Travails of a peasant who develops psychic powers of a seer of the dead |
SEER OF THE DEAD I don’t know how to describe How I have changed into this: A seer of the dead souls, Despite some limitations. Believe me I too was once Entirely a normal being Carrying out the routine chores Of a simple peasant’s life. Me I did not know one day, Enchanted will be my life; Whenever I pass the dead, Highly tense I would become. At once strong spiritual vibes, Totally would me engulf. In a few moments will I Assume high psychic powers. Most of the time I would speak About the dead man’s past life; So much so that dark secrets, Even, his I would reveal. Energy psychic this mine, Remains in me just a while. On assuming normal shape, Forgotten is what transpired. Though I forget my own words, Hemmed deep in the mind are they. Evening comes and when I sleep, Dreams repeat the scene again. Engrossed so I get in dreams, All memories come alive. During those active moments, Without fail it so happens: I see clearly the face That belonged to the dead man. Him I see as he looked in Last moments before the death. I don’t think it is a gift, Me I think it is a curse. I am no more normal now, Truly my life is disturbed. A day may come yet I hope, That will bring an end to this; I shall cease to be a seer, Of my “gift” I shall be shorn. No more wish I have for now. Soon I be curse-free somehow! * Written as a non-rhyming quatrain in 7-7-7-7 format * Awarded second prize in the contest "Invalid Item" where an acrostic had to be written around the prompt—“I had become what I am: a seer of the dead with limitations”. M C Gupta Created:11 April 2005 |