by Nuggehalli Pankaja
(Bangalore, Karnataka, India)
When the spirit receives the message
From the maker
To appear and answer...
Alas,why did it not think of this before?
And lead a life worth-while?
Loth to leave its roots,
It returns,
Returns to find its body - where?. . . . . .
In dust? Turned to ashes?
With all the beauty gone?
Never ever to behold once more?
To find itself a mere name,
A memory- a legend. . . . . .
A legend to be told –
To the next generation
By the brood ruling the roost?