PANKAJAM KOTTARATH

 

 

Dreams And Peace

 

(Without peace all other dreams vanish and are reduced to ashes-Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru)

 

We are not alone the notion of a visual perception

But beings with thoughts, hopes,

wishes, ambitions and dreams

beyond mirror reflections, the carriers of truth

 

I dream of a world where love is mutual,

where hatemongers weave no plans to disturb peace

I dream of a world free from commotion

and quietude exists in each molecule of the sphere.

 

A state of repose and relaxation reign all over.

Tranquil are the environs, people affable,

ambience halcyon

no romping, roaring or raucous reveling,

people talk in hushed tones

Such a serene scene is my dream;

Does it sound unrealistic?

No. Not at all. Not to me at all.

 

The distance from ME to WE is not long

The path is straight and smooth

Start with a simple smile;

Respect, faith and cooperation are the tools to build bonds

And then camaraderie calms our minds,

brings us dreams, makes us confident

Now dream big, as big as you can

No strife or turmoil to distract you.

.

Dreams without peace is like a house without base,

Even a mild breeze can topple it.

 

My India

 

I open my eyes into a new dawn

to greet my country, fully enlightened, 

watch Ganga and Kaveri

stroll hand-in-hand,

blend in each other,

stream thro’ the wheat fields of Gujarat 

and the Punjabi bahu of my neighbour

in her nine-yards Arani silk

prepares sweet pongal

for the harvest festival of Tamil Nadu.

 

As I stroll through the city roads,

flawlessly clean,

no almsmen wander,

civil obedience virulent,

poverty hides between pages of books,

violence chucked out, vehemently, 

with a governance, free of vice 

and I murmur to myself

“India will ever be my pride”,

which was quickly silenced

by a whispered endearment.

 

Coils of wind carry a mellowed voice

the soul-healing hymns of Narayaneeyam

“Agrepa shyaami tejo nibhidatara kalayavali lobhaniyam… ”

put my heart fully at peace.

In a short while, a sensation in the air extends,

a velvety warmth touches my eyelids

and I find the lotus smiling in my courtyard.

 

Notes:

Ganga, Kaveri- Rivers in North, South India

Bahu -Daughter-in-law

9 yards Arani Silk -Sarees in 9 yards are worn by Tamil Brahmins traditionally on auspicious occasions.

Pongal - A South Indian dish.

Narayaneeyam- Devotional songs in Sanskrit on Lord Krishna written by Melpathur Narayana Bhattathiripad, sitting in front of Sri Krishna’s image at Guruvayur Temple, abiding by a divine intuition, which are read every morning as a daily ritual and the Lord wakes up listening to them.  The belief is that Nithyaparayana (daily reading) of Narayaneeyam will confer great healing benefits and bestows Ayur-Arogya-Soukhyam (health, freedom from diseases and happiness).

© Pankajam Kottarath

 

PANKAJAM KOTTARATH

 

PANKAJAM KOTTARATH: A bilingual writer, poet and novelist, is the author of more than 40 books including 26 poetry collections, besides a French translation of one of her books, also contributed poems, articles and reviews to numerous   journals/anthologies.  Her works have been discussed by literary critiques besides an exclusive book of research papers on her works. She is the recipient of awards like Rock Pebbles National Literary Award 2019, Reuel International Literary award for Lifetime Achievement 2022, Global Literary Leadership Award 2022 from Gujarat Sahitya Akademi & MS, Maharshi Ved Vyas Creative Writer Poetry Award 2023, ISISAR Literary Eloquence award, 2024, etc.