India

a poem by Bhaskar Kannan

India, India, is my home, my country dear,
Nay, a holy great mother to everyone here;

The land inhabited by a multitude of Gods,
Who inspire in us, lofty, sublime thoughts;

The arena of work, worship and renunciation,
Of kind St.Teresa’s work and Buddha’s salvation;

Towns, rivers and hills – far and near,
Are Gods for us! and venerated here;

Snakes and cows, and even some trees,
Are worshiped here – they give us peace;

Here it is, that the Great One taught non-violence,
He it is, that “OM, OM” broke the sea of silence;

Born here, let me live, work and die here;
If ever to return, O Mother, come back here.