Chosen To Be Beggars Poem by Ramesh Joshi

We have chosen to be beggars
Although seated on box of gold,
Unaware of worth concealed, sit
Crying beggarly before Almighty.

At temple, mosque and church,
Pray 'Duaa', wealth, wife children
beg, all in greed for gratification
doubly compounded commerce.

Nay, not heaven descend down,
Supply demand on gift conditioned,
the inner spirit bestows bounty by
prayers, if behoves thy sincerity.

Beggars have no choice, but accept,
without murmur what comes to lot,
'Seek thou gettest, knock it opens
pray, it's granted' crave, nothing comes.

The spirit, not corrupt nor corruptible,
granting boons for considered gifts,
gifts, not negotiable instruments, for
gratification, demand deep devotion.

Rituals, sacrifices, wishful offerings,
symbolic gestures, not at others cost,
pleasing to please oneself with evil
designs in the name of charity of self.