
on your right hand?” Out of curiosity
the little child asked one day.
“It was offered to my God, son. That’s why
I miss that finger, that’s all.”
“Offered to God?
What kind of God was he to ask for your thumb?
Surely, He must be a very cruel one. Didn’t you feel
anything as you gave it away, Father?”
“You shouldn’t speak like that, son. God, after all, is God.”
“True, father, true. God didn’t ask for your life
instead of your finger. I must thank Him.
Maybe, your God is rather a good God.”
How shall I tell this child that
I didn’t give just my thumb but the whole of me?
Even to this day I haven’t understood
how much I gave or how much I retained.
[Translated from by O.L. Nagabhushana Swamy]
Not only right hand THUMB But also whole LIFE of father was sacrificed to GOD! CHILDLIKE mind always becomes CURIOUS and asks to know the REALITY of sole offerings but there has NO ANSWER in oldie without sigh feelings! ! ! ! !
Congratulations being chosen as The Modern Poem Of The Day! I am happy too
A most beautiful poem, loveliest worded and so true.5 Full Stars for this very truthful poem.In poems poetsb cahn create all the questions the poets does not understand. Very intelligently written and for us readers a very thought-provoking poem, but very intelligently put.
so lovely poem sir.. beautifully done.. clear...10 So many questions Friday, July 3,2020 Some of the question must remain unanswered As no satisfactory explanation can be offered It has universal acceptance And one should avoid it at once Hasmukh Mehta
How shall I tell this child that I didn’t give just my thumb but the whole of me? Even to this day I haven’t understood how much I gave or how much I retained. very good poem-. tony
The story inscribed in this poem has an outstanding conceptualization. Thanks and congratulations for being selected this poem as the modern poem of the poem of the day.
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
Sacrifice! ! ! With the muse of mankind on earth; Able to live. Thanks for sharing this poem with us.