Poems by Durga Patva

Durga Patva

 (1)

Friendship Day

It is an auspicious Day

When you came as a friend in my life

That day I came across in a world of gay

You taught me the real meaning to be alive.

I never seen before the light and ray

You sent on my path far from the mile

You sent it only for me in a prophetic way

The mortal world is divine, after seeing your smile. 

As a true friend you helped me in grasping the real;

Meaning of infinite wait! Between life and death,

You taught me to lead rapturous life with great zeal

Now I say you are a part of my life and full faith.

Your friendship enlightens all my dark rough way

Dear Friend, Stay! In me, with me as my eternal pray

Let's celebrate the vitality of this Blessed Day!

We will be true friends forever that I swear.

***

(2)

A Tribute to Meena Alexander 

Born in Allahabad, left imprint, by her literary wealth

A poet, essayist, novelist, and scholar of par-excellence

Studied in Khartoum and the University of Nottingham

Mentored by *Jayant, Kamala Adrienne and Galway

Came into limelight with her brilliant poetic ray

When death came she fought bravely but no help.

Suffered from Cancer, wrote in an insightful style

An Indian daughter and dignity with echoing voice

She will stay alive because of her poetic choice

Her life took a journey from India to New York

Intermingled with national and international folk

Slowly fell in a faint for whole worldly profile.

A polyglot, spouse of David Lelyveld and a mother

Of Adam and Svati led such a life none can cover

A precious gem shaded with Indian and western colour

Has high place in literature due to her poetic oeuvre

Scented this world with- novel, poetry and proper lecture

Not any other but, the greatest shine- Meena Alexander.

*Jayanta Mahapatra, Kamala Das, Adrienne Rich and Galway Kinnell

***

(3)

Life is What You Decide

Life is yours. You decide,

To make it slight or worldwide;

A fruitless tree or a fruitful ‘Kalp’

Expanse as a whole or limit in self

Repulsive a lie or erudite Truth

Yours decision, you approve.

Life is yours. You decide,

To make it slight or worldwide;

A worthless thorn or a useful flower

A terrible might or a daring valour 

An obnoxious mud or an eye-catching lily

The herculean tasks or have some silly.

Life is yours. You decide,

To make it slight or worldwide;

A hopeless oblivion or an energetic pun

A saturnine sorrow or a beaming fun

A barren desert or a fertile land

Fade reminiscence or a magic band.

Life is yours. You decide,

To make it slight or worldwide;

A roughly stone or a shining pearl

A tiny body or a soul unfurl

Vicious darkness or revitalising light

A mortal dwarf or a part of Divine Height.

***

(4)

To the Follower of Love

Love takes place in the heart of love

Love’s idol is worshiped in the temple of love

Love’s light enlightens in the eyes of love

Love tune dances into the ear of love

Love’s fragrance spreads in the garden of love

Love’s hope cures for the pain of Love

Love presence realizes in the soul of love

Love is everything for the whole of Love

***

(5)

To My Beloved Guide

How blessed I am! As I nurtured in the shower

of thy beauteous motherly love, and fear of a father,

light of rigidity, genuine water of thy teaching

My Golden time! You taught me true value of learning.

With a kind heart of motivation and patience

You helped me to strive for a high aim in tense

Seeing my potential, instilled me how to set afire

of lore: you gave me more than what I required.

Blessings of thy guiding hands and concerned smile;

remedied all my troubles. You are a heavenly profile,

a bold and serene spirit, supervised my research work

My gratitude is here, as you loved me more, I deserve.

To me, you are not a being, rather a realm of divine

Who enlighten my path and show me the core of alpine

My escort, my guide, has a heart and a soul benign

You are the transcendent gift of my lord’s sublime.

Dedicated to my guide, Prof. Nishat Haider (Lucknow University).

सेतु, नवम्बर 2018