GOD SAVED ME FROM MYSELF I had a friend so rich in fortune That I prayed to God, ‘I should be like him soon.’ In golden plates would he dine; in the softest beds would he sleep; The finest dress he always wore; in his life he never did weep. And so I prayed and prayed again That all such wealth I should gain. My Lord came near and whispered in my ear, ‘Son money corrupts men and makes them mean You’ll be wise only when you are poor For poverty gives you what In affluence you shall have not.’ II And then I saw a person big and strong. No man ventured to do him wrong. Never in disease was he in bed, Neither did he fear; nor did he suffer. I ran to my Lord and begged Him strength, ‘In meekness and ailment I shan’t lie low With awe and respect the world should bow’ But my Lord left me weak and frail Lest in arrogance I should go off my trail. God made me humble and so I always learn. Perfect strength and health, I’d never wish again III I heard about a man of fame. All the people knew his name. When he raiseth his small hand Thousands obey in this land. Fame, I craved for, from my Lord, ‘When I wish the world should act. When I die the world should cry.’ ‘What is fame?’, my Lord did warn, ‘When this life is dead and gone?’ Fame is arrogance in another form. Thou shall have not; you’ll be glad. In total fame people are sad. IV I prayed for this; I prayed for that. My Lord refused and refused again. All my prayers were thus answered Not with an ‘Yes’ that’d make me fall But with a ‘No’ that’d make me human. Thus was it that God saved me from myself.
important message Dear Sridhar This poem also like 'The lost slipper' conveys important message. God acts in mysterious ways for our ultimate good. Humanbeings have a faltering ego, sometimes leading right sometimes misleading and thats the main cause for misery, But if man believes in the maxim - " Be not dismayed, whatever betide, God will take care..." he is sure to be peaceful. Yes, by saving us from our small selves, God sees us through... Very nice poem, affirmative of the fact that God's presence and power lights our way.. ambika
Felt Bad First, But Now Feeling Elated! Dear Ambika, After posting the poem I felt very bad. There was not even a single reply or response. Not even a brick-bat. Then I thought the poem is so bad that people don't think it's worth commenting it. And then came your reply, gift-wrapped in beautiful words, as usual. Now I feel elated. Incidentally this poem was the first written work of mine. I wrote it in 1986 and Indian Expressed published it in its Youth Section (5/9/86) and paid me a princely sum of Rs.20/- my first ever income from writing. I'm very grateful that you read it and happy you liked it. regards, sridhar
Reread The first time I read this I thought, "What is wrong in praying for wealth, health and fame? Isn't that what we all aspire for?" That's why I didn't post a comment. We are travellers on this journey of life but once - so why can't I want my moment in the sun? Varalotti is treading on the cautious path - he's warning us that we may fall, and that god has deliberately not bestowed upon us everything that we wish for. I read it a second time and saw the depth. Although the poem is on a despondent and pessimistic note, it tells us to be grateful for what we have and not ask for more. It's a simple poem - like a message in a bottle, hoping that the message is read and understood. The poem depressed me a little - thank god today's a sunny day or gloom would have gripped me! Kya karen, yeh dil maange more! Sharada
Let Me Thank The Weather! Yes, otherwise I would have to take the blame on myself for depressing Sharada. Sharada, as you rightly pointed out, this poem was not written during the time of need but during a time of overflowing joy. Not when I wanted something but when I came to know that He knows what I want. yeh dil maange more! par more of kya? not of wealth, fame! but more of love, friends and wisdom! sridhar