Go, Stand Atop A Mountain Top! Happy New Year - 2019. Poem by Bernedita Rosinha Pinto

Go, stand atop the mountain top
or go stand atop a tree-top;
go look from above
at the world below, passing by
or go look out, from that long train
rushing fast over the rail-tracks
taking people from north to south,
east to west, right to left, left to right,
swaying those people so carelessly
back and forth and vice-versa.

As all in the pursuit of attainment, run
until to the apex of success
their efforts culminate,
winners keep winning big
while achievers feel equality
in their own way
though each one
by his own level of struggles
competes to reach ahead;
as some keep using mind
while some keep using body.

By physical and mental strength
their direction gets separated from initiative
their road gets separated from pavement
some keep moving fast and rough
some keep walking slow enjoying the breeze
those who live by their wit, feel higher elation
those who work by their feet and hands feel weary
as they think they have built a fortress
even if they have built a fireplace.

Man as a labourer, King as a treasurer
they can never know the difference
between each other's lifestyle
as one exists by hardships
and the other by luxuries dances;
and as years keep changing circumstances
love and contentment makes a storm
that never allows a connection
of hearts, minds and status
between the have and the have-nots.

Yet life keeps showing the light
stars keep shining at night
the moon, the galaxy though silent
permits each man to see thro' the darkness
and seize opportunities;
it is only man himself who has to value
his peace over pleasures, his soul over sins;
so stand atop the mountain-top
or stand atop the tree-top and think;
then, choose what you want to do
what you want to be, happy or sad
crazy or mad, smiling or bad.

Time is at your feet today,
tomorrow will vanish again
but what you do today
how you do, will be your contribution
to your own happiness;
so stand atop a mountain-top
and ask yourself aloud
what was your contribution to others
and what was their contribution to your life;
was it so meagre or was it quite large
was it worthy or was it futile
was it acceptable or was it forgettable,
stand atop the tree-top
or stand atop the mountain
and let the answer, echo back in your ears!