NAMITA RANI PANDA

NAMITA RANI PANDA

I'M MY OWN SUN

The sun may rise or set

I will sail my life boat with no regret

The river of life maybe calm or violent

But with my oar of hope no chance of defeat

The sail of my boat is my strong mind

that can never be torn by the strongest wind

I can decide my own direction

No current can ever change my destination

No adversity can ever eclipse my ambition

As I myself is a golden ever shining sun!

INTERSTICES

Love peeps naturally

like the soothing sunshine

That filters through the ever flexible interstices of the arching trees,

Love springs spontaneously

like the sprightly spring

That jumps out of the interstices of the stubborn hill,

Love sprouts automatically

like the seed blown by the wind and buried under the ground

that peeps its head through the interstices between the soil particles

Love penetrates into the heart naturally

like the rain fallen from heaven

that percolates into the core through the interstices in between solid rocks/ soil particles

Love fills the interstices in the rocky garden of our lives

With charming little plants

Ladden with colourful lovely flowers

That we can't but love and adore

THE BANYAN TREE

The banyan tree that stands upright in my garden

With a green crown like a queen

Standing steadfast, splendid and stronger

Like me rooted firmly to the soil

With so many aerial prop roots

As I'm rooted to my family and friends

In spite of limitless trials and turmoil

I too am the queen of my kingdom

Though my feet, at every step, are chained with irrational customs and traditions.

The leaves, large, leathery, glossy and green

The young ones with a reddish tinge

Inhale tirelessly the breezy wind,

absorbs carbon dioxide and releases oxygen,

fan the tired travellers and quench others' hunger

My each moment and every ounce of strength

I spent and burn for their comfort and complement

absorb pain and scatter pleasure.

The tree bears without any complaint

The scorching summer, chilly winter and heavy shower

But keeps ever ready for others a cool shady bower

People pelt stones at it with selfish intention

But it gifts them with figs and showers affection

In stress and strain I remain cool and stubborn

And keep smiling in spite of unbearable pain

Both blame and praise are my priceless gain

As their comfort is my life's sole aim.

We both know our freedom and limitations

We never stretch arms to touch the sky

We know it's too vast and high

We are born to live and die for others

To give only with no expectations is our only pleasure

So at night we silently look at the twinkling stars

To summon strength to scatter selflessly rays of love forever

NAMITA RANI PANDA

Mrs NAMITA RANI PANDA is a poet, story writer and translator from Sambalpur district of Odisha, India. She is Vice-Principal of Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, Cuttack under the Ministry of HRD, Deptt. of School Education and Literacy , Govt. of Indi, now entrusted with the responsibility of Principal in JNV Bijapur, Chhatishgarh. Her two published Anthologies of poems are Blue Butterflies and Rippling Feelings. Her poems are highly acclaimed in many National and International magazines and journals. Her signature words are love and optimism.The main themes of her concerns are social injustices, love and other issues related to life. She is an active member of Cosmic Crew, a literary group of women poets in Odisha working with the motto “My pen for the world.”