Valmiki(3) Poem by Binayakumar Mohanty

O' Poet!
Agni, the fire
was you
the uncontrolled one.

Grown up well
in the sun shine
in the river bank
body and soul
both ablaze always.

Ablution and sacrifices
browned your shoulder and arms.

From your father, the great sage
you learnt
contemplation and meditation, though
dreams and thoughts
restless
kept burning inside you.

your fathers admirable speech and action
path for salvation
seemed a detour, an error
to you
like smoke
emerging from
moist fuel wood.

Your thirst was your sorrow.

Flesh and bone
appeared more real
than mind and soul.

Was it your fault?
O' dear poet
Why so repentance!
why a penance!