Essentials of Living: Nandini Sahu (Poetry)

Nandini Sahu

A World Without Walls

Like a pitcher of nectar it contains Truth,

the messages from Gita, Bible and Quran;

the ideals of Ram and Rahim

Christ and Lord Krishna come together--

Embrace all, purify all.

It is a world without walls

where visions of unity, joy, peace

dawn upon us.

Can we dream of this world?

Here spring softens  its colour into breeze,

the happy day shares

children’s laughter in the park,

the birds sing spring songs

knocking the blue bright sky.

It is a dream ecosphere of a certain height

from where everything looks slight.

A house of dreams

its doors, windows, rooms

are eager to be possessed.

Evolution is no time’s achievement.

Man may accomplish it

allocate his head aloft

in a world without walls

and turn round and round

around it.

***

The Iron Gate

The dove of my eyes

seeking to soar in the azure sky

looking for an abode

in the domain of Heavens

knocked

at   the door of time.

The iron gates of the sky

were closed for the dove

to clash with another

whirl into swirls.

Now I comfort the dove

to leave the easy escaper’s way

and stand breast to breast

with the iron gate.

Sleep  

sinking all desires

or go to the sea

where wind rolls to infinity.

Don’t flinch in unfounded fear.

Till life droops towards the sunset

don’t get gagged by tears.

You’re the dove of peace,

flap your wings

high up in the blue

heralding life

over the horizons.

Run through the morbid

wilderness of bliss

till the iron gates of life

shed their skins.

***

Bio: Prof. Nandini Sahu, Professor of English and Former Director, School of Foreign Languages, IGNOU, New Delhi, India, is an established Indian English poet, creative writer and folklorist. She is the author/editor of fifteen books. She is the recipient of the Literary Award/Gold Medal from the hon’ble Vice President of India for her contribution to English Studies. Her areas of research interest cover New Literatures, Critical Theory, Folklore and Culture Studies, Children’s Literature and American Literature. www.kavinandini.blogspot.in

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Setu, January 2021