BHISMA UPRETI

 

A Poem's Radiance

 

Deep into the night at 2 a.m.

suddenly sleep deserted me.

Up I rose to switch on lights

and look around the room.

All was as it should be.

Buried under the quilt

sleep too was asleep abed.

 

But the radiance that I sought

it was not this light.

Oh! what was it exactly?

 

Ruminating did I sit awhile

then in the library next room.                                         

A copy and pen did I pick.

Beheld words dancing around

and felt satiated.

 

Radiance of a poem is

akin to the touch of Divinity.

 

Arrogance And God

 

'I myself am God'

The day he proclaimed his divine identity

God left his being.

 

A few days carrying his arrogant burden

weary became he 

Collapsing languidly on the wayside 

Placed his encumbrance down 

 

All alone

was he wandering about

eclipsed by imperfections,

to replenish the emptiness within 

seeks he a Divine light 

Swear not

 

Bhisma Upreti

 

Swear not in such a way, rebuke not

oh like rotten fallen fruits

serve not hatred and abuse

 

You saw the devil hidden within

embroiled you were in a momentary storm

But God too dwells inside

yet discerned you not His humility and elation within

 

Swearing at the other                                      

abuse you the blessed Divinity in him too         

victory lies in disseminating your love

and in the awakened compassion in you.

 

BHISMA UPRETI

 

BHISMA UPRETI is a Nepali poet, essayist, translator and novelist of high repute. He holds Masters Degree in Economics from the University of Southampton, UK and Masters degree in Economics and Nepali language and literature from Tribhuvan University, Nepal.  His 8 books of poetry, 12 books of essays/travels and one Novel have been published. His books have been published in English, Sinhala, Hindi, Serbian, Japanese, Farsi and Turkish. Besides, his works have been published in Slovenian, Japanese, Cambodian, Russian, Macedonian, Tamil, Kannada, Malay, Chinese and Arabic languages in various anthologies, international literary journals and magazines. A Gold medalist of National Poetry Festival organized by Nepal Academy, Upreti is also recipient of prestigious awards like SAARC Literature Award, Gopal Prasad Rimal Rastriya Kavya Puraskar, Uttam Shanti Puraskar, Shankar Lamichhane Youth Essay Award and many more. Life member of Nepal Writers Society, Upreti currently, is secretary of PEN Nepal, A Nepalese Center of PEN Intern