LIGHT THE LAMPS

LIGHT THE LAMPS
- Dr. Mahendra Bhatnagar



The storm is petering out
Now in the new abode
Do light up a lamp
- anew!

Dreams - their dome
Once lit up with moon and stars
Lies deflated
- torn!
The harp-strings, all pieces
The ones that emitted melodies once!
I want to forget all
So please sing me a song
Fresh and sweet
In a new strain!

Ask me not
How many times
Did I fall and rise
On the stream of life
Many a time
My emotions lay dead in dust
And often soared in the blue,
Yet do I know -
I have drained the cup of poison to the dregs,
Sure do I know -
Unshakable is its effect!
But why don't you
To my lips bring the flask of nectar!

The desire still burns,
And the portals of heart
A tide of laughter knocks,
Dear! the love is still alive with all its aspirations,
Steeped in the flowery sweetness of spring
Several nights of enchanting mad moon still remains,
Talks of faith and betrayal
And thousand other trivial things!
Smile and smile a little
And be with me, my company!

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