IS THERE SUCH A MAIDEN?

IS THERE SUCH A MAIDEN? – ruba’i


When grass is green and red roses glisten in morning dew,
But their pristine beauty’s untouched ‘cause those who pass are few,
What thoughts do cross their minds and do they wish to be trampled?
Or, do they wish that they remain always so fresh and new?

None knows their mind but if I were ever to guess their thoughts,
I know that I won’t need to bind myself in mental knots.
If someone stepped o’er softest grass or plucked a few roses,
I’m sure that in their own thinking better would be their lots.

Why be born on this earth if in seclusion life will be?
How shall we ever sense pleasure if from pain life is free?
In giving is true happiness, in suffering pleasure.
If no one tastes the fruit it will be tragic for the tree.

So man, grieve not that you do have your moments of burden.
Who foregoes motherhood for pain, is there such a maiden?


* Written in Ruba'i form, using 14-14-14-14 format. A ruba’i is a four line quatrain with aaba rhyme scheme. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ruba%27i. I have written it as a 14 line poem consisting of 3 ruba’is and a couplet, on the lines of a sonnet.


M C Gupta
26 January 2008