We go on walking
Sometimes we look back
What a lot of memories!
Folding the pages thro’ out the book of life
They demand to stop on and off and peruse
At every perusal, eyes becomes springs of tears.
Yet we can’ t stop looking back.
Drawing out with hands from the depths of hearts
We quench the thirst of the memories
Sometimes not knowing which way to go
We become statues at the crossroads of life.
On the way we fondly pluck the flowers that greet us
While feasting our eyes
They prick the fingers sharply with a thorn
That goes deep to the heart; still unmoved
We hug
The affectionately approaching friend of fragrance
And still go on walking
We are little children clutching the little finger of time.
While walking
We fumble, but never stop walking.
Just as mother protects in the arms and helps to walk
And pushes out from the nest when the wings are acquired
Hands change, yet we do not stop.
Walking takes a different course
Cutting new impressions
Weaving new attachments
Knitting flowers of experiences
Making colored designs all the way
Filling up all hearts with light, we go on.
Now and then some whirl wind rages.
Mixing up all colors, it hurls dust.
All dreams turn up to be bubbles.
Life in its reality lies flat on the road.
The heart that is aloft
Descends with wings broken.
Stopping our flight, we walk on
Being hurt by the stone hurdles of experiences
Feet become sore.
Heart gradually turns stone,
Those that started with us
Are no longer with us after a distance.
The faces of those walking around us
Go on changing like computer graphics,
We never fondle even if a little lamb peeps out of those faces
We are not frightened if the same face becomes a wolf and snarls
Does one having a stone heart fear any thing?
Does one, turning stubborn, step back?
Now and then our wounds will be aching
Yet we stick smiles all over the wounds
And light karthic lampes in the tank of tears.
Still our walk with time continues
Though the past blinds our eyes
Though the present breaks the heart
And the future frightens being dark,.
Holding the lighted torch of hopes
Fearlessly we go on walking.
-Seela Subhadra Devi
Translated by Kodavanti Leela Mohan Rao
