My Trumpet, I blow

My Trumpet, I blow

 

 

My trumpet here I blow,

my vanity I dare show

brought about by the providence

where only my words are evidence.

With palms over sacred gospels

pray I “Please believe my tales.”

Peep within me such, many more

but them, these two overpower and floor.

 

 

Biding adieu to my alma-mater

in nineteen hundred seventy- summer

to get prepared and to try my luck

I selected to stay in city, Cuttack

with free evenings to cycle around

by side of the river and stadium ground

where one day I met a man renowned

he was Dhyanchand, in hockey the wizard crowned.

With him in the college, I had a short interaction

smilingly he welcomed me on my such introduction

without the ego of stature, fame experience, and age

that awe me now “Such great can be so average.”

I was amazed, after coaching he was left alone

no crowd, no media were there for adulation.

Seized the opportune to stay with him every evening

for a month when he left after his stint of coaching.

Hazily I remember our farewell was over Cuttaki Bara

which with me every evening he enjoyed in plethora.

I was naïve immature and a miniature

he was acclaimed as best with great stature

in between us then nothing could stand as a bar.

as a simple man never he considered him as a star

Gossiped we during our walk from the moon to Neptune

his early ambitions, his dedications, and his fortune

Elaborated he upon his “ No” to Aflof Hitler’s offer.

For him, as a true Indian he cannot betray his mother

so also his son then an Indian hockey star told “ NO”

To Pakistan’s tempting offer, he also did not bow.

With him, I had spent and enjoyed an evening show

unlike today's stars no film stars, then he did know.

With my knowledge, I introduced heroes and heroines

on today’s scale, he would have many queens and concubines

His love was game and game of hockey alone

then past sixty-five his wizardry then matched none.

Though with god gifted acumen for hockey was his inborn trait

never even that age practice any day, any session he left.

From his revelations as I gathered then

Hand to mouth, he stayed, he did never complain..

No car, no attendant no security to guard

walked freely with me a naive then, the wizard.

Fail I further to recall his verbal communications

Repent I now the opportunities I could not hold on.

Reflecting on the incidents with the present as comparison

how greats remained hidden only histories can dwell upon

Man of values lies hidden but Lord takes his care

the man of success blows his trumpets to claim his share.

Future may distinguish them to revere

No wealth and power can accompany the bier.

 

 

 

 

Chimayananda the great monk and monastery master

a freedom fighter, world-acclaimed spiritual leader

in nineteen eighty-six came he to Damanjodi

to talk on the wisdom of intellect mind and body

anything more listened to with pin-drop silence

After duty hours many came and listened to with patience.

I was the fortunate one to attend

bur used to lose patience towards the end

as soon the last prayer was over

I used to start my car to travel two miles for dinner

giving side to no vehicle, me to cross

being a senior officer I though me as the boss.

Heard once all on a sudden

a speedy car behind my car blowing horn

hurting my ego as the boss of the land

I did not allow the car till my mercy took the upper hand.

After a while to my embarrassment and awe

in the car that overtook me, Swamiji I saw

with palms to gather, hands folded

touching, again and again, his forehead

saluting my ego and audacity then.

Still I think to me whether it is boon or bane.

Since thirty-three years, the posture reverberate in me

for atonement, I got no chance to pray with the plea.

Pray him now, bow him with bent knee

to take it as Brahma in him saluting Brahma in me

ignoring his greatness in his mortal frame

considering me a mortal man diminutive and lame.

 

 

P K Routray

inn the service of Lord

 

 

(N. B – True facts, Dhyanchand was the greatest hockey player India produced. Chinmayananda is a great spiritual master of India.)