Two Hearts Poem by santhana louis

We had been on a religious tour
10 churches - one day - ten buses
6 am sharp - no excuses and no refunds
to nearby centres within 60 km radius
enthusiastic devotees, journey started
with rosary, prayers, singing by the spiritual explorers

zeal and fervor lasted for first four stations
a few lamented, breakfast served was tasteless
and water was dirty at that remote centre
someone shouting for a change in the route map
to have briyani for lunch and thereafter a small nap

unmindful, buses proceeded as per the pre-plan
touching the churches as originally chartered
we, the old ones, never had any complaints
youth and couples were seem to have been disappointed
at the continuing soul-saving lecture, sermon at every juncture

I just consoled my youthful, restless friend, sitting besides
to try this day as an virtual experiment - to live
without friends, office, newspaper, cell, pan, cigar and tv
to help realize oneself through penance and sacrifice

yet, exclusively connected to His Master's Voice, at least
for, purification of inner mind was much more important
as no electronic device invented to deliver peace & forgiveness

he stared at me in anger and disgust, & in irritation, he told
that he embarked on tour at his girl-friend's instance
she was strapped in another bus on seat allocation
he thought of finally proposing to her today -

but, she seem to have changed her mind - at last,
she had made a firm resolve to become a missionary nun -
with Little Sisters of the Poor, and to go North East,
IN SHEER EFFECT OF THE SERMONS HEARD THIS D' DAY.



I was really in sympathy with the poor fellow
who had to return home with a broken arrow
the success of this spiritual tour was ‘transformation'
one receptive heart was won over, another was bowled over

Buses returned back by 10.30 pm, to a cup of hot Taj tea,
Rev. Father, was asking the groups how was the journey
many acknowledged positive impact, for possible refinements
I said to myself that, one tender soul was salvaged for yeoman service.

Miracles thus happen in ordinary ways
Changing the course of life, in beautiful ways

Louis Santhana