Hey Raj Pramod!

Hey Raj Pramod!

 

My very first vision

on Lord’s incarnation

through seven deities

with varying identities

but all finally uniting as two

as scriptural gurus view

“Field and knower of the field

as Prakriti, His illusory yield

and Purusha being alone He

His fun, both together see.

it, to sustain and it, to run

in this age of deterioration

when vices outweigh virtues,

falsehoods outwit trues

eyeing from Gem throne

much often to atone

the erring deviations

to ensure, His cosmos runs

Pramod! It is your benediction

that intended to enlighten

your pal, a fickle teenager

prone to commit oft a blunder.

Thus to you, owe I gratitude

over the years getting accrued

unpayable in proportion

in life after life under this sun.

Indebted me then, you further

with warmth beyond measure

Your hospitality

your guiding ability

that blessed me

the sacred Dham,Puri to see

with devotees settled around,

monasteries, monks abound,

sea , sea beach sunrise, sunset

many more, in me they are inset

that as a guide, you, I bow

then as a teen and as an old now.

Hey Pramode my roommate

as your batchmate, I blate

Indebted to you, I stay

shaped my life treading your way.

Together as teenagers

leaving our mom’s fingers

with apprehension and blur

arrived at our Alma-mater

lodeged to share a room

destiny destining, me, to groom

through the warmth of your friendship

my homesickness that also could chip.

The joy of living, four, together

sharing among one another

belongings from paper to nicker

thoughts within, when flicker

dreams and desires in open heart

pains and pleasure at their start.

spite at other, fights with other

innocuously often used to occur

cherish I the days with tear

aggrieved it too much now to bear

by your farewell from us forever.

Behold and listen to you, we, never

nectar from your lip,

smiles, melancholy that chip

Tears roll, heartaches

to pen a line, hand quakes.

your teenager dedication

sincerity and concentration

to win over a competition

may it be for an examination

craming a chemical equation

found no differentiation

a study table, a bathtub or a toilet

to be sure you met your set target,

once on an object your goal was set

to win it you had tricks in your basket

illustrations many awed us

your such deeds were glorious..

A superb genius you are

in our batch, you remained a star.

on carom dots your kill

on art canvass your skill

from stage to audience, your thrill

in class to top power of your will

for a friend first to foot his bill

all glitter in my heart’s closet

as rare pieces of jewelry’s gem set.

In real life and on stage, your role

many hearts your performances stole.

Your all-rounder ability

swelling your credibility

in service to lead

for colleagues, to plead,

a family business to flourish

further, it, to run and nourish

your efforts were phenomenal

enduring health issues, lethal

your thirst for share play

on your health did woefully weigh.

Often early vanishes a genius.

Inexplicable, why thus Lord does?

Pramod we beg your pardon

pandemic restriction permitted none

to bid adieu to you friend dear

together to shoulder your bier

with a heart-bursting loud cry

that will torment us till we die.

 

P K Routray

In the service of Lord

 

 

(Pramod Raj is my classmate in engineering wef 1965 to 1970 and was my roommate from 1965 to 1967. He left his mortal remains on july 19.. )